6th Grade to Explores Alternative Interpretations of 'The Giver'

In a summary of The Giver, Common Sense Media wrote: “This book examines a utopian society thoroughly and fairly; it is this fairness that makes the novel so riveting and thought-provoking, and so perfect for triggering discussions. The author is true to her determination not to stack the deck for readers; the ending is deliberately ambiguous, with allegorical overtones, leaving readers to decide what they want to believe.”
Barnesville sixth grade students had a robust discussion about Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, having explored characters, plot elements, themes, and symbolism through a variety of projects.

Middle School Language Arts Teacher Tara Barnhart offered a choice of ten different projects designed to engage students based on their creative interests. Students were asked to create a book cover, illustrations, character diary, collage, comic strip, poem, song playlist, picture book, letter to a friend, or an alternative ending. Each student presented their project to the class, honing in on specific chapters, characters, and literary tools that piqued their interest.

Students commented that they liked having a choice in projects, not only because it allowed them to work within formats suited for their skills, but also because it made their participation as an audience more interesting. Book covers shared different takes on plot synopsis and author biographical information. Picture book presentations, comics, and illustrations prompted students to consider visual symbols differently than they may have imagined when they were reading the book. Diary entries allowed them to dig deeper into character traits and personalities. And, alternative endings allowed students to reflect on the pros and cons of the book’s notoriously ambiguous ending.

The class was split in their feelings about the ending, with about half the class disliking it, half being neutral, and only one student loving the novel’s ending. “I tried to create an environment where students could experience the power of full engagement,” Ms. Barnhart said. “Rather than passively reading and reporting on the text, the projects and classroom discussions required students to interact with the narrative and with each other to more deeply examine the complex subject matter. I think that is what the author intended.

The class had also watched the movie adaptation and compared how the filmmaker portrayed the story in ways different than the book, which left much more to the reader’s imagination. That led to a healthy debate about some of the more illusive concepts presented by the author, such as “pale” eyes and friendship, which students interpreted differently than one another.

As part of the presentation process, students asked questions of one another and offered compliments. This was the first oral presentation for the class this school year. They talked about presentation skills such as eyes contact, hand gestures, and voice projection.

Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences is an independent private school in Montgomery County, Maryland offering innovative preschool through 8th grade programs. Cross-curricular teaching encourages students to explore how subjects relate to one another, helping them to make connections that spark inquiry and deepen understanding. Small classes enable skilled teachers to engage each child in an academically challenging environment. Our 30-acre campus is our extended classroom, and we integrate nature into everyday learning. Barnesville is certified as a Maryland Green School by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, demonstrating achievement in curriculum and instruction, community partnerships, and best management practices.