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As part of a Psychology class, my students were required to write a letter to person who has made a difference in their lives. The letter also included a request to the person who received the letter to “Write it Forward” by sending a letter to another person.
As with many assignments, a teacher can never truly understand the impact an assignment may have. It was not until close to two months later that I realized for at least one student, the activity was a huge success.
The assignment began in a small classroom on December 12, 2012. Here is the feedback we have received so far:
February 5, 2013 – Handwritten letter
February 6, 2013 – email
Tag: psychology lessons
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Write it Forward: Great Feedback from Just 1 Letter!
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Psychology Lesson: Grandparent Appreciation Day
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One major goal of the Grandparents’ Day activities (these can be completed at any point during the year) is to strengthen relationships between the grandparents and the students.
With this activity, the grandparents are asked to provide me (the teacher) with some feedback. It is important to receive feedback from the grandparents for a few reasons. First, it is a great way to introduce the activity the following year. Before completing the activity, the students can see the impact the assignment has had on people. Second, it allows for me to know who actually gave a great effort.
Below is the note I include with the memories and letters.
HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!
You have been chosen for this activity because you have created and shared so many great memories for a student in my class. You have made a BIG DIFFERENCE in someone’s life and they will never forget this or you. THANK YOU!
The class is very interested in your feedback. Could you please share your thoughts on our activities and what it was like to receive the letter. Email YOUR NAME (teacher) at youremail@yourschool.org or send a note to:
Your Name (teacher)
Your School School
Street address
Town, State zip code
Here are the responses first 5 responses I received. I did not include any of the students’ names.
Response #1
“What a lovely surprise to receive my letter along with the memories of “Me and You” my granddaughter sent me…I have rarely received any card or letter to acknowledge this day and am very impressed with your thoughtfulness in making this a class project. It will be kept in my “treasure box” of cards and letters.
It was great fun to read her memories…I had forgotten one SHE remembered!!! She is a wonderfully loving and happy granddaughter (and our first girl after 4 sons, 4 grandsons and 2 step grandsons, so she was special from the day she was born).
I am delighted our granddaughter will have the experience of your teaching skills and getting to know you. I have fond memories of my years working at Hanover High School…glad you are still there to make a difference in our grandchildren’s lives.
Best wishes for a fun and successful school year.”
Response #2
“What a pleasant surprise to open a letter that my grandson composed.
It was refreshing to know that he has fond memories of his Great Grandparents, swimming and boating on their property, and dinners with his great grandfather. He mentioned mystery rides to Southie, food from the Sullivan’s, and Ed Amaral’s favorite dessert, congo bars.
My hope is that years from now he will share those memories with generations of family to come. Thank you for prompting my grandson to compose warm and fuzzy letters to grandparents. Keep it coming!”
Response #3
“I loved the note from our granddaughter! So many memories I have of her and all the other grandchildren!
It brought back memories of taking them up to our camp in New Hampshire and the fun we had up there with no parents. We got to do things that kids like to do and especially not having to “hurry up” to do anything. I enjoyed the part about “trying everything” at camp….they always had to take a bite of all food served…then if they didn’t like it, they didn’t have to eat it, but it had to be tried…It’s funny she still remembers that.
Families are important, and I’d like to think that we were a good influence on our grandchildren’s lives. I know she was on ours!”
Sincerely,
Grandparents of a wonderful granddaughter”
Response #4
“Let me commend you on such an admirable assignment.
Our Granddaughter’s letter is something we will always treasure. It is something that we can scan into the computer, and pull up on a dreary day to remind ourselves that we are indeed the kind of grandparents that we hoped to be. There is nothing more important than to know you are truly loved. Her memories spoke of the time spent with us, not the material things we have given her, demonstrating that her values and love of family are the things most important to her. It has been a great privilege to share her life so far and we will miss her very much when she goes off to college. But now we have this wonderful letter and our own memories of her to keep in our hearts.
Nina & Grandpa”
Response #5
“I would like to thank you for the letter writing activity you gave your class.
