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?

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)

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)

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.”

CHARACTER CHART

Put your Mitch characterizations below.  Use the format as follows:

TRAIT - adjective
SUPPORT - Write a response that uses details from the story to support your position that Mitch has that particular personality trait.  (p. #) <------- don't forget to put in numbers

The Sixth Tuesday – The Seventh Tuesday

The Sixth Tuesday – The Seventh Tuesday, pg 100-122

DUE DATE:  March 30

Vocabulary

entails (104)

reincarnation (108)

levitate (112)

diffused (113)

revel (116)

 

1. What      evidence is there that Morrie’s condition has changed since Mitch’s last      visit?
2. Discuss      Morrie’s lesson on the emotions of fear and pain.
3. Discuss      what prompts Morrie to tell Mitch how he wants to die and the significance      of his desire.
4. Examine      Morrie’s statement, “…the culture we have does not make people feel good about      themselves,” (pg 35 of the novel) analyze Morrie’s reaction to his loss of      the most personal and basic physical activities: going to the bathroom,      wiping his nose, washing himself?
5. Analyze      Morrie’s and Mitch’s dialogue about aging.

 

The Eight Tuesday – The Ninth Tuesday

The Eight Tuesday – The Ninth Tuesday, pp, 123 - 141

DUE DATE:  March 31

Vocabulary

a cappella (124)

stagnated (130)

ironies (131)

engender (141)

 

1. Compare      the quote from Ted Turner, “I don’t want my tombstone to read, ‘I never      owned a network,’” with what Morrie wants engraved on his tombstone, “A      teacher to the last”
2. Compare      and contrast Morrie’s philosophy about money and Mitch’s philosophy about      money.
3. Read Morrie’s      definition of a meaningful life, “Devote yourself to loving others, devote      yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating      something that gives you purpose and meaning,” (pg 127). Agree or disagree with this statement as      the best definition of a meaningful life.
4. What      does the statement by Mahatma Gandhi on pg 129 mean. “Each night, when I go to sleep, I      die. And the next morning, when I      wake up, I am reborn.”
5. Examine      the significance of Morrie’s aphorism, “When you’re in bed, you’re dead,”      on pg 131. What does getting into a      chair symbolize for him?
6. Morrie      and Mitch have a conversation about slowing down and listening. Discuss Morrie’s suggestions about      making people more important than things.
7. Compare      how Morrie’s father died with how Morrie is dying. How is it different?

The Tenth Tuesday – The Eleventh Tuesday

The Tenth Tuesday – The Eleventh Tuesday, pp. 142 - 159

DUE DATE:  March 31

Vocabulary

intuitive (143)

calisthenics (152)

alabaster (152)

inherent (154)

 

1. Discuss      Mitch’s tenth Tuesday with Morrie and how it affects Mitch, Janine and      Morrie.
2. Examine      Mitch’s reflections on marriage and Morrie’s response to his question      about why so many people have problems in married. Discuss Morrie and Charlotte’s marriage.
3. Discuss      the conversation between Mitch and Morrie about Job. What do you think of Morrie’s response?
4. Discuss      the progression of Morrie’s illness and how Mitch has changed in the      months since his first visit to Morrie.
5. Analyze      how Morrie views our culture and compare it to his earlier discussions      about culture .

The Audiovisual – Part Three – The Thirteenth Tuesday

The Audiovisual – Part Three – The Thirteenth Tuesday, pp. 160 -180

DUE DATE: April 1

Vocabulary

tenor (160)

stoic (160)

mantra (163)

patriarch (165)

whimsical (165)

raspy (174)

nurtured (174)

exotic (176)

 

1. Discuss      the changes on Morrie’s third appearance on “Nightline”. Note the changes in the atmosphere since      the first visit. Analyze his final      words to the TV aaudience and the significance of his parting words to Ted      Koppel.
2. “Forgive      yourself before you die. Then      forgive others” (pg 164) Why might      Morrie need to forgive himself and others.
3. How      has Morrie and Mitch’s relationship changed. What does Morrie ask Mitch to do when      Morrie is dead. Why do you think he      says this?
4. Discuss      Morrie’s “near death” experience the night before Mitch comes for the      thirteenth time. What is the lesson      that Morrie wishes to convey on this occasion.
5. What      is a perfect day according to Morrie. What is Mitch’s response to Morrie’s perfect day?
6. Discuss      Mitch’s concerns about his brother and examine Morrie’s advice. 

The Fouteenth Tuesday – Conclusion

Name ________________________________ March 9, 2007

Tuesdays With Morrie Study Guide Red

 

The Fouteenth Tuesday – Conclusion, pp. 181 - 192

DUE DATE:  April 1

Vocabulary

buoyant (182)

hospice (183)

 

1. Examine      evidence that Morrie’s final days have arrived and the effect on those      involved.
2. Discuss      Mitch’s and Morrie’s farewell visit. What tells us that they love      one another?
3. Why      does Mitch entitle the chapter about Morrie’s death “Graduation”?
4. Analyze      Mitch’s reflection and his actions in the conclusion of the book.
5. Examine      the benefits gained from Mitch’s and Morrie’s “final thesis”.