The Huguenot8 Partnership

The Curriculum – The Syllabus, pp. 1 - 13

The Curriculum – The Syllabus, pp. 1 - 13

DUE DATE:  March 20

Vocabulary:

syllabus (5)
sociology (5)
inexplicably (6)
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (7)
theology (8)
demise (10)

CHOOSE ONE OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO RESPOND TO.  PLEASE IDENTIFY WHICH QUESTION YOU ARE RESPONDING TO BY NUMBER.  Identify yourself in your comments as we discussed in class.  First Initial, Last Initial. Use my email address as your email link.  Do not put in your own email address.

1. What is the purpose of the curriculum?
2. What are the early symptoms of Mitch’s disease? What is the progression after the diagnosis?  Research ALS online. Why is      Morrie’s diagnosis considered a “death sentence”?
3. What is Charlotte’s initial reaction to the diagnosis? What does it mean when Morrie says “he felt as if he were dropping  into a hole.” (pg 7-8)
4. What is Morrie’s approach to dying and how does he incorporate his years of teaching into his impending death?

 

The Curriculum – The Syllabus, pp. 1 - 13

DUE DATE:  March 20

Vocabulary:

syllabus (5)
sociology (5)
inexplicably (6)
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (7)
theology (8)
demise (10)

CHOOSE ONE OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO RESPOND TO.  PLEASE IDENTIFY WHICH QUESTION YOU ARE RESPONDING TO BY NUMBER.  Identify yourself in your comments as we discussed in class.  First Initial, Last Initial. Use my email address as your email link.  Do not put in your own email address.

1. What is the purpose of the curriculum?
2. What are the early symptoms of Mitch’s disease? What is the progression after the diagnosis?  Research ALS online. Why is      Morrie’s diagnosis considered a “death sentence”?
3. What is Charlotte’s initial reaction to the diagnosis? What does it mean when Morrie says “he felt as if he were dropping  into a hole.” (pg 7-8)
4. What is Morrie’s approach to dying and how does he incorporate his years of teaching into his impending death?

JOURNAL ENTRY #1

DUE DATE:  March 20

JOURNAL - Would you rather die immediately and unexpectedly or would you rather die as expected after a long illness?  Why?

The Student – Orientation, pp. 14-31

The Student – Orientation, pp. 14-31

DUE DATE:  March 22

Vocabulary:
insatiable (16)
philosophies (18)
aphorisms (18)
narcissist (21)
insidious (22)
gaunt (27)
deferments (30)

1. Type A people are characterized as: ambitious, highly competitive, always in a hurry, easily annoyed, feeling      always under a constant time pressure, impatient. Type B people are characterized as: non competitive, less driven, patient,      easy-going, relaxed, at peace with themselves and their surrioundings. Use these two types of personalities to contrast Mitch and Morrie.
2. Examine Mitch’s reflections on the 16 years since he last saw Morrie and discuss      what event most impacts him.
3. Analyze the changes in Mitch’s life after his uncle’s death. What chance circumstance will alter his      life?
4. Examine Morries’ physical and mental condition during his first appearance on      “Nightline” and discuss how Ted Koppel first years about Morrie and      arranges to have him on “Nightline.”
5. Analyze Koppels’ interview with M orrie: Morrie’s initial reaction, the subjects they discuss and the interaction between Koppel amd Morrie.
6. Analyze the personification of death, “... he was not about to powder its nose”      (pg 21)
7. Discuss the relationship that Mitch and Morrie have in 1976. What does this reveal about both of      them.
8. Analyze Mitch’s first visit with Morrie after he learns of Morrie’s illness. Describe his actions in terms of his type A traits.
9. Note the following metaphors and explain what they are trying to tell us:
   1. Time:       “water going down an open drain” (p.15)
   2. Morrie:       “lightening rod of ideas” (pg. 18)

JOURNAL #2

DUE DATE:  March 21

JOURNAL  What is your personality type?  Take this test and determine if you are an A type, a B type or a mixed type.   In your online journal entry for this week, identify which type you are and what it means for you.   