What a surprise and a pleasure it was to receive a letter from my granddaughter! Her letter to me brought back so many memories. In our busy lives, it is so nice to realize how much something means to someone else. Reading her letter and having her share her memories of the two of us brought a smile to my face.
Thank you again. I am so proud of her and am happy to be included in a special part of her school day”
Response #6
“I am responding for my parents because, they don’t know how to email and asked me to relay this note to you for them. Sorry it is late we weren’t able to get the letter to them until last Friday.
They responded as follows:
Our [Grandchild],
Thank you for sharing your memories of some of your times with us. Please know you have given us some of our Golden Memories. We’re very proud of our 16 grandchildren.
Love you too much, Princess!
Always,
Nana and Papa”
P.S. Mr. Molloy, Thank you and good job! It meant a lot to us.
Response #7
“Thank you very much for having this type of activity as part of your class. If the other grandparents received the same type of letter that I have received from my granddaughter they must be as proud as I am. I have always tried to make her visits to Florida memorable and for her to put into writing the little things she remembers, well it was just beautiful! Family time with my grandchildren is very important to me. Since we live in Florida and only get to see them once or twice a year if we are lucky, it is essential to make our time together outstanding. My grandmother was a very important person in my life. I have always wanted to be remembered by my grandchildren as I remember my grandmother, with love and fond memories of the time I spent with her.
To have my granddaughter put in writing these memories from the past gives me great pleasure. I now know without a doubt that I will be remembered by all my grandchildren in the way I wish to be remembered. Needless to say this letter is one of my most prized possessions!
Again Thank You!
A Very Proud Mimi”
Response #8
“I don’t have e-mail, but had to respond. What a wonderful idea! It was such a good feeling reading the letter from out granddaughter recalling warm memories, and in effect provoking warm memories of my own. Kudos on a great idea!”
Response #9
“I was very pleased to receive the letter from our granddaughter on Grandparents’ Day. What a nice surprise! A handwritten letter from my granddaughter will be cherished forever – I didn’t realize she remembered all the fun and funny activities that she wrote about, but then she is a very caring person 9not that I am biased). Great project – I’m sure all the other grandparents are as happy as I am to receive a letter from their grandchild – great idea all around!”
Response #10
It is my pleasure to say thank you for instilling in our granddaughter the treasured thoughts about me. I will always be grateful to have a wonderful and caring granddaughter like her. Our time together was special and we always enjoyed talking about schoolwork, family, and friends.
The letter received was such a wonderful thought on your part as a teacher. I will always remember the letter and the wonderful memories she and I had together, especially out piano days.”
Response #11
“I was very impressed and pleased by my granddaughter’s letter to me with all the memories that were made as she was growing into the beautiful young lady that she is today. I am very proud of her. I think it was a nice activity as it reminds of us of times gone by.”
I am glad that many of the the grandparents and students had a positive experience with this activity.
After I read the letter, I photocopy it for the future, then give the original to the student who wrote the letter and memories.
Next year I will present the students with the following to have a record of the letters for the future
In the future, I may have the students type out the hand-written responses and have them email it to me. This will save me the time of typing out the responses. Below is the information I will share with the students.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!
You made a great effort and made someone’s day. I would like you to take the note home and TYPE IT out. Send it to me in an email so I can share with future classes. I will change the names to protect the innocent.
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Psychology Lesson: Factors That Affect Learning
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Top 3 Joke PagesTop Psychology Jokes & Psychology Jokes
This is a great activity to illustrate learning and feedback. It was taken from a great book Activities for Teaching Psychology Volume I. It is activity #28.
Method:- Handout the worksheet and have the class count off by threes. (See below.)
- Designate 3 different areas on a whiteboard for each group. Utilize all the whiteboards that are available.
- Give each group a measuring stick. The ones for my class are 39 inches.
- Each group will have one blind fold.
- Each individual in the group will draw 7 lines.
