LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUE

Literature Circle

BY DION STOCKSAppropriate for High level 5th grade-6th

grade

Gathering Blue, a companion book to the popular The Gathering, is a unique book that explores the life of a girl with a disability in a future society that has suffered and fallen back into the rugged days with little pity for anyone who is weak. She must face this society and it’s rituals without any family support. Will she be able to survive in this rugged world that has become of this society or will she be taken to “the fields” to die? Your students will enjoy finding many different ideas and thoughts throughout this book such as the theme of strong vs. weak, primitive society versus today’s society as well as many others.

This unit is an attempt to assist your students in the process of learning and understanding literature on a deeper and meaningful level. Students are asked to complete several task throughout several chapters of the book. You will find a total of 9 sections to this literature circle for your students to complete. Please remember to take time to individually discuss ideas with your students in the group setting to ensure comprehension as well as to see their ideas and view points.

1.03 Interact appropriately in group settings by:

listening attentively. showing empathy. contributing relevant comments connecting personal experiences to content. monitoring own understanding of the discussion and seeking clarification as

needed.

1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:

describing personal learning growth and changes in perspective. identifying changes in self throughout the learning process. interpreting how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with

text.

3.02 Explore the problem solution process by:

studying examples (in literature and other text) that present problems coherently, describe the solution clearly, sequence reasons to support the solution, and show awareness of audience.

preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations.

3.03 Study arguments that evaluate through:

exploring examples that show a firm control of sound judgments, audience awareness, clear idea/theme, and the use of relevant and coherent reasons for support.

preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations.

4.01 Determine the purpose of the author or creator by: exploring any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda

techniques. identifying and exploring the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.

4.02 Develop (with teacher assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:

using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques. drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information. considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.

4.03 Recognize and develop a stance of a critic by:

considering alternative points of view or reasons.

remaining fair-minded and open to other interpretations. The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes. 5.01 Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading program by:

using effective reading strategies to match type of text. reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest. reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher. discussing literature in teacher-student conferences and small group discussions. taking an active role in whole class seminars. discussing and analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative

language, dialogue, and flashback. interpreting text by explaining elements such as plot, theme, point of view,

characterization, mood, and style. investigating examples of distortion and stereotypes. recognizing underlying messages in order to identify recurring theme(s) across works.

5.02 Study the characteristics of literary genres (fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry) through:

reading a variety of literature and other text (e.g., novels, autobiographies, myths, essays, magazines, plays, pattern poems, blank verse).

interpreting what impact genre-specific characteristics have on the meaning of the work. exploring how the author’s choice and use of a genre shapes the meaning of the literary

work.

exploring what impact literary elements have on the meaning of the text such as the influence of setting or the problem and its resolution

Index of Assigned Reading:

Section 1 pp. 1-20Section 2 pp. 21-55Section 3 pp. 56-86Section 4 pp. 87-114Section 5 pp. 115-129Section 6 pp. 130-146Section 7 pp. 147-166Section 8 pp. 167-190

Section 9 pp. 191-215

Section One:PP. 1-20

Character Sketcher:

Your job is to sketch Kira and to complete the role sheet.

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 5 questions using the role sheet as a guide, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible) Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. 1 MCEOGb. 2 Thinking Questions

c. 2 Own Your Own

Question 1:

The society that Kira lives in could best be described as:

a. loving b. harsh c. joyful d. normal

Question 2:

How do you feel about a society in which children are disposed of when they are considered weak?

Answers will vary- It shows that they are primitive, that they are only concerned with those who are strong enough to produce, the lame are weak and are of no use

Question 3:

Why do you think Vandara seemed to attack Kira- what could have been her purpose?Answers will vary- Vandara wanted the land that Kira’s mother had owned for her own use, she did not approve of the girl being kept of alive because she was weak

Question 4:

Page 15 paragraph 1 describes how Vandara was scared, how does this describe her character?

Answers will vary- it is a symbol of her toughness, her ability to fight and her strong will

Question 5:

Why is this ability for Kira to produce special weavings important?

