Osan Sixth Graders Experience “The Giver” Through Ceremony of Twelve Simulation
OSAN, South Korea – Sixth grade students at Osan Middle High School stepped directly into the world of The Giver by participating in a Ceremony of Twelve simulation, an immersive learning experience designed to help students better understand one of the novel’s most important moments.
Organized by English Language Arts teachers Ayeshah Dean and McKenzie Polley, the simulation allowed students to experience what it feels like to be an Eleven—waiting, wondering, and ultimately accepting a community‑assigned role chosen for them.
In preparation, students completed a personality and aptitude questionnaire that asked them to reflect on their strengths, habits, and ways they contribute to a community. Using these reflections, teachers assigned each student a community job such as Nurturer, Caretaker of the Old, Instructor, Laborer, Scientist, or Guardian of Order. Just like in the novel, students were not allowed to choose their assignments.
The lack of choice immediately sparked student curiosity. Before the ceremony, students asked questions like, “How will you decide what jobs we get?” and “Are these our jobs for the rest of our lives?”
On the day of the ceremony, students dressed in black, white, and gray to represent the theme of Sameness. The ceremony followed a formal script, complete with a Chief Elder address and strict expectations for movement and response. Students were called forward one at a time and responded, “I accept my assignment with gratitude.” Applause was replaced with stillness, reinforcing the emotional tone of the event.
One student’s assignment was intentionally skipped, creating tension that closely mirrored the novel. That student, Lyra, later reflected, “I didn’t know why I had to stand to the side. I was nervous—like something went wrong.”
Observers noted how deeply students connected to the experience. “The students were fully engaged, and I could tell they were invested in making connections,” said Allison Lewis, Instructional Support Specialist.
Following the ceremony, students reflected through discussion and writing. Those who felt unhappy or uncertain about their assignments were invited to submit written appeals to the Committee of Elders “for Study,” strengthening students’ argumentative writing and critical thinking skills.
The simulation was supported by community elders Judson Allen, Darci Humphrey, Allison Lewis, and others whose collaboration helped center students in meaningful learning. “Activities like this help students move from understanding a story to truly feeling it,” said Darci Humphrey.
By experiencing the Ceremony of Twelve firsthand, students gained a deeper understanding of the emotions, themes, and questions that shape The Giver—and many said they will never read the chapter the same way again.