- As one student draws a line, another student will measure the line and record the measurement on the board. Be sure to list the student initials! ALL MEASUREMENTS are rounded to the nearest half inch.
- Each group will receive different feedback (It might be best to demonstrate one line for each group before beginning the activity):
- Group #1 receives no feedback. Each student will draw 7 lines.
- Group #2 receives the feedback “too long, too short, or perfect 39 inches” AFTER EACH LINE!
- Group #3 – receives exact feedback in inches to the nearest half inch. AFTER EACH LINE!
- ALL students should record the scores of each member in the group.
- Once all the scores are recorded, find the average of each individual. Once all the individual averages are recorded, find the average of the each group.
- Analyze the results – The group with the most feedback should have the lowest margin of error. Whatever the results are discuss and analyze.
- Select the members for the Hall of Fame. Within each group, list the three scores with the lowest margin of error average. There should be a hall of fame for each group. Even the group with no feedback.
- List the notes.
Students are given a a 2-sided handout to record the scores and list the 3 factors that affect learning. Students seem to really enjoy this activity. To increase motivation, I have created a “Hall Of Fame” for the lowest average scores.
Notes to be filled in by the students:
1. Feedback – Finding out the results of an action or performance
2. Transfer – the effects of past learning
A. Positive Transfer – previous learning HELPS new learning. (reed instruments, lacrosse and basketball, dirt bike and motorcycle)
B. Positive Transfer – previous learning HURTS new. (Rugby and football, driving on left side vs. driving on the right side)
3. Practice – the correct repetition of a task.
You can use the information below to create your own handout for your students. I list 7 columns on my worksheet. Adjust to fit your class size.
Name:
Activity #28, Knowledge and Feedback (Volune #1, page 66)
For this activity, the class will be divided into 3 even groups. Each group has the same task – draw a line 39 inches long. What is so hard about this? Each student will be blindfolded. Record the initials of the members of your group and recrode SEVEN scores. For each score, you will record the margin of error. For example 42 inches would be: +3 and 28 would be: -11. The plus and minus marks are really just additional information. Once the 7 lines are drawn, add up the numbers (disreard the + and -), and divide the total by 7. Hopefully with each additional line, subjects will improve their scores. The results will tell! (Hall of Fame Opportunity for the lowest margin of error average)
Group #1 FEEDBACK –
Initials
Line #1
Line #2
Line #3
Line #4
Line #5
Line #6
Line #7
Avg.
Exact
Group #2 FEEDBACK –
Initials
Line #1
Line #2
Line #3
Line #4
Line #5
Line #6
Line #7
Avg.
Exact
Group #3 FEEDBACK –
Initials
Line #1
Line #2
Line #3
Line #4
Line #5
Line #6
Line #7
Avg.
Exact
Three factors that affect learning
1. –
2. –
A. –
B. –
3. –
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The Last Lecture: Viewing Guide
The Last Lecture is one of the most impressive speeches of all-time. It is a great to share with a psychology class because it covers so many areas of interest. There are also some unique and interesting activities for students to complete with the speech.
The book is great! Here is a discussion guide that has some great ideas.
Speaker introduction (0 – 8:20) This section is not necessarily important to show the students, however it does provide excellent background to illustrate the impact Randy has had on his school and profession. For all the students who are active in video gaming, it is good to show the EA sports segment! Ask how many students have played the Sims game.
Introduction (8:20 – 11:15)
Elephant in the room – not in denial
Push-ups (10:10)
What we are not talking about.
