copyright 1999, Sirpa Grierson

Activities compiled by Trisha Cheney What makes a Writer Write (Lesson Plan): http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview?LPid=141 T his activity is useful in getting the students to think about a writer’s motive. They will look at how a writer writes and also what motivates that writing. Great Expectations is looked at as a coming of age story, much like Tuesdays with Morrie. Guide to writing a basic essay http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/ This guide is helpful on many levels. It gives the basic outline one should use when preparing to write an essay. It is simple and straightforward. Embracing Life and Facing Death http://www.clal.org/palliative_excerpt.htm This article describes how death is approached while still embracing life. In the book Tuesday’s with Morrie, this is exactly what Morrie does. This article is an interesting approach to death; it is a more optimistic approach. Hospice Net, Preparing for Approaching Death http://www.hospicenet.org/html/preparing_for.html This is also an article about death, and how to prepare to lose a loved one. This one unlike the one before is from a more disconnected stance. It is not as optimistic. It will be good for the students to see the contrast in the approaches. The book, Tuesdays with Morrie, deals with the death of a central character. This information will help prepare the students for discussion of death. Lou Gehrig’s Disease http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/conditions/als.html This article describes the symptoms and debilitating effects of ASL. Morrie suffered from this disease. In looking at the effects of the disease the students will be able to more fully comprehend what is happening to Morrie throughout the story. Decades of the 20th Century Project (Lesson Plan) http://www.lessonplanspage.com/printables/PLASS20thCenturyLitH S.htm Through this lesson students will research and classify the great achievement of the 20th century. In the book Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie talks about today’s society. Through doing this lesson, the students will be more aware of the society Morrie is talking about. Ben Franklin’s Autobiography http://www.lessonplanspage.com/printables/PSSLABenFranklinsVirt ues- NewFor21stCenturyLitHS.htm After reading excerpts from Ben Franklin’s autobiography, students outline the values of that time period. Then in groups the students will outline 10 values or virtues of today’s society. This will help prepare the students in understanding the book Tuesdays with Morrie. Characterization http://www.lessonplanspage.com/printables/PLACharacterizations512.htm Students will develop a narrative describing their theory of a character. They will use materials provided by the teacher to help in developing their narrative. This will help the students recognize characterization and the development of characters in the book, Tuesdays with Morrie. Message to the Future http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/arch/ancient3.html Students will write a proposal for a monument to commemorate an important event or to honor a positive belief or value. This will help the students in thinking about the values and beliefs that our society holds today. It will prepare the students for critically thinking about the book, Tuesdays with Morrie. How to conduct an Interview Students will learn important strategies in conducting a meaningful interview. This will give them insight into the way in which Mitch Albom interviews Morrie in the book. Created By: Trisha Cheney, Brigham Young University (ScEd 276), Provo, Utah Reading Group Guide http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides/tuesdays_with_morrie.as p This reading guide has many questions and concepts that can be used in conjunction with the reading of Tuesdays with Morrie. Book Review http:www.koolindians.com/reading_care/albom.php3 This review addresses the style and organization of the book, which is key in understanding the main themes of the book. The book is written simply, and is separated into chapters titled to emphasize the academic nature of the book. Lessons before dying http://www.dartmouthh.edu/~thedc/winter2000/tuesdaysmorrie.html This review focuses mainly on the style Albom used. While reading the book, the concept of style can be introduced to the class. Tuesdays with Morrie (Reading Guide) This guide has questions for class discussion that will help the students understand the main concepts and themes of the book. Created by: Elaine Rawlings, Lone Peak High School, American Fork, Utah What is a Tuesday Teacher? http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/results/results_single.jhtml?nn= 5 This article is an analysis of the kind of teacher Morrie ultimately was and wants everyone to be. This will be basis for good discussion in the classroom as the students are reading the book. Morrie on Nightline http://abcnew.go.com/houseads/ros_poster_160x600/news_ros_poster_ 160x600.html This is a synopsis of Nightline’s experience with Morrie Schwartz. The