Answers will vary- it may be her only way to survive

Passage Picker:

Pick 4 passages that exhibit the following. Be sure to use the role sheet as a guide:

a. metaphorb. importantc. foreshadowingd. on your own

1. Metaphor - Page 1 par. 2 “ She thought that she could feel…… small whisper of breeze at night.”

2. Important – Page 8 par. 1 “ An older child….and the boy grinned in reply.”

3. Foreshadowing – Pg 19-20 last par. “Kira had always had a clever way…if only she was allowed to stay.”

4. On Your Own – page 16 par 4/5 “ What would my mother…his spirit is in me, too.”

Word Wizard:

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words. Pick only 4:

Propelled p. 3 ¶ 1Acknowledgment p. 3 ¶ 3Identifiable p. 9 ¶ 1Methodically p. 9 ¶ 6Taunting p. 10 ¶ 1Tentatively p. 14 ¶ 6Malevolence p. 15 ¶ 1Apprehensive p. 17 ¶ 4Hesitancy p. 20

Author Informer:

Your Job is to find information about the author of the book. You should give information about past books, special awards, or other interesting facts. For information see the back cover or sleeve of the book. You may also use the following web pages for information:

http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/authors/lowr.htmlhttp://www.people.virginia.edu/~lbs5z/Lowry/Lois%20Lowry/

or use www.google.com to do your internet search- Type in the authors name

Example:Lowis Lowry first book was published in 1977 –A Summer to DieShe has written the famous Anatasisa Krupnik seriesReceived two Newberry awards for Number The Stars and The GiverTaught herself to read and write by 3 years old

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 2

Section 2 pp. 21-55Character Sketcher:

Using your role sheet, your job is to sketch Kira and Matt

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. 2 MCEOGb. 1 Settingc. 1 Problem/Solutiond. 1 Prediction

Passage Picker

Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:

a. 1 foreshadowingb. 1 scaryc. 2 importantd. 1 own your own

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:

a. Sputtering p. 22 par. 2b. Interweave p. 23 par. 1c. Apprehensions p. 23 par. 2d. Dispassionately p. 26 par 1e. Elite p. 31 par 2f. Contemptuous p. 37 top of pageg. Competent p. 37 par 2h. Vindictive p. 38 par 1

Connector:

Pick a passage from the 1st section and one from this section. What is the important about both of these passages to the story? What kind of knowledge can you gain by pulling out these two paragraphs?

EXAMPLE: Page 20 “ Now, without instruction…to stay.”- Leads to the idea of being able to have something to help her survive. A skill, which is important due to her disability.Page 33 “touching her scrap of cloth, she shook her head no” She found comfort in this piece of cloth. Was it possible that she would be able to draw some type of strength as well as a future job from this ability? This is important because we all have skills and strengths that we must identify in life. We must be able to master these skills as early as possible if we want to be able to use them effectively after we become older.

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 3

Section 3 pp. 56-86Character Sketcher:

Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character Jamison.

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 6 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. 2 MCEOGb. 2 Problem/Solvingc. 2 Prediction

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:

a. 1 informativeb. 1 surprisingc. 1 importantd. 2 own your own

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:

a. Mammoth p. 57 par. 6b. Inquired p. 58 par. 7c. Apologetically p. 59 par. 3d. Inert p. 65 par. 2e. Apparently p. 67 par 2f. Astonishment p. 70 par. 3g. Mordant p. 84 par. 2

Summarizer

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

EXAMPLE: Today we read the 3rd section of Gathering Blue. Kira is moving into her new home in the palace. She will be in charge of repairing the damage to the singers robe. It was interesting to see how she had never had running water and didn’t even know what the bathtub was for. This shows how hard her life was and how poor she was. She also meets Thomas, he is important because he is much like Kira. Taken as a young child to come and work on the staff that the Singer uses at the ceremony. He helps to explain to her all the workings of her new home. Kira also visits the old lady who will teach her how to do the dyeing of the thread. All of these things are important because it is the meat of the story, we have been introduced to several new characters who will play an essential role in the story as well as hints of foreshadowing.

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 4

Section 4 pp. 87-114Character Sketcher:

Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character Robe. Be sure to include a narrative describing it’s importance to the people. Try to show the important designs as described. Try to show what characteristics make it important.

