Literature Circles Final Project

You’ve all been hired to propose a community plan for this island. How can this land be developed into a community yet still remain as close to a paradise? Identify and explain systems and strategies for the main components needed in a community.

Proposal Categories: Choose one of the following categories for which to create a Utopian Proposal.

C. Commerce. What goods will be made? What import/export decisions need to be made? What will be sold? Who will it be sold to? How will the wealth be divided? What currency will be used, if any? Who will do the work? For how long (retirement)? What is the motivation to work? How will they be trained? Who will decide employment issues?

D. Legislature: What are five governing laws for this society? Why is each needed? How will these laws be enforced? What is the penalty for breaking a law? Who will decide on additional rules and policy? How is this group/person elected or chosen?

2. Use the Three Worlds Worksheet to help generate ideas and contrast between a perfect world and that of your society and the novel’s society.

3. Choose a presentation genre: chart, story, report, article, powerpoint, diorama, list, collage, video, skit, or any other approved method.

q Demonstrates comprehension of novel and makes appropriate contrast to the policy structure in the literature’s community.

q Method of presentation is well-suited to project—allows demonstration of all criteria.

Dear Cecilia,

Amid my humanitarian efforts here in the West Indies, I have had the pleasure with working with a wealthy gentleman whose plight was conservation. Recently, he succumbed to the limitations of age, marking 98 years of positive influence in this island community. He descended from an affluent British family who held much influence and property during Dominica’s occupation in the 18^th Century. In his will, he bequeathed a piece of property of substantial potential to the brotherhood.

Six miles off the southwestern coast of Dominica, a small island has sat undisturbed since the early slave trade of the 18^th Century. The island is barren of modern infrastructure and conveniences—no roads, no plumbing, no power, and only remnants of early housing structures. It is largely forested and hosts an inactive volcano peaking at just under 6,000 feet. Natural springs run throughout the island providing constant moisture to the fertile land that makes up 30 percent of the island. Historical documents hold rumor of early diamond mining when it was occupied, but the restricted access for the past several decades has halted any further exploration of possible caches. The island is as close as I’ve seen to paradise. The tropical birds and fish are heavenly. The beaches on the Caribbean coast are a paradise. On the other side of the island, 18 miles over the rise and across the gradual descent, lies the Atlantic with its wealth of fish and surf. Words cannot accurately describe the beauty and mystery of this sacred place. Brother Boscow and I will charter a boat for a visit when you arrive in December.

Before you visit, however, you have some thought in store. Since the calling of the brotherhood is to live the simple life, thus my vow of poverty, we will not retain trust of this tremendous donation. It is my pleasure to inform you of the Brother’s decision to gift this property to you. The Dominicans and citizens of other nearby West Indies’ islands have long sought to tap the resources and space of the island, but it has been held privately for centuries. It is time to let the people of the land share in the bounty of this paradise. That said, there needs to be forethought to its development. A community needs to be established before such trade can begin.

As a teacher, you have the privilege of encountering the brilliant, creative, and logical minds. We trust in you to utilize these resources in achieving this awesome task.

We’ll visit more on this topic in person.

Much love,

Brother Mike