students and teacher can use this information in gaining a deeper understanding of who Morrie Schwartz was and his influence over vast numbers of people. Related Booklist http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Booklists.html This is a list of books that have relative topics to Tuesdays with Morrie. They can be read in conjunction with, preceding, or after reading the book. Recommended books for kids & teens http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Kids.html This list is specifically for kids and teens. The themes of these books relate directly to the themes in Tuesdays with Morrie. Suggested Classroom Activities in conjuction http://www.swc.cc.ca.us/~library/tuesdays.htm This is a compilation of numerous activities that can be incorporated in different areas of study that relate to the reading of Tuesdays with Morrie.. A Letter from the Author http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/AlbomLetter.html This is a letter from Mitch Albom. In this letter he speaks of Morrie and his continued influence in his life. Back to Top Reading Activities (compiled by Jessica Fink) Adams, Marilyn. “ALS, like a terrorist, kills without partiality.” USA Today 10 Jul. 2004: D4. Read this article about a woman watching her husband die of ALS in order to help students understand the nature of the disease. Albom, Mitch. Interview with Amazon.com. Amazon.com. 15 Oct. 2004. < http://www. amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/feature/10830/102-9767305-6984153>. This interview answers questions students might have about how much Mitch’s time with Morrie changed Mitch’s life. Albom, Mitch. “Teach What You Know.” Project Ideas. USA Today. 15 Oct 2004. <http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/2000_articles/000903diffday.html>. This article by Albom is a great way to inspire students to act on what they’ve read and try to make a difference. Anderson, Sherwood. “Brother Death.” The Egg and Other Stories. New York: Penquin Classics, 1998. Use this short story about a small child’s epiphany in conjuction with talking about personal narratives and key points in life. Auden, W.H. “September 1, 1939.” Another Time. New York: Random House, 1940. Read selected passages of the poem and discuss how it relates to Morrie’s condition, character, and philosophy. “Celebrating Our Lives, Our Stories.” Tuesdays with Morrie: Events. Duluth Public Library. 15 Oct. 2004 http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Events. html>. This activity could be used to teach personal narratives along while reading the novel. “Discussion Questions.” Reading Group Guides.com. 15 Oct. 2004. < http://www. readinggroupguides.com/guides/tuesdays_with_morrie.asp>. Use this as a prompt for questions asked in class or as a final exam at the end of the unit. Fink, Jessica. Provo, Utah. 10 Oct. 2004 Have students pretend to be paralyzed for 2 minutes to encourage empathy for Morrie and prepare them to read the novel. ibid. Have students pretend to be in Mitch’s shoes. Have them write 5 questions they would ask Morrie. Have them trade papers and respond as if they were Morrie. ibid. Poem for a mentor: In the book, Morrie’s sister-in-law wrote a poem about him. Write a poem for a significant person in your life telling them how you feel about them. ibid. Living funeral: In the book, Morrie holds a funeral for himself while he’s still alive. Have students plan a funeral for themselves. Show the funeral scene from Empire Records for inspiration/comparison. Gee, Etta Molly. “Vocabulary Classic Texts.” Vocabulary.com. 15 Oct. 2004. <http://www.vocabulary.com/VUcttuesdaysmorrie.html>. Use the listed vocabulary words as an enrichment activity during reading. Koppel, Ted. "Morrie: lessons on living.” ABC News Nightline New York: ABC News Home Video, 1998 This is the original interview with Morrie which inspired Mitch’s visit. Use it to compare how student envisioned Morrie, or to reinforce that this is a true story. “The Laws of Nature.” Reading Group Guides.com. 15 Oct. 2004. < http://www. readinggroupguides.com/guides/tuesdays_with_morrie.asp>. Have students review the plot and list the actions according to cause and effect using the given list as an example. “Mitch Albom Biography.” Albom Online. 15 Oct. 2004 <http:// www.albom.com/about_mitch.html>. Have student compare the biographies of both men and ask them which they think is more successful and why. Phillips-Lee, Susan. American Fork, Utah. 17 Sept. 2004. Have students fill out a KWL about Lou Gehrig’s disease stating what they know, what they want to know, and what they learn. ibid. Read the first few paragraphs aloud. Have students make deductions and predictions. ibid. Problem analysis. Ask students to get together in groups and respond to the following question: “If you knew that you were going to die in a year and in the last few months of that year you wouldn’t be able to control your body, what would you do?” ibid. Show the first few minutes of the film version of Tuesdays with Morrie. Stop the tape when Morrie falls. Ask students to guess what’s wrong with him. “Second Chances.” Tuesdays with Morrie: Events. Duluth Public Library. 