Tip of the Iceberg Writing Assignment (Psychology/Sociology Electives)

One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the school year is the Tip of the Iceberg Writing Assignment! I first explain that in the hallways of school we only see the "tip of the iceberg" but there is a whole other part of us that others don't see. I tell the students that I want to know their whole story to be the best teacher I can be for them. I ask the students to write a letter to me and I write a letter to the students as the template for the assignment. The students tell me so much valuable information (there is a framework for their writing) and I write down one thing about them from their letter on my seating chart under their name! I usually look for something positive/interest of the student. Throughout the year if I'm looking to connect with a student I bring up the thing I wrote down like "motorcycles", "cheerleading", "working at Taco Bell". I also make a private page for confidential information that I need to know such as difficult family circumstances or other hardships. Once they know you actually read their letter to get to know them they totally open up to you!

You can also have the students go back and analyze their letters later in the year for various types of lessons.

Most first day of school activities only ask the students to share a fun fact in front of their peers and they just don't open up like they do in a personal letter. It is so valuable to my teaching and no matter the location or age group it always turns out amazing!

You can do one day in aclass of the students writing their letters or you can have the students complete their letter at home.