EDU 214

Script
Jacob Valencia
Lesson Overview:

After finishing the book, students will be able to identify the apocalyptic
theme. They will also be able to identify key elements that define the plot.
Students will submit their work through Google Classroom.

The day will begin with a 30 minute classroom discussion.

 Script:
Mr. Valencia: Good morning, students! Welcome back to class. How is everyone
doing?​

Students: Good!​

Mr. Valencia: So, yesterday, we were able to finish Blindness. Does anyone want
to share their thoughts?​

Student 1: I thought it was an amazing book, but it was kind of confusing in the
beginning. ​

Mr. Valencia: Yeah! The author really paid attention to the amount of details in
the first few chapters. Do you guys feel like it was easier to understand towards
the end, though?​
Script:

Student 2: Yeah, everything started to make sense when the plotline rolled out more. I still have a few

questions, but they’re more-so about the message of the book.

Mr. Valencia: Like the themes?

Student 3: Yeah!

Teacher: That’s actually what we’ll be discussing today! You guys are more than welcome to pull out your

devices or notebooks to take notes. I’ll be showing you guys your assignment that’s due tomorrow night,

but for right now, just write what you guys think is important while we talk about it. Think of this sort of

like a create-your-own study guide for your assignment.

 Script:

Mr. Valencia: So, does anyone have any ideas about the message of the book?

Student 3: I thought the theme was about having a good or evil conscience, based on all

the characters’ decisions and reactions.

Mr. Valencia: Great, you are definitely onto something! It was sort of like the author

wanted to talk about humanity and what represented it. Any other themes you guys

found?

Student 4: I think the whole story seemed a bit chaotic, especially around the more

disturbing parts, so I assumed survival was the book’s main point.

 Script:

Mr. Valencia: The book is certainly about survival-- it’s a post-apocalyptic book.

That’s why there’s a lot of symbolism in the book. Yes, like you and *student 3*

said, survival, having moral or immoral consciousness, uncertainty, and needs of

human society are some main factors of this story! I’m glad you guys understand

what this book carries. What do you think human society needs to function at its

most basic level?

Student 4: Maybe cooperation?

Mr. Valencia: On the surface level, that is super important. But, looking past just

everyone working together, why else do you think societies have prevailed so

much?
Script:

Student 5: Trust! Or, a similar understanding of how things are run.

Mr. Valencia: Yeah! That’s why certain cultures do certain things, because there’s a shared sense of

understanding. In the book, when everyone went blind, it felt like the shared understanding was stripped

away.
Student 6: Oh yeah! The author had mentioned that at the end of the book!

Mr Valencia: Great point! The author points out how, even though society runs efficiently on this shared
understanding, the people of the book were “blind” to what went on past just themselves contributing to the
function of the city.

Student 7: Do you mean like when everyone went blind with the white sickness and they had to solely care
for their most basic needs?
 Script:
Mr. Valencia: Yes! Of course, you can also relate it to our pandemic when
it first started in March! A lot of people were going mad and feared buying
food and water! So many people had to get hospitalized and quarantine in
their homes

Student 7: I was thinking the same as I read the book, especially at a chaotic
time like this. It felt relatable.

Student 8: There was a scene where the “thugs” stockpiled all of the items for
themselves, and it reminded me of the families who purchased multiple water
bottles at Costco! I even saw fights go down with the seniors. It was so hard to
get a hold of foods without being in a bad mood.
 Script:
Mr. Valencia: I saw the same thing happen. It was not pleasant. I
think the book teaches us a lot about the human nature of society
and how we respond to situations like this. It feels like some sort of
test. Can anyone tell me what happened when the woman came
across the church?

Student 9: They found statues of Jesus with white paint covered on

his eyes! I felt like it was alluding to the loss of faith from the
believers because of the catastrophe. That, or maybe Jesus was just
as blind to his followers.

Mr. Valencia: Exactly! This book pays a lot of attention to the

symbolic meanings of these scenes. I’m glad you were able to draw
that type of connection from that chapter.
Script:

Mr. Valencia pulls up directions for assignment in Google Classroom (provided link to
classroom if needed, but students should already be enrolled from previous assignments).

Mr. Valencia: So, for your assignment you guys will be doing a book review! Everything
we discussed today will help you answer the questions. There’s a rubric just so you guys
know what I’m expecting. It’s due tomorrow night, and don’t worry, it isn’t a super long
assignment. But, it is 50 points!

Mr. Valencia (continued): If you guys have any questions, you can always message me
through Google Classroom, or leave a comment under the directions and maybe one of
your classmates may know the answer!
Screenshot of Google Classroom Assignment
Screenshot of Rubric for Students