Dystopia VS. Utopia Research | Dystopian Stories Activities | Utopian Society
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Create or supplement a Dystopian Stories Unit with this diverse, creative, high-interest teaching resource! The bundle of Dystopian literature materials include the following: Cultural Clashes! Utopia vs. Dystopia (Research & Informational Writing)Welcome to Dystopia: A Nightmare Disguised as PPrice $13.20Original Price $16.50Save $3.30
Description
The Dystopia vs. Utopia Research and Writing Project will elevate your dystopian short story unit to the next level! Utopia and utopian communities are the thematic focus of this research and informational essay writing activity.
This high-interest research project provides the perfect comparison for the element of dystopia, dystopian societies, and dystopian story settings.
The Utopia vs. Dystopia research project and informational writing activity provide an engaging supplement to any novel or short story that includes dystopian elements and themes.
Research Topic
The researched-based performance task begins with students researching one of four cultural groups. The four options, viewed as past and modern-day utopian societies, include the following:
The Amish Community
The Hutterites or Hutterian Brethren
The Shaker Community
The Farm Community in Tennessee
Research links for all utopian communities are provided! Students will engage in inquiry-based research using the Dystopia vs. Utopia Research Task Cards.
Print the task cards, use in Microsoft Power Point, or open in Google Slides to provide your students with direction during the note-taking process.
What makes this dystopia vs. utopia research project unique?
The Dystopia vs. Utopia Research Project requires a close reading and analysis of different types of texts. Students will be actively engaged as they extract relevant details and synthesize information from multiple resources focusing on the same topic or cultural group.
Synthesizing Information from Multiple Text Types
The multiple source types include digital resources, images/video/audio media, and informational texts – all focusing on the four cultures students will research.
Implementation is easy! The resources are available online and linked on a student handout for teachers and students to easily access from one location.
Final Research Project
For their final assignment, students will write informational essays based on their researched findings. Students will define utopia and draw a conclusion as to whether their researched community reflects utopian ideals.
Prior to writing, students will use their Research Task Card Answer Sheets and Informational Writing Graphic Organizer to plan their responses and to organize their essays.
They'll learn how to effectively extract and synthesize information from different types of resources to support their writing!
Writing Support
The final writing assignment will provide your students with the opportunity to learn how to synthesize evidence from multiple sources and to use textual support for their arguments and conclusions.
An Informational Writing Graphic Organizer is included. The graphic organizer will prompt students to cite examples from research and encourages them to logically organize their essay paragraph-by-paragraph.
Differentiation
The final essay also includes 2 differentiated options for students more or less advanced.
Technology Required
All resource links are active and up-to-date. Materials are compatible with Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Directions to print materials are included.
Students will need access to Google Sites for this project.
You'll receive the following materials with this resource:
- Pre-Search Image Analysis Handout & Activity: Dystopia vs. Utopia in Artwork
- 15 Research Task Cards with research questions and guiding prompts
- Research Task Cards Response Sheet
- Culture Clashes Google Site with a project introduction, description of the research task, and all source links for each of the 4 utopian communities (Amish, Hutterites, Shakers, Tennessee Farm Community)
- Culture Clashes Research Handout) for an alternative to using the Google Site)
- Informational Writing Topic and Graphic Organizer for organization of researched notes and essay planning
- Teacher's Informational Essay Grading Rubric
- PDF Teacher's Guide with Google Drive resource links and directions for Microsoft Office compatibility or how to download printable handouts
- Step-by-Step Implementation Information and Teaching Tips
This resource provides enough structure for all students to complete successfully but will hold special appeal for your gifted students who thrive when analyzing concepts more deeply!
Check out what teachers like you are saying about this resource!
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"My students loved engaging with the concepts of Utopia vs Dystopia in this assignment! I really appreciated the research element of it, which make students get engaged with their learning. I am using this as a precursor for our novel study on Ender's Game. Great resource!"
Kendra R.
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"My students were really engaged using this resource. It was a great way to introduce dystopia. I also really liked the end of unit project. My students were engaged in learning about the different cultures. It was a good way to tie in the "real world" with the classroom."
Carrie S.
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" I was looking for a good enrichment activity as follow up for a dystopian fiction unit we did in my Gifted and Talented class. This was perfect because it provided some real world examples and enabled the kids to critically think about whether a "utopia" actually exists."
Stephanie S.
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"Great resource I was able to use with very few tweaks. The guided approach to the research was great for my 7th grade students and made writing the essay much more focused."
Deborah R.
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"This was an amazing resource. So much work was put into it. My students learned a lot."
Lori K.
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"Great writing addition to my dystopian literature unit!"
Anna H.
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"The resources linked for student research are wonderful! Thank you so much!"
Dana K.
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"This is my absolute favorite unit. It was so fun and students really enjoyed it."
Gretchen F.
These resources and activities meet multiple Common Core State Standards.
Some examples include the following Common Core Anchor Standards for Writing:
TEXT TYPES AND PURPOSES
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
RESEARCH TO BUILD AND PRESENT KNOWLEDGE
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.8
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
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Expand your Dystopian Literature Unit or your study of the element of dystopia with this rich bundle. This resource is jam-packed with high-interest activities that your students will love! Check it out by following the link below!
