Skip to content
THE MILL INSTITUTE
  • School Support
  • Resource Hub
  • Donate
  • Contact
Menu
  • School Support
  • Resource Hub
  • Donate
  • Contact

Are We Oversimplifying Omelas?

  • Activity | Grades 9-12

Overview

“The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.” A utopian society, Omelas–and those who leave once they learn the price of membership–provides a compelling springboard to explore the concepts of citizenship, humanity, and sacrifice. As students monitor their personal reactions to Omelas, they also will discuss the very human tendency to oversimplify complex ideas and examine how oversimplification interrupts deeper understanding.

 

  • Created by: Ambika Spinazzola
  • Updated: April 27, 2026

Are We Oversimplifying Omelas?

  • Timing: 60-90 Minutes minutes
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Materials: Student Handouts
Open in Google Docs
  • Lesson Plan

  • “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” Short Story

  • Reflection Questions Handout

View the Document In New Tab
View the Document In New Tab
View the Document In New Tab

The Mill Institute provides training, resources and advisory support to teachers and school leaders so they can build learning cultures that support an open and rigorous exchange of ideas across their school communities.

Contact Us

  • info@mill-institute.org
  • PO Box 5082 Asheville, NC 28813

Join our Community

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay updated with the latest.

Facebook-f Instagram

2025 Mill Institute Resource Hub, All rights are reserved. The Mill Institute is a fiscally sponsored program of United Charitable, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 20-4286082. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. All funds raised by the Mill Institute are received by and become the sole property of United Charitable which, for internal operating purposes, allocates the funds to the program. The Program Manager makes recommendations for disbursements which are reviewed by United Charitable for approval