15 Oct. 2004. <http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Events.html>. This activity could spur a free write, causing students to reflect on the past and on their role models. “STARS Program for Kids.” Tuesdays with Morrie: Events. Duluth Public Library. 15 Oct. 2004 http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Events.html>. Read aloud the story of The Rag Coat, an evocative tale in which a young mountain girl teaches her friends about the importance of sharing their lives through stories. McHugh, Paul R. “Dying Made Easy.” Commentary. 107:2 (1999) This article compares Morrie’s death with that of a Kavokian patient suffering from ALS. It’s a great way to raise moral and ethical issues in class. “Tuesdays with Morrie: Suggested Classroom Activities.” SWC Library. Southwestern College. 15 Oct. 2004. <http://www.swc.cc.ca.us/~ library/Lvl3 /index.asp? L3=15>. Though geared more towards college students, these activities can easily be adapted into multiple intelligence activities for high school students. Reutter, Harold. “Lessons in Living a Meaningful Life: book, movie inspire Northwest students to conduct food drive.” Pay It Forward Foundation.org. 15 Oct. 2004. <http:// www.payitforwardmovement.org/media/GRANDISLAND.htm>. Use this inspirational article to encourage students to make a difference based on what they’ve read. Jeffers, Susan. “Embracing Uncertainty.” iVillage. 15 Oct. 2004. <http://ivillage.com>. Compare this self-help article to Morrie’s philosophy of life. Back to Top Reading Activities (compiled by Stacy Broadbent) During Reading | After Reading | Before Reading Strategies 1: Coping with Loss General Mental Health Issues: Coping With Loss - Bereavement and Grief. 2005. National Mental Health Association. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://dying.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=dying&zu=http%3 A%2F%2Fwww.nmha.org%2Finfoctr%2Ffactsheets%2F42.cfm> This is a fact sheet put out by the National Mental Health Association that discusses the grieving process and how to cope with a loss. This could be a good activity because it will heighten understanding and sensitivity of the grieving process. 2: Mitch Albom Biography Mitch Albom Biography. Albom Online. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://www.albom.com/about_mitch.htm>. Since Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir it is important for students to realize that Mitch Albom is both a real person and a character in his book. After looking at this bio students can do a writing exercise describing the kind of person they think Mitch Albom is. Then, as they start reading the novel they will be more interested as they feel a real life connection to Mitch. 3: How to Make Time to Write Franklin, Dallas. How to make time to write. 2002. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://www.memoirwriters.com/article.php?sid=38>. This is an article called “How to make time to write.” It’s about fitting journal writing in your life and overcoming writers block. Since Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir, students can think about writing their own experiences. The best place to start is by writing a journal. An activity could be to write a journal entry in class, or explore ideas for a personal memoir. 4: About ALS About ALS. 2004. ALS Association. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://www.alsa.org/als/what.cfm?CFID=1130855&CFTOKEN=26627595>. This site has information on Morrie’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or "Lou Gehrig's disease.” This site has a wealth of information on the subject. Perhaps exploring the physical nature of Morrie’s disease will interest those students who have a scientific bent. An activity the class could do is envision themselves or a member of their family with this disease and write about how they would react to it. 5: Accuracy in Media Frequently Asked Questions. 2004. Accuracy in Media. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://www.aim.org/static/19_0_7_0_C>. Part of Tuesdays with Morrie focuses on the role of Media in our lives. This website is dedicated to reducing the bias in Media. In the classroom, explore the role of Media and how the Media functions in a capitalist driven society. Specifically mention tabloids. A good activity could be creating a Tabloid issue for your students’ school. 6: Popular Culture Popular Culture: Resources for Critical Analysis. 2002. T.V. REED. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://www.wsu.edu/~amerstu/pop/tvrguide.html>. Popular culture is a major theme in Tuesdays with Morrie. This website explores what popular culture is and how it affects us as Americans and even those who aren’t Americans. A possible activity is to get students thinking about how popular culture influences their lives by writing a journal entry. 7: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Huitt, W. 2004. Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta State University. