Unwind - by Neal Shusterman
Prereading Activity
The novel, Unwind, deals with many themes and issues. To get you thinking about some of the issues explored in the novel, you need to read and answer the handout we go over in class. This handout discusses "Safe Haven" laws, and how mothers can give up unwanted babies.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/call-for-safe-havens-renewed-after-newborn-baby-abandoned-in-halifax-1.3657738
abandoned_children_of_nebraska.docx |
Pre-reading Activity
We are also going to discuss the topic of organ donation. We will do this through group work/research.
Webquest assignment:
http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=79070
Role #2:
https://www.organdonor.gov/about.html
Watch video: What actually happens to your body when you donate your organs
Role #3:
http://www.organtransplants.org/understanding/
Watch video: Donation and Transplantation: how does it work?
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unwind_novel_webquest_pre-reading_activity.doc |
Week 1
Journal Entry #1 -
1)If you found out your parents/guardians were going to have you Unwound, how would you escape? Write a detailed escape plan. Things to think about:
Keep it realistic.
Would you take someone with you, or go on your own?
Where would you try to go?
What means of travel would you use?
How would you survive?
Journal Entry #1 -
1)If you found out your parents/guardians were going to have you Unwound, how would you escape? Write a detailed escape plan. Things to think about:
Keep it realistic.
Would you take someone with you, or go on your own?
Where would you try to go?
What means of travel would you use?
How would you survive?
vocab._week_1.docx |
Week 2
Discussion / Reflection Questions
2. Why did Connor take the storked baby from the house while they were trying to evade the police? What does this show about his character / personality?
3. Explain the story of Humphrey Dunfee.
4. How does Risa respond to giving up the baby? Select 2 quotes from the book that show her response.
Discussion / Reflection Questions
- What is “The Storking Initiative”? How is this similar and different to the Safe Haven Law?
2. Why did Connor take the storked baby from the house while they were trying to evade the police? What does this show about his character / personality?
3. Explain the story of Humphrey Dunfee.
4. How does Risa respond to giving up the baby? Select 2 quotes from the book that show her response.
vocab._week_2.docx |
Week 3
Discussion / Reflection Questions
Discussion / Reflection Questions
- How has Lev changed over the course of the story? What has caused this change?
- Connor uses a bold strategy when he finds Roland in the washroom with Risa. What did he do to try and solve the situation? Do you think this was a good strategy or was it too risky?
- In the US/Canada, organ donation is voluntary; you can choose to be an organ donor. In some countries the law says you are an organ donor from the day you are born, but you can choose not to be an organ donor. Which form of organ donation law is the better one in your eyes, choose to be an organ donor or automatically become an organ donor at birth, but have the choice to opt out of being an organ donor? Why?
- If every part of you is still alive but inside someone else, are you alive or are you dead? Can consciousness exist even if it’s spread out? What do you think?
vocab._week_3.docx |
Week 4
Activity: Comparison of the novel to refugee crisis.
Find the definitions for the following terms:
- Refugee
- Internally Displaced Person
- Migrant
--> How are these terms similar and how do they differ?
--> Key Terms Sheet
Activity: Video
We will watch the video - What are refugees and internally displaced persons?
Part Two: Mapping the Global Crisis
For this activity, you will analyze data on refugees and IDPs, and then map the information.
You need to do the following:
- Read the handout, Refugee and IDP Data
- What stands out for you while you read this handout?
- Why do you think people would leave their country?
- Why would they go to countries such as, Germany, the US and Canada?
- Follow the instructions on the "Mapping the Global Refugee Crisis" Handout
Refugee Crisis in Focus - Syria
Activity: Videos and Question Handout
Mapping a refugee's story
Instructions: In this activity, you will gain a better understanding of the complexities of one person’s experience by mapping his or her journey. As you read/watch their story, fill out your handout. Because each story is different, you may find that you do not have enough information to answer all of the questions in the second table. If this is the case, write “no information provided” in the space below.
Use the following link:
http://lifeonhold.aljazeera.com/#/en/portraits/home
Discussion / Reflection Questions
- “You see, a conflict always begins with an issue - a difference of opinion, an argument. But by the time it turns into a war, the issue doesn’t matter anymore, because now it’s about one thing and one thing only: how much each side hates the other.” Do you agree? Can you think of a current example to support your own viewpoint?
2. “Of course, if more people had been organ donors, unwinding never would have happened . . . but people like to keep what is theirs, even after they’re dead. It didn’t take long for ethics to be crushed by greed. Unwinding became big business, and people let it happen.” Is organ donation that simple or are there ethics involved? Can you think of a situation in recent times where ethics have been crushed by greed? Be sure you include one example to support your answer
vocab._week_4.docx |
mapping_a_refugees_journey.docx |
Week 5 Discussion Questions
Week 5 – 265- 335
Week 5 – 265- 335
- Why is this book divided into seven parts? What does each part's title and epigraph have to do with the chapters it contains? How does each section break set the mood for the next part of the story?
- Now that we have read the whole story.. Looking back, can you find any examples of foreshadowing earlier in the novel?
- How does the 3rd person omniscient point of view contribute to the story? Did you like the multiple perspectives or was it too much?
- Write a review of this book. What did you like/dislike? Would you recommend it? What rating would you give it out of 10?
vocab._week_5.docx |