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Tuesdays with Morrie Character Evolution

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Mitch's Character Evolution in Tuesdays with Morrie

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Activity Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Rubric

Activity Overview

Mitch changes emotionally over the course of the memoir as he visits with Morrie and begins to reconnect with his former convictions and beliefs. Use the activity for Character Evolution.

Character Evolution Example for Mitch

PLOT POINT	MITCH'S TRAITS	EXPLANATION
Exposition	workaholic, self-absorbed, unfulfilled	Mitch is a successful sports journalist with the Detroit Free Press. He is married, but not totally invested in his life with his wife. He is a workaholic and not fulfilled with the path his life has taken, despite the fact that he has lots of money.
Conflict / Rising Action	guilty; careful; bottled up; confused; fearful	When Mitch reconnects with Morrie, he feels guilty about the path his life has taken. As he starts his project with Morrie, he continues to hold back his emotions and not acknowledge them. He feels confused about how to get his life back on the right path again, and afraid of opening himself up emotionally. He is also fearful of losing Morrie.
Climax	opening up; affectionate; heartbroken	Over the course of his time with Morrie, Mitch has found himself more open with his affections, including not hesitating on holding Morrie’s hand or rubbing his feet and legs. As he says his final goodbye to Morrie, Mitch finally feels his tears welling up as his heart breaks.
Falling Action	enlightened; regretful; hopeful; open	After Morrie dies, Mitch wishes he could go back in time and tell himself not to waste time on things that don’t matter. He also wishes he could tell himself to visit Morrie before Morrie loses his ability to dance. He gets in touch with his brother and opens up to him about how much he loves him and wants to stay in touch. They rekindle their relationship.
Resolution	reflective; grateful	Mitch feels that he has been blessed by having a teacher like Morrie in his life. His old papers, between him and “Coach” make him miss Morrie, but he also realizes how much he and many others have learned from his wisdom.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows the evolution of Mitch throughout the course of Tuesdays with Morrie.

Use the Character Evolution Template to get started.
Break the story down into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. What traits does Mitch have?
Illustrate one or more of the traits for each stage of the story.
Identify major events in each part of the story that affected Mitch.

Character Evolution Template - Novel/Story

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Character Development

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Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Evolution and Analysis

Characters tend to change or evolve with events that happen in the plot of a story. Track the evolution of a primary character throughout the story, highlighting their key traits and the events that impact them during the exposition, conflict/rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Create a storyboard that depicts each event, along with a brief description of their traits at each point in the plot, and an analysis of how events in the plot impact or change the character.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 27 Points	Beginning 22 Points	Try Again 17 Points
Character Evolution Traits and Analysis	The character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point clearly shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character. The analysis reveals insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.	Most of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, although some of the analyses might be unclear or inaccurate. The analysis reveals understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.	Some of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point attempts to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, but some of the analyses may be inaccurate, unclear, or minimal. There is an attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.	Most of the character traits and evolution are identified incorrectly, are missing, or are too limited to score. There is minimal or no analysis to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, and there may be no attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.
Artistic Depictions	The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction.	The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction.	Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort.	Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction.
English Conventions	Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading.	Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading.	Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading.	Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading.

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