We read the classic novel 'The Giver' with the 6th and 7th grade and stage our own ‘Ceremony of 12,’ a rite of passage from the story in which characters are assigned careers. In earlier lessons, we work on taking the perspective of Jonas, the main character, so students can understand how the text uses foreshadowing to develop suspense. After reading chapter 8, we teachers — the Committee of Elders — don capes for our ‘Ceremony of 12.’ We honor our students’ special qualities by giving them ‘assignments’ based on their interests, aptitudes and other elements we appreciate about them. One student is passed over but ultimately given a special role, as Jonas was, which we call the ‘Receiver of All Things Kind.’

— Cristina Cappiello and Arielle Schwartz, co-teachers at MS 245 in Manhattan

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