The Classroom – Taking Attendance, pp. 32 – 47

The Classroom – Taking Attendance, pp. 32 – 47

DUE DATE:  Sunday March 25 

Vocabulary
gingerly (35)
tabloids (41)
paparazzi (41)
lamented (42)

1. Exampine Mitch’s thoughts about his past during his visit with Morrie. Why does he become introspective, or self reflective?
2. Contrast Morrie’s physical condition with his mental state. Analyze his affect on Mitch. Note Morrie’s aphorism about dying. What does it mean and do you agree with      it?
3. Discuss Morrie’s explanation of how he will die and compare with the information      about ALS. Analyze the metaphor,      “My tank is almost empty” (pg 37)
4. What does the “tension of opposites” (pg 40) mean? Apply it to Mitch’s life after      college. Note the metaphor of      comparing life to a wrestling match. Discuss the tension of opposites in your own life. Do you agree with Morrie’s conclusion?
5. Examine the effect on Mitch of his first visit with Morrie. How does it impact on his perception of      his life now.
6. Discuss the newspaper strike and examine its effect on Mitch.
7. Discuss Morrie’s continuing influence on Mitch during his college years.
8. What does it mean that Morrie is a “bridge” (pg. 33)

JOURNAL #3

JOURNAL: keep a list of Morries aphorisms and choose 3 or more to respond to on different days.  You can just post a comment or tell a memory or write a poem or a memory that relates to it.  Leave THREE entries over three different days for this assignment

The First Tuesday – The Second Tuesday

Name ________________________________ March 9, 2007

Tuesdays With Morrie Study Guide Red

 

The First Tuesday – The Second Tuesday   pp. 48 – 61

DUE DATE:  Sunday March 25

Vocabulary

atrophied (48)

cynical (50)

thesis (51)

time warp (55)

 

1. Analyze      Morrie’s increasing dependency on others and his reaction to this.
2. Examine      the conversation between Mitch and Morrie about world events and the      effect these events have on Morrie. How does Mitch react?
3. Examine      the teaching tactics of “silence” and the that Morrie uses. Why does he use this tactic and is it a      successful one? How would you related      to the tactic if you were his student?
4. Why does      Mitch bring food to Morrie?
5. Examine      Morrie’s observations about self-pity. What feels terrible to him? What does he still have to be thankful for?

JOURNAL #4

JOURNAL: Name 3 world events that you can remember that have occurred in your lifetime. How have these world events affected you personally?  If they haven't affected you directly, are there any indirect effects that you don't have to personally think about, but may have an impact on you, nonetheless?

If you're having trouble remembering events, jog your memory here.

NOTICE

Congratulations!  We are now the first class in New Rochelle to have their own class blog.  You may continue to put your responses into the comments sections.  Part of the agreement was that comments be moderated.  That means that you won't see them right away, but as soon as I see them in my email (because they come to me in email), I will publish them.  So don't repost just because you don't see your work, yet.

  I will discuss the blog further with you on Monday.  Have a good weekend!

               Ms.Hill

P.S. Remember the following:

1) Don't forget to list the words with  definitions for each assignment.
2) Also.... spell check and use correct punctuation in your responses.  Use WORD to write your response.  It will clue you in to errors before you post. 

The Third Tuesday – The Professor

The Third Tuesday – The Professor, pg. 62 - 79

Due Date:  March 26

Vocabulary

nostalgia (63)

ambivalence (64)

grapple (65)

opiate (67)

communal (74)

murky (75)

hawked (75)

Yiddish (76)

exploited (78)

 

1. Mitch      brings a tape recorder to his sessions with Morrie. Why does he do this? When he writes that “tapes… are a      desperate attempt to steal something from death’s suitcase” what does he mean? 
2. Morrie      states that everyone is troubled with the question, “What if today were my      last day on earth?” What does it      mean to be aware that you could die at any minute? What purpose does regret have in a      person’s life?
3. Morrie      appears on “Night Line” for the second time, Ted Koppel asks him his      decline. As Morrie’s health declines, how will he be able to show his love      for his friends?
4. How      did Morrie’s early life help to shape the adult he became?
5. “Agree      or disagree with the quote that follows: “A teacher affects eternity; he      can never tell where his influence stops.”