The world that Jonas, his friends and family, and the Giver live in is a lot different than our world. Everybody dresses in similar colors and styles. Feelings are not often expressed. People do not tell their family or their friends that they love them, or that they are feeling angry or sad about something. Can you imagine? You will hear some things that may not make a ton of sense to you. Look at some of the words below and try and make a prediction about what you think they mean. Then, read the blurb below the word to see if you were right!
CEREMONY OF TWELVE
The Ceremony of Twelve is like a birthday. Can you think back to your last birthday? Did you celebrate with cake and ice cream? In the world of Jonas and his friends and family, instead of a 'birthday,' they have a Ceremony of whatever age they are turning. Jonas is anxious about the Ceremony of Twelve, because he will find out what his future job will be.
RELEASE
Release means that someone has died. Jonas does not know this yet, but he will figure it out. It's a secret that you know and he doesn't!
*A NOTE FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, TEACHERS
If you would like to talk to your child/student/friend about 'Release' or death in general, here are some resources you may find helpful:
Autism Speaks: Bereavement and Grief Resources_
The Fred Rogers Company: Dealing with Death
If you would like to talk to your child/student/friend about 'Release' or death in general, here are some resources you may find helpful:
Autism Speaks: Bereavement and Grief Resources_
The Fred Rogers Company: Dealing with Death
THE STIRRINGS
The Stirrings are a moment when Jonas begins to look at Fiona like he wants to be her boyfriend. He has a dream about it and shares it with his family.*
*A NOTE FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, TEACHERS
If you would like to talk to your child/student/friend about 'The Stirrings,' here are some resources you may find helpful:
Autism Speaks: Helping Your Child Through Puberty
The Autism Helper: Teens on The Tenth
Talking to Kids about Crushes
Video About Kids and Crushes
A FEW LAST THINGS...
Time moves very strangely in this play. There may not be something that symbolizes the end of one day and the beginning of the next. Remember that Jonas is the main character. Pay close attention to him, and you should not have a difficult time following. You can also pay attention to the projections on the back wall. They will countdown the days to the Ceremony of Twelve. Another example of time moving in a strange way occurs when the Chief Elder calls the children forward at the Ceremony. To propel the action forward, she skips counts in an unusual way. This is only done to help tell the story, and is ok.
It is ok to feel sad, confused, happy, or anxious while watching the play. A lot is happening in this story. Remember, it is just a story, and the people you see on stage are actors who are just pretending. When the show is over, everybody is ok.
It is ok to feel sad, confused, happy, or anxious while watching the play. A lot is happening in this story. Remember, it is just a story, and the people you see on stage are actors who are just pretending. When the show is over, everybody is ok.