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/regsys/maslow.html>. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a good thing to explore before reading this novel. In the novel Morrie explains what he thinks is important in life. He explains that there is more to life than just physical needs. After looking at Maslow’s hierarchy students can explore what they feel is important in their life. 8: Capturing a Food Memory Capturing a Food Memory. 13 Aug. 2001. Gumbo. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/8405/foodmemory.htm>. This link gives activities related to food and memory. Throughout the book, Mitch brings food to Morrie, even when he can no longer eat it. Mitch remembers how he would spend lunch with his professor and how he enjoyed his food. Food can go beyond mere sustenance; it can be symbolic as in Tuesdays with Morrie, and it can be linked to memory. 9: Existentialism Existentialism. 19 Oct. 2005. Wikipedia. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism>. Existentialism is a philosophical school that would be interesting to explore in the context of this novel. The novel is about existence— what it means and what we want out of it before we die. Existentialism explores these ideas and our personal responsibility in making our life what we want it to be. An activity idea is to have a student write two obituaries for themselves, the first as if they died that day and the second as if they died at their ideal time and in their ideal way. 10: Authenticity Authenticity (philosophy). 28 Sept. 2005. Wikipedia. 19 Oct. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authenticity_%28philosophy%29>. This resource specifically explores the existential idea of authenticity. The principle of authenticity tell us that we should do things not because we think we should or because other people do them, but because we ourselves have critically evaluated our life and decided what is best. In the novel Morrie did things his way—he danced with his eyes closed even though it was goofy. And he did other things the same way as other people—he had a normal job, a wife and a family. But he did these things not because popular culture or anyone else told him too. He did them because he thought they were right. Have students write a journal entry evaluating their own authenticity. Back to Top During Reading Strategies 1: Message to the Future Houghton Mifflin Education Place.1997. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/arch/ancient3.html>. This is an outline for an activity where the students draw and propose a monument to the future. Since Tuesdays with Morrie deals a lot of the culture of our time, ask students what values they would have pass on to future generations. 2: Related Reading List Duluth Public Library. Reading. 29 Apr. 2004. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Booklists.html>. This is a great list of related reading for a mature audience. The list is not annotated, but is divided into the categories of: aging, dying, estate planning, fiction, friendship, gerontology, related magazines, mentors and mentoring and scrap booking. 3: Reading List for Kids Duluth Public Library. Reading. 29 Apr. 2004. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Morrie/Kids.html>. This is a reading list on Tuesdays with Morrie especially for kids divided by grade up to 8th grade. 4: Albom on Making a Difference USA Weekend.17 Dec. 2002. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/2000_articles/000903diffday.html>. This article is by Mitch Albom showing how Tuesdays with Morrie has made a differenced in people’s lives and how Morrie taught Mitch to make a difference. Ask students who has made a difference in their lives. Have students write an essay on their mentor. 5: Vocabulary Words Gee, Etta Molly. “Vocabulary Classic Texts.” 2005. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.vocabulary.com/VUcttuesdaysmorrie.html>. This is a list of vocabulary words that appear in the book in groups organized by where they fall in the book. After each section have students write about their own ideas or experience using these vocabulary words. 6: Original Interview with Morrie Koppel, Ted. "Morrie: lessons on living.” ABC News Nightline New York: ABC News Home Video, 1998 This is the original interview with Morrie when Mitch first realized he was sick. Use this as a way for kids to connect with the real life aspect of the story. 7: Pay It Forward Reutter, Harold. Lessons in living a meaningful life. 17 Dec. 2003. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.payitforwardmovement.org/media/GRANDISLAND.htm>. This details one teacher’s experience with teaching this book. Her kids were reminded of the movie Pay it Forward when they read the novel and decided to start their own pay if forward project. 8: TV Movie Tuesdays with Morrie Internet Movie Database. 2005. