Activity Overview
Each of the students in Because of Mr. Terupt has personal challenges that the readers learn about throughout the story. For this activity, students will choose 4 students and identify the challenges they face either inside of school, or at home. Teachers may modify this activity by having students identify more than 4, or less than four. Students may also want to examine how those personal challenges affect each student and how they deal with it.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that identifies challenges that 4 of the students face in Because of Mr. Terupt. Illustrate instances of each challenge and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the 4 students you wish to include and write their names in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents each student’s challenge using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The challenge descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The challenge descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The challenge descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the challenges using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the challenges, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the challenges. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How to Engage Students in Empathy Building through 'Because of Mr. Terupt' Challenges
Introduction to Empathy and Character Challenges
Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of empathy and its importance in understanding others' experiences and emotions. Introduce the main characters of "Because of Mr. Terupt" and outline the various challenges they face throughout the story. This step sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the characters' experiences.
Character Study and Challenge Identification
Assign students to either work individually or in small groups to study four characters from the book. Have them identify and list the specific challenges each character faces, both in school and at home. Encourage them to use specific examples and quotes from the text to support their findings. This step helps students to concretely identify the struggles and conflicts faced by the characters.
Empathy Building Activities
Engage students in activities that promote empathy building. This could include writing diary entries from the perspective of a character, role-playing scenarios to explore how they would react to the challenges faced by the characters, or group discussions where they share their insights and emotions about the characters’ experiences. The aim is to help students put themselves in the characters’ shoes.
Reflection and Sharing
Conclude with a reflective session where students share their thoughts and learnings from the activities. Encourage them to discuss how exploring the characters’ challenges has impacted their understanding of empathy. This could be done through a class discussion, presentations, or reflective writing. This final step allows students to consolidate their learning and articulate their understanding of empathy in the context of the book.
Frequently Asked Questions about Because of Mr Terupt - Challenges
How do the personal challenges of each student contribute to their character development in 'Because of Mr. Terupt'?
In "Because of Mr. Terupt," the personal challenges faced by each student are integral to their character development. These challenges, which range from family issues and learning difficulties to interpersonal conflicts, serve as catalysts for growth and self-discovery. As the students navigate these challenges, they learn valuable life lessons about empathy, resilience, and self-acceptance. For example, dealing with bullying or coping with family dynamics forces the characters to reflect on their actions and attitudes, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Mr. Terupt's empathetic teaching style also plays a significant role in guiding the students through these challenges, helping them to gain new perspectives and mature emotionally. The novel realistically portrays how overcoming personal hurdles contributes to character growth, making the students more rounded and empathetic individuals.
How are the themes of forgiveness and healing explored through the challenges faced by the characters?
"Because of Mr. Terupt" deeply explores the themes of forgiveness and healing, particularly through the characters' responses to the challenges they face. The pivotal incident where Mr. Terupt is injured acts as a turning point, bringing these themes to the forefront. The students' initial struggle with guilt, blame, and grief gradually leads to a journey of forgiveness and emotional healing. The novel shows that forgiveness, both of oneself and others, is crucial for moving past pain and conflict. It also illustrates the healing power of empathy and understanding, as the characters learn to forgive and support each other. This process of healing is portrayed as a collective experience, emphasizing that personal growth often happens through shared hardships and mutual support.
Can the challenges in 'Because of Mr. Terupt' be related to real-life situations faced by young readers?
The challenges presented in "Because of Mr. Terupt" are highly relatable to real-life situations faced by young readers. The novel addresses common issues such as peer pressure, family problems, and coping with change – situations that many young people encounter. By depicting how the characters confront and overcome these challenges, the story provides valuable insights and coping strategies that readers can apply to their own lives. Additionally, the novel's themes of empathy, resilience, and the importance of understanding different perspectives are universally relevant. This relatability not only enhances the readers' connection with the story but also offers them a sense of reassurance and guidance in dealing with their own challenges.
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Because of Mr. Terupt
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