Lake George High School’s 9th grade English class is starting a thought-provoking exploration of dystopian literature. To introduce the concept of dystopia, students were first tasked with creating their own ideal societies, or utopias.
Working in groups, students will be delving into a series of questions, brainstorming and developing their utopian concepts. Then, they will transform those ideas into Google Slide presentations, showcasing their unique visions of a perfect world.
However, the project doesn’t end there. As students dive deeper into their utopian creations, they are encouraged to reflect on the challenges and contradictions in building such a “perfect” society.
“I enjoy challenging the students’ preconceived notions of perfection and exploring the consequences when individuals don’t conform to their ideas,” said English teacher Carolyn Smith. “This theme is often seen in dystopian literature, and this project helps them understand unintended consequences.”
One of the key questions that will be guiding the students’ explorations is: “Every utopia faces the same problem: What do you do with people who don’t fit in?” posed by author Margaret Atwood. This question encourages students to consider the potential limitations and flaws of even the most idealistic societies.
“This project is really fun. It gives us a way to see how we could picture our own society and see the different opinions of everyone else and how they see society,” said Alonnie Ellis, a freshman.
Through this project, students are gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities of utopia and the potential pitfalls of societal perfection. By exploring dystopian themes and considering the challenges of creating a truly ideal world, students are developing critical thinking skills and a broader perspective of humanity.