Welcome!

Welcome to The Last Lecture class. I read this book and had many different thoughts. I am interested to hear your reactions. This memoir was originally written for his three children. It was a book that celebrated his life and the power of childhood dreams. After it was released, however, many teachers connected with his book.

Introduction

Please introduce yourself to your classmates. Tell us where you teach and your position. Why did you want to take this course? What do you hope to get out of it? Are you familiar with this book and Randy Pausch?

Get to Know Randy Pausch

For this part, I want you to get to know Randy Pausch. Go to Last Lecture Video and watch The Last Lecture video. I think it is important to see what inspired the book and “hear and see” Randy Pausch. It is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Also, take some time to explore this website. Lastly, read the book - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. You do not have to respond to this post.

Question #1

Part 1 – Chapters 1-3

1. Randy chose the topic of his lecture to be called – Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. Share one of your childhood dreams. Have you shared this with your students? If not, would you now?

Question #2

Part 2 – Chapters 4-11
2. Randy said he won the parent lottery. What details from his childhood do you think led to the successes he had later on his life? What advice might you give your students that didn’t win the “parent lottery”?

Question #3

3. What would you paint on your bedroom walls if you were given permission to do so? What would you paint on your classroom walls if you were given permission to do so?

Question #4

4. Randy believed our critics are often the ones saying they still care about us. How in your life has a critic helped you become a better person?

Question #5

5. Randy used “head fakes” throughout his life. As a teacher/parent, have you used them? Describe what happened?

Question #6

6. What are the brick walls you’ve faced in your own life? How did you get over them? How do you help your students deal with their brick walls?

Question #7

Part 3 – Chapters 12-22
7. Randy credits his professor Andy van Dam for telling him the “tough love” things he needed to hear. Who in your life has told you things about yourself that made you reconsider your actions?

Question #8

8. Randy learns many lessons throughout his personal and professional life. Tell about the best lesson you have learned by accident in your own personal and professional life.

Question #9

Part 4 – Chapters 23-27
9. What do you think of Randy’s time management skills in chapter 23? If you had one day completely to yourself, what would you do?

Question #10

10. Randy believes that the number one goal for educators should be helping students learn how to judge themselves. How important is this in the learning process? Do you do this in your classroom? Explain.

Question #11

Part 5 – Chapters 28-58
11. Dream Big! How do help your students do this? What advice do you give them?

Question #12

12. The Lost Art of Thank You Notes – We are going to go on the honor system here! Write one to someone today! However, respond here briefly who deserves one and why.

Question #13

13. Are you more of a Tigger or an Eeyore? How do you meet the needs of both of these in your classroom? Share your tips here!

Question #14

14. If you were to share one of the chapters from chapters 28-58 with your classroom, which one would it be and why?

Question #15

15. Pick one of the chapters from 28-58 that resonated the most with you. Describe your thoughts and reactions.

Question #16

16. Part 6 – Chapters 59-61
Final Remarks:
*Share 8 lesson plan ideas that incorporate some part of Randy’s book that you could apply to your classroom.

Ex -
Clare Cavanaugh - Lesson Plan Ideas

Idea #1 - Creating a Classroom Environment
Pose Question #3 to your class. Give each student a ceiling tile (if your school will allow) or a large roll of paper. Have them paint "the ceiling or wall" as they see it. Hang them up and let their work of art inspire dialogue and writing activities throughout the year.

Please send all 8 ideas in a word document to me in an attachment to clare78@roadrunner.com.

When I have received this from each participant, I will compile all of the information into one document and send it to each of you. You will then have a bank of resources to use and share with others!

Evaluation

Once the course is completed, I will send you the bank of resources (lesson plan ideas). I will forward your name to the teacher center and they will send you a certificate. They will also have you fill out a survey.

Thanks for taking this course! I hope you enjoyed the class and that these resources will be helpful to you in the future. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to post them here!