To guide character visualization during their novel study for Mitch Albom's THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, 8th graders considered what a "graying blueberry" shade of blue would look like and browsed online color palettes to select the best representation. The defining life event of Joseph Corvelzchik - a character known as the "Blue Man" - involved a skin-changing side effect that the novel describes as a "grotesque shade, a graying blueberry." The change in the character's physical appearance (the "looks" component of S.T.E.A.L. characterization) shaped his entire life - and death - so being able to visualize the character was essential to understanding and sympathizing with him as readers. With their prior knowledge of a blueberry and their imaginations, the 8th graders compiled eight (8) color choices - which were sent (in a Google Form) to their teachers for a vote! 

The 8th Grade's eight (8) color options:



See below for the HNOM teachers' voting results - there was a tie! 8th grade sends a special "thank you" to the teachers who participated! Getting feedback on their work helped them feel a little more connected to their school community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.




Visualizing the character on their own - through ONLY the text's description - was also part of the 8th grade  prerequisite to comparing/contrasting the novel to the 2004 T.V. movie adaptation. Did the movie get the characterization right? Click HERE to see a photograph of the cinematic "Blue Man"!


Next Generation Learning Standards:

8R3: "In literary texts, analyze how particular lines of dialogue or events propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. (RL)"

8R4: "Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings. (RL)"

8R7: "Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different media—text, audio, video, stage, or digital—to present a particular subject or idea and analyze the extent to which a production remains faithful to or departs from the written text. (RL)"

8W6: "Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, drawing on multiple sources, refocusing the inquiry when appropriate. Generate additional related questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration."