Based on the events in the novel, we explored the themes of war, love ,and religion. Atticus did very well in identifying as the Civl War the rather abstract memory of warfare that the Giver imparts to Jonas. We then discussed the dystopian society's tradeoffs in terms of gains and losses. Atticus identified the benefits-no warfare, pain, or hunger. We continued to explore the detriments in the context of the Giver's Christmas memory , his favorite memory. We examined the role of religion in society and how family celebrations ,religious or otherwise, are emotionally satisfying. We noted how Jonas' parents criticize Jonas for asking if they love him because they consider "love" an obsolete useless term and quality. Additionally, Atticus participated in class discussion comparing the dystopian society's channeling all of its older population to the House of the Old to today's society's similar use of nursing homes and assisted living facilities . Again, we addressed the benefits and detriments of these forms of societal tradeoffs. Last, we reviewed Atticus vocabulary homework.