My childhood dreams (11:15 – 38:50)
Overview of childhood dreams (11:15 – 13:20)
Zero gravity (13:20 – 16:32)
Playing in the NFL (16:33 – 20:25)
World Book Encyclopedia (20:25 – 21:20)
Captain Kirk (21:20 – 23:35)
Stuffed Animals (23:40 – 25:30)
Disney Imagineer (25:30 – 38:50)
Enabling the dreams of others (38:50 – 1:03:00)
Tom and Star Wars (38:50 – 40:30)
Building Virtual Worlds – 1st assignment – Raise the bar (40:40 – 43:50)
Campus wide presentation – synergy (45:20 – 52:30)
Dream Fulfillment Factory ETC – 2 years masters program (53:50 – 1:00:25)
Alice computer program – infinitely scalable – professional legacy (1:00:25 – 1:03:00)
Lessons Learned (1:03:00 – 1:23:44)
Role of parents, mentors, students – select one person and thank them
Dad (1:03:43 – 1:04:40)
Mom – Paint the bedroom (1:04:40 – 1:05:00)
Andy van Dam (1:06:20 – 1:08:40)
Katlin Kelleher (1:08 – 1:09:57)
President Cohen (1:09:57 – 1:10:25)
Tigger vs. Eeyore (1:10:25)
Never lose childlike wonder (1:10:40)
Help others (1:10:45 – 11:11:38)
Loyalty is a two-way street (1:12:15 – 1:13:30)
Syl – best advice ever “When it comes to men…” (1:13:30 – 1:14:30)
Never Give Up (1:14:30 –
Get a feedback group and listen to it (1:21:30)
Show Gratitude (1:22:55)
Don’t complain, just work harder (1:22:13)
Important Advice – Be good at something, it makes you valuable. (1:22:20)
Find the best in everybody – just keep waiting
Be prepared – luck is where opportunity meets preparation
Today’s Talk – the head fake (1:23:00)
2nd head fake – talk is for my kids (1:23:13 – 1:23:44) – It’s for Dylan, Cody, and Chloe11:49 – 3 questions.
- (11:49) “My Childhood Dreams (current dreams): STOP the presentation on the “My Childhood Dreams.” Have students copy the slide, then have them list THEIR childhood dreams. What were your childhood dreams? Place a star next to any childhood dreams you are still working on. This can be a 10 – 15 minute class discussion. “It’s about my childhood dreams and how I have achieved them.”
- MY CURRENT DREAM: What are your current dreams? List one or two current dreams.
- THE ONE LITTLE THING: Push-ups: Roger Story What can you do every day that will help help you? ONE simple thing, like doing push-ups, playing an instrument, reading, writing, walking with your family, exercising. Pick on little thing that you could do (or continue to do)
19:21 – 1 question
- (19:21) Part of You: “I am most comfortable on a football field. [pulls out a football] if I’m working a hard problem, people will see me wandering the halls with one of these things, and that’s just because, when you do something young enough and you train for it, it just becomes a part of you.” For Randy Pausch Football was part of who he is. Over the years you have developed passions, interests, and skills. What is a part of you? Explain the importance of this object in your life. Describe your history with it. When did it enter your life? Describe the role this object has in your life TODAY and what role it might be in your life in the future.
- Childhood idol: List your childhood idol.
- Who I WANT to Meet: If you could meet any person in the world. Who would it be? What would you like to learn from this person?
- (Follow that person on social media)
- Personal Leaders: (23:35) Double check “There is a skill set called leadership.” List the best personal leaders you know.
- Describe “a-ha experience” (26:06) I was eight years old and our family took a trip cross-country to see Disneyland. I said I want to make stuff like this.” Have you ever had and “a-ha experience” where you realized that you wanted to do something in your life?
- What was your most life changing experience!
- “And I was quite an arrogant young man.” What is on area you have a weakness and can improve on.
- What do you value the most? What are your most treasure possessions and why? “We keep what is valuable to us, what we cherish. And I’ve kept my [high school] letterman’s jacket all these years.”
Loyalty is a two way street.
When it comes to men that are romantically interested in you, it’s really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do. It’s that simple. It’s that easy
6. College Rejection (26:20) They sent me some of the nicest go to hell letters I have ever gotten. Explain what it was like to read a rejection letter either from a college or a job.
6.
