Community Rules
What is “release”?
Being sent away from the community.
What is Jonas’s Assignment?
Receiver of Memory.
What is the Giver’s role?
To hold and transmit memories of the past.
What is the first memory Jonas receives?
Sledding in the snow.
What materials should you bring to class every day?
Novel, notebook, writing utensil, charged Chromebook.
Why are precise words important in the community?
To control language and prevent emotional exaggeration or misunderstanding.
Describe Jonas’s reaction to the sled memory.
He feels joy and excitement at first, then pain.
Why can’t the Giver share memories with others besides Jonas?
Only the Receiver is trained to handle the emotional and physical burden.
What physical pain does Jonas experience in the memory?
A broken leg and intense cold.
When is homework due?
At the beginning of class. (By the DUE date, remember... you get points taken off everyday that it is late.)
Why doesn’t the community allow choice?
To prevent conflict, mistakes, inequality, and emotional pain.
Name two special rules Jonas receives.
He may lie. He cannot discuss training. He cannot apply for release. He may ask any question.
Why does the Giver say the community needs a Receiver?
So someone can advise the leaders using wisdom from past experiences.
Why doesn’t the community allow everyone to have memories?
Memories create strong emotions, disagreement, and unpredictability.
What should you do immediately when you walk into the room?
Grab your notebook, turn your homework in, sit down and complete the free write. Write for the full FIVE minutes.
What is Sameness?
The elimination of differences (weather, color, terrain, choice) to maintain control and predictability.
Why is Jonas frightened by the rule that allows him to lie?
No one in the community lies, so it challenges everything he believed about trust.
Why does the Giver appear tired or burdened? (Hint... what does he "carry"?)
He carries all the pain, loss, war, and suffering alone.
Why might pleasant memories (like sledding) still be dangerous to the community’s structure?
They create desire, longing, and awareness of what is missing.
What should you do if you are confused about the reading or directions?
Take initiative — reread the question, check your notes, ask a classmate appropriately, or ASK a teacher. Do not sit and do nothing.
How does the elimination of choice BENEFIT the community — and how does it HARM it?
Benefit: prevents conflict, stress, and unfairness.
Harm: removes freedom, individuality, emotion, and growth.
How is Jonas’s identity beginning to separate from the rest of the community?
He has knowledge others don’t, feels deeper emotions, begins questioning rules, and experiences isolation.
What does the Giver’s isolation reveal about the cost of protecting the community from pain?
Someone must suffer alone so others can remain comfortable — showing the hidden cost of Sameness.
Why are painful memories necessary for wisdom?
Pain teaches consequences, empathy, caution, and growth.
If you come to class unprepared, what should you do?
Take initiative — borrow a writing utensil, get the materials you need, and still participate fully. Being unprepared is not an excuse to disengage.