Activity Overview
Throughout the novel, Eddie learns five important lessons from his five people:
- All people are connected
- Sacrifice is essential
- The importance of forgiveness
- Love never dies
- The purpose of his life, which in Eddie’s case was to keep children safe
These are important lessons that help Eddie come to terms with his past so that he can be at peace in Heaven. Have students think about people in their own lives whom they have learned important lessons from. Ask students to pick three people they would like to meet in Heaven, and what kinds of lessons they would teach them. Then, have them decide what their own Heavens would look like. Put these elements into a five-cell spider map, like the one below.
Student Example for My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven Activity
Student Name: Kate | |
|---|---|
| CELL | EXPLANATION |
| Cell 1 My Grandma | My Grandma has taught me many things in life, but especially compassion for others. You never know what kinds of battles other people are fighting in their personal lives, so you need to show compassion for everyone, even if they don’t always deserve it. |
| Cell 2 My Best Friend, Kayla | My best friend Kayla has the ability to make me laugh all the time, even when I’m sad. I’ve learned the importance of laughter and keeping a sense of humor from her, even during the rough times. It makes everything a lot easier to deal with when you can release stress through a moment of happiness. |
| Cell 3 My Dad | My Dad has always taught me the importance of being reliable. When you tell someone that you are going to be somewhere, or do something for them, you need to make sure you follow through. If not, you’re degrading your own name, and at the end of the day, that’s all anyone has. |
| Cell 4 My Heaven – Setting | My Heaven would be in outer space, so I could explore all of the planets and stars that everyone always wants to know about! |
| Cell 5 My Heaven – Important Things to Have | In my Heaven, all of my family and friends would be there, and my dog, Howie. I would make sure there’s plenty of candy for everyone, and a grill for my Dad to cook at, because he makes the best burgers. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the top three cells, write the names of three people in the title boxes.
- Write "Important Things to Have" in one of the remaining titles, and "Setting" in the other.
- Write about the people, things, and setting in the descriptions.
- Illustrate each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Throughout the novel, Eddie learns five important lessons from his five people:
- All people are connected
- Sacrifice is essential
- The importance of forgiveness
- Love never dies
- The purpose of his life, which in Eddie’s case was to keep children safe
These are important lessons that help Eddie come to terms with his past so that he can be at peace in Heaven. Have students think about people in their own lives whom they have learned important lessons from. Ask students to pick three people they would like to meet in Heaven, and what kinds of lessons they would teach them. Then, have them decide what their own Heavens would look like. Put these elements into a five-cell spider map, like the one below.
Student Example for My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven Activity
Student Name: Kate | |
|---|---|
| CELL | EXPLANATION |
| Cell 1 My Grandma | My Grandma has taught me many things in life, but especially compassion for others. You never know what kinds of battles other people are fighting in their personal lives, so you need to show compassion for everyone, even if they don’t always deserve it. |
| Cell 2 My Best Friend, Kayla | My best friend Kayla has the ability to make me laugh all the time, even when I’m sad. I’ve learned the importance of laughter and keeping a sense of humor from her, even during the rough times. It makes everything a lot easier to deal with when you can release stress through a moment of happiness. |
| Cell 3 My Dad | My Dad has always taught me the importance of being reliable. When you tell someone that you are going to be somewhere, or do something for them, you need to make sure you follow through. If not, you’re degrading your own name, and at the end of the day, that’s all anyone has. |
| Cell 4 My Heaven – Setting | My Heaven would be in outer space, so I could explore all of the planets and stars that everyone always wants to know about! |
| Cell 5 My Heaven – Important Things to Have | In my Heaven, all of my family and friends would be there, and my dog, Howie. I would make sure there’s plenty of candy for everyone, and a grill for my Dad to cook at, because he makes the best burgers. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the top three cells, write the names of three people in the title boxes.
- Write "Important Things to Have" in one of the remaining titles, and "Setting" in the other.
- Write about the people, things, and setting in the descriptions.
- Illustrate each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven Activity
Design a collaborative class 'Heaven Lessons' mural
Invite students to work together to create a large mural where each student contributes a drawing or note about someone who taught them an important lesson. This activity builds classroom community and lets students visually connect their stories while reinforcing the novel's themes.
Set clear expectations and assign mural sections
Assign each student a specific section of the mural to fill with their chosen person's lesson and a simple illustration. Clear boundaries help students feel confident and ensure everyone is included.
Guide students in planning their contributions
Encourage students to brainstorm their lesson and imagery on scratch paper before adding it to the mural. This supports thoughtful reflection and helps everyone make a meaningful contribution.
Facilitate sharing and discussion
After the mural is complete, invite students to share their section with the class. This fosters empathy, promotes public speaking skills, and helps everyone see the diversity of lessons within your classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions about My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven Activity
What is the 'My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven' activity for students?
The 'My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven' activity asks students to reflect on important life lessons they've learned from people they know, imagine meeting them in Heaven, and describe what their ideal Heaven would look like. This helps students connect personally with themes from The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.
How do you create a five-cell spider map for the 'My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven' assignment?
To make a five-cell spider map, choose three influential people and write their names in three cells, add 'Setting' in another, and 'Important Things to Have' in the last. In each cell, describe the person, lesson learned, Heaven's setting, and what would be included. Illustrate each cell for clarity and creativity.
What are some lesson ideas students can use for the 'My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven' project?
Students might focus on lessons like compassion, reliability, humor, forgiveness, or the importance of family. Encourage them to choose meaningful values they've learned from real people in their lives, making the project more personal and impactful.
Why is the 'My People, Their Lessons, My Heaven' activity effective in teaching themes from 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven'?
This activity is effective because it prompts students to personally connect with the novel's themes, such as the interconnectedness of lives and learning from others, making the story's messages more relatable and memorable.
What are the main themes students explore through this Heaven activity?
Key themes include human connection, sacrifice, forgiveness, enduring love, and finding purpose. Students reflect on these by identifying people who taught them valuable lessons, mirroring the journey of the main character in the novel.
More Storyboard That Activities
Five People You Meet in Heaven, The
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