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0207805/>. This link describes the made for TV movie Tuesdays with Morrie. Reviews are also associated with the page. Perhaps you could watch clips of the movie and ask the students to compare that scene with the novel. Another possibility is merely asking students to determine if they think the novel would adapt well to film. 9: Book Review Bowen, Stephanie. CNN Book reviews. 1998. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://edition.cnn.com/books/reviews/9805/06/>. This is a well done book review. The writer makes associations (such as with Maya Angelou's "Won't Take Nothing for my Journey Now") and reveals personal insights. A good activity could be to challenge students to write a book review. 10: Medical Professionals and Tuesdays with Morrie Ring, Jeffrey M., Jo Marie Reilly. Family Medicine. 2003. 26 Sep. 2005 <http://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm20 03/September/Ring.pdf>. This article shows that in some cases medical professionals have actually suggested that patient’s family members read this book. Have your students evaluate the book in this context and ask them if they think that would be a good idea. Back to Top After Reading Strategies 1: ALS and Stem Cell Research Bruijn, Lucie. A Primer on Stem Cells. 2004. ALS Association. 2 Oct. 2005 <http://www.alsa.org/research/stem_cells.cfm>. This website explains the application of stem cell research to ALS. Read the text as a class and evaluate if stem cell research seems beneficial in the context of ALS. 2: The Stem Cell Debate The Stem Cell Debate. 2003. CNN. 2 Oct. 2005 <http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/stemcell/>. Since most likely students will support the idea of stem cell research in the context of ALS it is pertinent to also show students the other side of the issue of stem cell research. This website has links to many valuable articles under the headings “The Issues,” “The Science,” “The Politics,” and “Analysis.” 3: Classroom Debate Broadbent, Stacy. Classroom Debate. BYU, 2005. After students have been educated in the issues of stem cell research and ALS, divide the class into groups and have a debate. Students should do research on their own as well as utilize the information covered in class. 4: Love and Communication Barnhill, Michael. Personal Interview. 3 Oct. 2005. In the novel, Morrie emphasizes the importance of open communication, love, and acceptance. Have a day in class where students have an open forum to evaluate how they are doing as a class in terms of developing an open communication and an environment of caring. 5: Living Funeral Broadbent, Stacy. Living Funeral. BYU, 2005 In the novel, Morrie decides he wants to have his funeral while he is alive so that he can share in the love of his friends while he is still with them. Have students write a eulogy for a friend or family member and then present it to the friend or family member. 6: Eigenkultur Barnhill, Michael. Personal Interview. 3 Oct. 2005. Morrie rejects popular culture in favor of creating his own culture. Have the students identify elements of American pop culture and even their school’s culture. Then have students all write a brief journal entry detailing their own personal culture, including which elements of pop culture they choose to reject. 7: Detachment and Buddhism Harris, Elizabeth J. Detachment and Compassion in Early Buddhism. 1997. Buddhist Publication Society. Oct. 2 2005. <http://www.enabling.org/ia/vipassana/Archive/H/Harris/detachmentHarris.html>. Morrie says that we must detach ourselves from our emotions so that they will not control us. He refers to a Buddhist saying: “Don’t cling to things because everything is impermanent” (103). This article explains how attachment and compassion function together in Buddhism. 8: Detachment Activity Broadbent, Stacy. Detachment. BYU, 2005. After students understand the relation of detachment and meditation, the class can discuss the value of detachment in their own lives. Have students review the novels studied in the class for the past year and identify situations when the characters could have better resolved a conflict by detaching themselves from their emotions. 9: When You’re in Bed You’re Dead Broadbent, Stacy. When you’re in bed you’re what?. BYU, 2005. Morrie expresses the concern that he must not be confined to his bed or he is ultimately dead already. Because of this, he spends most of his last days in a chair in his study. Have students explore the things they think they absolutely cannot do without. Then share with them the story of Jean Dominique Bauby. This exceptional man was paralyzed except for one eyelid and managed to survive emotionally and write a book, The Diving-bell and the Butterfly, through a series of eye signals. 10: The Five People You Meet in Heaven Albom, Mitch. The Five People You Meet in Heaven. New York: Hyperion, 2003 After reading Tuesdays With Morrie, introduce other books my Mitch Albom such as The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Students can gain a greater understanding of Albom as an author and apply what they have learned in their study of Tuesdays With Morrie to his other books.

Back to Albom's Page

Reading Resources and Unit Guide for this Novel