The Giver Lois Lowry graphic novel full novel study lessons HERE on Teachers Pay Teachers.

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The Giver Lois Lowry graphic novel is one of the most popular and enduring books in modern classrooms. This beloved graphic novel has been around for over two decades, but its themes are timeless. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best ways to teach The Giver to students, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the book’s themes and messages.
Start with an Introduction: Before diving into the text itself, it’s important to introduce the book to your students. Discuss important topics such as its setting, characters, and main ideas. Ask your students questions that will help them make connections between what they already know and what they will learn from The Giver. For example, you could ask questions like: What do you think life would be like without memories? How do you think people would react if their choices were taken away? These types of open-ended questions can help your students get more invested in their reading journey.
Encourage Conversation and Debate: As you read through the novel with your class, take time to encourage conversation and debate among your students about key moments or decisions made by characters throughout the book. This kind of discussion helps students better understand the book’s themes and encourages them to think critically about how those themes apply in their own lives. Additionally, having these kinds of conversations prepares students for future discussions on other books or topics they may encounter in college or beyond.

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Engage with Visuals: Because The Giver is a graphic novel, it provides unique opportunities for visual engagement with content. After reading each chapter or section together as a class, have your students draw out different scenes from the book or create storyboards that illustrate major plot points or character arcs. This helps children visualize and comprehend difficult concepts while also allowing them to express themselves creatively. Plus, drawing out scenes can provide an interactive way for children who might not feel comfortable talking in front of others to participate in class discussions about the book’s content.
Create Discussion Questions
The best way to get your students engaged in the text is to create discussion questions and activities related to it. Encourage your students to think critically about what they read and take the time to really discuss their thoughts on the plot, characters, themes, and more. You can also use these questions and activities as writing prompts for assignments or essays related to the book.
Integrate Technology into Your Lessons
These days there are so many tools available that you can use to help make your lessons come alive for your students. Incorporating technology into your lessons is a great way to show how literature applies in our lives today. For example, you could assign a research project using online resources such as databases or video clips related to the novel’s themes or setting, or you could ask them to create a multimedia presentation based on something they learned from the book.
Discuss Social Issues
The Giver touches on several important social issues such as freedom of choice and responsibility that can be discussed in class. Ask your students what they think about these topics and how they relate it back to their own life experiences. These conversations will help them understand the importance of making informed decisions for themselves and for others around them.
Teaching The Giver is a great way for educators to help their students develop critical thinking skills while engaging with a classic text full of timeless lessons on freedom and choice. By introducing key elements from this beloved graphic novel before diving into the text itself; encouraging conversation and debate among your students; and engaging with visuals such as drawing scenes or creating storyboards; educators can use this book as a powerful tool for teaching children how to think deeply about literature and its messages on human nature.
The Giver by Lois Lowry full novel study lessons HERE on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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