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 6 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. 2 MCEOGb. 1 Fact/Opinionc. 1 Cause/Effectd. 1 Main Idea

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:

a. Symbolismb. Importantc. Foreshadowingd. Descriptivee. Mysterious/Intriguing

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:

a. Hues p. 87 par. 1b. Confrontation p. 91 par. 1c. Voluminous p. 94 par. 3d. Imperceptibly p. 94 par. 4e. Meticulous p. 95 par. 2f. Intricately p. 105 par. 1g. Disdainfully p. 110 par. 4

Connector:

Your job is to connect the book your group is reading to the outside world. This means asking yourself questions and writing a paragraph about one or more of them. Be sure to follow the role sheet that your teacher has given you.

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 5

Section 5 pp. 115-129Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character the beasts.

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 5questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. 2 predictionb. 2 characterc. 1 MCEOG

_____________________________________________________________________

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 4 passages that exhibit the following:

a. 2 Informativeb. 1 thematicc. 1 foreshadowing

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:

a. Mischief p. 116 par. 5b. Ravished p. 117 par. 1c. Colicky p. 120 par. 2d. Anticipation p. 120 par. 8e. Inflection p. 122 par. 5f. Indicating p. 127 par. 2

Summarizer

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 6

Section 6 pp. 130-146Character Sketcher:Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character Jo

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 6 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. Moodb. 2 MCEOGc. Compare/Contrastd. Problem/Solutione. Sequence

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:

a. 2 Importantb. 1 Informativec. 1 Descriptived. 1 Dialect

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 5:

a. Solemnly p. 132 par. 6b. Ignorance p. 134 par 5c. Inappropriate p. 135 par. 4d. Corridor p. 136 par. 6e. Captive p. 142 par. 8f. Mischievous p. 146 par. 3

Illustrator:

Using the role sheet, draw some kind of picture related to the reading.

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 7

Section 7 pp. 147-166Character Sketcher:Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character Thomas

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. Predictionb. Cause/Effectc. Main Idead. Settinge. Compare/Contrast

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 4 passages that exhibit the following:

a. Important

b. Fact/Opiniond. Symbolisme. Controversial

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 6:

a. Clamor p. 147 par. 3b. Illuminated p. 148 par. 8c. Infinitesimally p. 155 par. 3d. Quizzically p. 156 par. 5e. Treacherous p. 158 par. 10f. Incessant p. 159 par. 2g. Infectious p. 166 par 1

Connector:

Pick a passage from a previous section and one from this section. What is the important about both of these passages to the story? What kind of knowledge can you gain by pulling out these two paragraphs

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUE

Literature CircleSection 8

Section 8 pp. 167-190Character Sketcher:Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character The Singer

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. Descriptiveb. MCEOGc. 2 Symbolismd. 1 Point of View

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:

a. Settingb. Italicsc. Plotd. Importante. Mysterious/Intriguing

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 5:

a. Solace p. 167 last sentenceb. Intermittent p. 180 par. 4c. Emergence p. 181 par. 2d. Horrid p. 188 par. 8e. Passionately p. 189 par. 7

Connector:

Your job is to connect the book your group is reading to the outside world. This means asking yourself questions and writing a paragraph about one or more of them. Be sure to follow the role sheet that your teacher has given you.

LOIS LOWRYGATHERING BLUELiterature Circle

Section 9

Section 9 pp. 191-215Character Sketcher:Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character the Christopher.

Discussion Director:

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

a. Theme/Moralb. Compare/Contrastc. Italicsd. Point of View

e. Characterization

Passage Picker:

Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:

a. Importantb. Surprisingc. Symbolismd. Fact/Opinione. Thematic

Word Wizard

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 5:

a. Solemnity p. 191 par 2b. Courteous p. 192 par 5c. Delirious p. 202 last sentenced. Squalor p. 210 9e. Grotesquely p. 211 par 1

Summarizer:

Think about this book and what it means to you and our society today. What would it be like to live in a world like this or do we now? Would you have made the same decision that Kira did at the end of the story? What does this say about her own character?

Congratulations on finishing this study. I hope that you have found many new and interesting things.