Mr. Terupt changed the lives of the seven students in many ways. He brought people together, healed old wounds, and made each student see themself as an individual. For this activity, students will create a chart, showing how each student changed over the course of the book, or a lesson that they learned from Mr. Terupt.
Peter: Peter is the class clown, always pulling pranks at the beginning of the book. He is the one who threw the snowball, and learns that being goofy and getting into trouble isn’t how he wants to be. He feels extreme guilt for what happened.
Alexia: Alexia is mean and makes fun of people all of the time at the beginning of the book. She targets Danielle, and lies to the girls so they won’t like each other. Mr. Terupt has a serious talk with her, and she doesn’t speak for a long time. After the accident, Alexia apologizes to the girls and admits how horrible she’s been. They all forgive her.
Anna: Anna is very shy and quiet, and has few friends. The reader learns that she has a single mom, who had her at age 16, and is ostracized because of it. With the help of Mr. Terupt, Anna becomes more outgoing and confident.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a chart that identifies how each character was changed by their teacher. Illustrate instances of each challenge and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Start by introducing the concept of literary analysis, emphasizing its focus on interpreting and discussing the deeper meanings of a literary work. Provide an overview of the key themes in "Because of Mr. Terupt" and explain how Mr. Terupt’s influence is a central element. This foundational step is essential for setting the stage for deeper analytical thinking.
Guide students in conducting a detailed character study. Have them create charts for each main character, documenting their traits, behaviors, and key experiences before and after their interactions with Mr. Terupt. Encourage students to use specific examples and quotes from the text to support their observations. This step is crucial for visualizing the character transformations.
Instruct students to analyze how Mr. Terupt’s actions, teachings, and personality influenced the changes in each character. Encourage them to think critically about the role of a teacher or mentor in personal growth and moral development, drawing parallels to their own life experiences or other literary works.
Have students present their character charts and analyses to the class. Following each presentation, conduct a group discussion, allowing students to explore different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the novel’s themes. This final step not only reinforces their learning but also enhances their communication and critical thinking skills.
To visually represent the themes of "Tuck Everlasting" in a movie poster, students should focus on imagery and symbols that capture the essence of key themes like immortality, the cycle of life, and the choices between safety and freedom. For instance, the eternal spring can be depicted as a central image to symbolize immortality. The contrast between the confined, structured environment of Winnie's home and the wild, free nature of the Tucks' world can be used to illustrate the theme of freedom versus safety. Including characters in the poster can also convey the personal struggles and growth they experience, particularly Winnie’s journey. Color schemes and visual motifs can further enhance these themes — for example, using contrasting light and dark areas to represent the dichotomy of life and immortality. The poster should not only be visually compelling but also thought-provoking, encapsulating the novel's profound themes in a single image.
An effective movie poster for "Tuck Everlasting" should be both visually appealing and informative. To catch the eye, use a striking color palette and arrange elements in a balanced manner. The title should be prominent and legible, possibly using a font that complements the story’s historical setting. High-quality images or drawings of characters and significant symbols from the novel can create visual interest. Taglines or short phrases can add intrigue or context — consider using a poignant quote from the book that encapsulates its themes. Ensure that the poster doesn’t become cluttered; each element should contribute to the overall message you want to convey. Remember, the goal is to entice viewers to want to 'watch the movie' or, in this case, read the book, so create a sense of mystery and allure.
To make the movie poster activity suitable for various ages and skill levels, adjustments can be made to the complexity of the task. For younger or less skilled students, the focus can be more on simple, clear representations of the story, using templates or guided activities to structure their work. For these groups, emphasize the creative process rather than technical perfection. For older or more advanced students, encourage more sophisticated design elements and a deeper analysis of the novel's themes in their posters. These students can be challenged to incorporate symbolic imagery, complex color schemes, or advanced graphic design techniques. Providing differentiated instructions and offering a range of materials and resources can help ensure that all students can engage meaningfully with the task, regardless of their age or skill level.