Here are a few lessons that I have used with a high school Psychology class. Hopefully the lessons are clear and useful to some teachers. Introduction to High School Psychology Lessons (4)
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There are many high school students & teachers who are Kenny Chesney fans. This video is a great introduction to a unique activity that highlights long-term memory. Step #1: Watch the video. Before introducing the lesson, the class will watch the following video. The lyrics can be handed out to discuss the song. I have included some notes with the lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdeSLxz5TTE
After watching the video, discuss some of Chesney’s memories: 1. “Jack and Diane” painted a picture of my life and my dreams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04CH9YZcpI&noredirect=1 Memories from the 1st verse (high school years) “Jack and Diane” painted a picture of my life and my dreams.
Suddenly this crazy world made more sense to me
Well I heard it today and I couldn’t help but sing along
Cause everytime I hear that song…
I go back to a two toned short bed Chevy (the car he had in high school)
Drivin my first love out to the levvy (high school relationships and hangouts)
Livin life with no sense of time
And I go back to the feel of a fifty yard line (high school athletics)
A blanket, a girl, some raspberry wine (special personal times)
Wishin time would stop right in its tracks
Everytime I hear that song, I go back (The song stirs up so many memories) 2. I used to rock all night long to “Keep On Rockin Me Baby”
Memories from the 2nd verse (College years)
I used to rock all night long to “Keep On Rockin Me Baby”
Frat parties, college bars, just tryin to impress the ladies
I heard it today and I couldn’t help but sing along
Cause everytime I hear that song…. Memories from the 3rd verse (town memories and memories with friends)
I go back to the smell of an old gym floor (senses provoke memories)
The taste of salt on the Carolina shore
After graduation and drinkin goodbye to friends
And I go back to watchin summer fade to fall
Growin up too fast and I do recall
Wishin time would stop right in its tracks
Everytime I hear that song, I go back, I go back (songs and lyrics can bring back memories)
Memories from the 4th verse (The connections we have with songs)
We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives
Takes us to another place and time (What are the songs that take you back? Where do these songs take you?)
3. Now “Only The Good Die Young” stops me in my tracks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJBoHa3GArA
Memories from the 5th verse (family and family traditions)
So I go back to a pew, preacher, and a choir (church and family traditions)
Singin bout God, brimstone, and fire
And the smell of Sunday chicken after church (family cook-outs and traditions)
And I go back to the loss of a real good friend (sad memories – memories stir emotions)
And the sixteen summers I shared with him
Now “Only The Good Die Young” stops me in my tracks
Everytime I hear that song,
I go back….
To the feel of a fifty yard line
A blanket, a girl, some raspberry wine
I go back….
To watchin summer fade to fall
Growin up too fast and I do recall…
I go back….
To the loss of a real good friend
And the sixteen summers I shared with him…
I go back… I go back… I go back
Step #2: Reflect on the videos and the songs that stamp each student’s life.
After watching the video, students will answer the following:
Kenny Chesney has listed 3 songs that have “somehow stamped his life.” For each song he lists the memories associated with that song. Take 10 minutes to write down songs that you associate with memories of friends, family, sports, high school, middle school, significant others, relatives, vacations, etc.
On a blank piece of paper, list songs that you take you back. List where it takes you back. After students complete the list, have a class discussion. Encourage students to continue to write additional songs down during the discussion if any come to mind. Step #3: Preview the upcoming class activity.
After watching and discussing the video, I share the requirements and expectations of the class activity that we will complete in a few classes.
My Memories Playlist
PRE-Class activity: Create a playlist of songs that create memories. The playlist needs to be a minimum of 40 – 50 minutes long (a class period). The only requirement is that these songs are connected to a memory. For example, whenever I hear “Oh Danny Boy” I think of my Grandfather Daniel Grant Sr. I think of his smile, his pleasant personality, working in his yard with him, going to the Boston Common on the Swan boats. I think of cigars and just an amazing man.
Class activity: Pen, Paper, and Music. During class, title the paper “Memory Playlist.” At the start of the activity, plug in your ipod and listen to your playlist. As a song is being played, write about the memories the song creates. You can include the people, event, or group that you associate with the song. You also can write about the emotions it brings out.
Students in the past have enjoyed this activity and have had little difficulty writing for the entire length of the song (stay away from FREE BIRD or Stairway to Heaven). Once one song is complete, repeat the process for the next song.
* If you have participated in the Nutcracker, perhaps you would like to listen the soundtrack for this activity. It might be a fascinating experience. If you danced in the nutcracker, I am sure this would not be a problem.
Assessment:
Work Quietly and from bell to bell.
Hand-written writing assignment that will be collected at the end of the period.