Lessons Learned (1:03:00 – 1:23:44)
1:06:18
7. Role of teachers, mentors, friends, colleagues
a. For each parent list 3-5 qualities you admire in them
b. List 5 teachers / educators
c. 6 – 7 friends
“Other people who help us besides our parents: our teachers, our mentors, our friends, our colleagues.” List the 2-3 teachers who have had the most influence on your life.
And I was quite an arrogant young man. What is a character trait that you could work on?
you just have to decide if you’re a Tigger or and Eeyore. What are you? Who is the biggest Tigger in your life / grade?
We keep what is valuable to us, what we cherish. And I’ve kept my [high school] letterman’s jacket all these years. [Puts on letterman’s jacket] I used to like wearing it in grad school, and one of my friends, Jessica Hodgins would say, why do you wear this letterman’s jacket? And I looked around at all the non-athletic guys around me who were much smarter than me. And I said, because I can. List Your Three Most Valuable Possessions. (Letterman’s Jacket 1:03:51):
Loyalty is a two way street. Who are the most loyal people you know?
Never Give Up: Give an example of a time you persisted and overcame a setback.
There are moments that change your life. And ten years later if you know in retrospect it was one of those moments, you’re blessed. But to know it at the moment …
10. “Remember brick walls let us show our dedication. They are there to separate us from the people who don’t really want to achieve their childhood dreams. Don’t bail.” What has been the most challenging brick wall in your life that you did not let stop you. Write about how you approached this challenge to achieve your goals!
when you do the right thing, good stuff has a way of happening. Get a feedback loop and listen to it.
“Be good at something. It makes you valuable.” What are you good at? What makes you valuable?
It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.
9. The best piece of advice pound-for-pound that I have ever heard. When it comes to men that are romantically interested in you, it’s really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do. It’s that simple. It’s that easy. And I thought back to my bachelor days and I said, damn.” Write the best piece of advice you have received. Include the advice, person who shared it, and why you have found it so helpful
11. There are moments that change your life. Randy had one when meeting with
Get a feedback group and listen to it (1:21:30)
Show Gratitude (1:22:55)
Don’t complain, just work harder (1:22:13)
Important Advice – Be good at something, it makes you valuable. (1:22:20)
Find the best in everybody – just keep waiting
Be prepared – luck is where opportunity meets preparation
Today’s Talk – the head fake (1:23:00)
2nd head fake – talk is for my kids (1:23:13 – 1:23:44) – It’s for Dylan, Cody, and Chloe
“Be good at something. It makes you valuable.” What are you good at? What makes you valuable?
Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture Viewing Guide
I have found it very useful when showing a video to have the students respond at different points. With this viewing guide, the point in the speech is listed in parenthesis. of the writing prompt
Name period
Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture (1:44) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184
(4:08) “It’s about my childhood dreams and how I have achieved them.” What were your childhood dreams? What are your current dreams?
(10:56) “I am most comfortable on a football field. [pulls out a football] if I’m working a hard problem, people will see me wandering the halls with one of these things, and that’s just because, when you do something young enough and you train for it, it just becomes a part of you.” What is part of you? Explain the importance in your life.
“There is a skill set called leadership.” List the best personal leaders you know.
I was eight years old and our family took a trip cross-country to see Disneyland. I said I want to make stuff like this.” Have you ever had and “a-ha experience” where you realized that you wanted to do something in your life?
They sent me some of the nicest go to hell letters I have ever gotten. Explain what it was like to read a rejection letter either from a college or a job.
“We keep what is valuable to us, what we cherish. And I’ve kept my [high school] letterman’s jacket all these years.” What do you value the most? What are your most treasure possessions and why?
“The best piece of advice pound-for-pound that I have ever heard. When it comes to men that are romantically interested in you, it’s really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do. It’s that simple. It’s that easy. And I thought back to my bachelor days and I said, damn.” What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“Be good at something. It makes you valuable.” What are you good at? What makes you valuable?
Give the students a copy of the viewing guide questions. Stop the video at different points to allow the students to answer the writing prompts.
There are specific points where you can ask a few writing prompts and then have class discussion.