D Block: Utopian Assignment

1984: Utopian Society Activity (2 days)


Day 1:

1. Name of Your Utopian Society Choose a creative and appropriate name to represent your new society. Explain your choice in a way that makes the reasons for the name clear.
2. Declaration of Independence Write a brief statement (2–3 paragraphs) describing the reasons for your formation of a utopian society. In other words, what specifically don’t you like about current society? How has the current society broken trust with you? Why do you feel the need to form a “more perfect” society? You might refer to the U.S. Declaration of Independence for ideas.
3. Utopian Motto and Seal Create a slogan or motto that inhabitants of your utopia will follow, and develop a utopian seal. Explain the meaning and significance of the motto and seal you choose.
5. List of Rules Develop a list of at least ten rules that all community members will follow. Provide a rationale for each rule.
6. Governing Body How will the government of this utopia be structured? Will you have a democracy, an anarchy, a monarchy, or a dictatorship? How will your utopia make decisions? 2-3 paragraphs.

Day 2:

7. Invitation to Friends Write a persuasive letter to a friend or relative on why your utopia is the best one in which to live.
8. Journal Entries Write three journal entries, describing three days in your utopia. Choose days when different events will be occurring—for instance, a day when a utopian community member goes to school or work and a day when the person does not. Your entries might include details on work, family, worship, school, entertainment, and so on. Please write these in the 1st person.
9. Daily Itinerary How will utopia inhabitants spend their time during the week? Develop a hypothetical schedule that community members might follow during a typical day. Your itinerary can be a listing of times and activities, but it should be broken down by the hour (or a similar time period that is appropriate for your utopia). Please make this as detailed as possible.

Used by permission, copyright NCTE 2006

Welcome Back!

Today:
A+B: We started with the journal prompt:
Write a one page letter to yourself in 40 years, explaining what 2011 was like for you. What are your hopes for the new year?

List 10 resolutions for 2012.

In a attempt to make that transition from break to let's get back to work: We read "The Signalman" by Charles Dickens (not bad for a teaching transition if I do say so myself.)

Unlike A Christmas Carol, this story is a ghost story. Why do ghost stories continue to pull us in?