Feedback Strategies

The first article I read was entitled "A Troubling Side Effect of Praise" by Youki Terada in 2017. The story can be found here. Terada explains that simply praising children based on their intelligence "can increase the likelihood that they’ll cheat, according to a new study in Psychological Science." This adverse result of what seems like a positive action relates back to Carol Dweck's research on the Growth Mindset and the Fixed Mindset. When children are told they are smart and feel that their value comes from their intelligence, they "feel pressured to meet people’s expectations" according to the article. I found this interesting and wish more parents would be exposed to this research. Raising children can obviously be complicated, and knowing how to praise them in a productive manner seems very important!

The next article I read was called "How to Give Bad Feedback Without Being a Jerk" by Adam Grant and can be found here. Grant explains that the popular "feedback sandwich" approaching to giving constructive criticism doesn't help the person receiving the feedback very much! It's easy to either for you to come off as insincere or for the person to whom you are giving feedback to just ignore the negatives. Instead, Grant proposes 4 steps: "1. Explain why you’re giving the feedback; 2. Take yourself off a pedestal; 3. Ask if the person wants feedback; and finally 4. Have a transparent dialogue, not a manipulative monologue." These steps seem practical and were very helpful for me to read and think about! Grant suggests that following these steps helps the person receiving the feedback stay open to your thoughts throughout the conversation. I plan to practice giving better feedback in the future by putting these steps into action.

Both of these articles were interesting and helpful to read. I enjoyed learning about how to give better feedback, both positive and negative.

Photo of Adam Grant, the author of the second article 

I looked at for today. Source: Wikimedia

Topic Research: Saint Francis

I've decided to do my storybook project on Saint Francis! I want to focus on retelling stories about his life from the perspectives of other characters. I may name my project "Visions of Saint Francis" or "Encounters with Saint Francis."

The first story I found is from The Little Flowers of St. Francis, translated by W. Heywood on the Sacred Texts website. It recounts how a young boy, just accepted as a monk into the Order, was living with Francis and other friars. One night, the boy arose in the middle of the night and couldn't find Saint Francis. The boy went looking for him and then witnessed "Christ and the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist and the Evangelist and a very great multitude of angels who spake with St. Francis." I would love to retell this story from the perspective of the boy, going into further detail about what he saw that night. The conversation between Francis and the divine is fascinating material.

The second story I want to work with is Saint Francis and Brother Wolf. This story is from the Saints and Animals unit in the UN-Textbook. I want to retell what happened from the perspective of the wolf and explain how exactly Francis was able to tame the wolf and create peace in the town of Gubbio. I love the transformation of the wolf in this story and how the narrative shows Francis helping a community in need.

Finally, I want to retell another story from The Little Flowers of St. Francis on Sacred Texts, this one about Francis and Friar Masseo. Friar Masseo is asked to perform a seemingly childish, silly task by Francis, and later that day Masseo has both skepticism and praise in his heart for Francis. God then reveals to Francis exactly what Masseo was thinking! I love the potential to explore Masseo's views of Saint Francis from a 1st person point of view.

The Wikipedia page on Saint Francis could also serve as a helpful resource for history, context, and additional stories when creating my storybook.

Another great story possibility, also from The Little Flowers of St. Francis on Sacred Texts, tells of Francis freeing a friar who had been descended upon by a demon. This story is short and pretty wide open, so I could easily take it into creative detail. Like the other stories, I would retell it from the perspective of the friar who encounters Francis.

I love this image of Saint Francis casting out demons in Arezzo! Possibly near the OU study

center there?? Giotto di Bondone is the artist here, source: Wikimedia

Week 3 Story: A Letter to Kentigern

A Letter to Kentigern

by Derek Bixler

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This imaginary letter is adapted from a story called "Saint Kentigern and the Robin" in The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown. In the story, a wise old Saint named Servan has his bird killed by a group of jealous students who are attempting to frame their classmate Kentigern. Kentigern is a successful student and beloved by Saint Servan. As Servan accuses Kentigern of killing the bird, Kentigern begins to pray and God raises the robin back to life. Servan quickly realizes the boy is innocent. Saint Servan then loves Kentigern more than ever before. This fictional letter from the perspective of Saint Servan takes place immediately following that story.

Dearest Kentigern,

Let this letter serve as my formal, sincere apology to your wise young soul. I had never quite realized the extent to which your classmates were jealous of the great pride I take in your success. It never would have occurred to me that they would scheme against you and attempt to frame you for a crime so painful to my heart as the killing of my little Redbreast Robin. That bird, as you know, joins me as a treasured companion as I sing daily songs of praise to our wonderful Creator. To kill this sweet creature was truly a despicable act and not one that I should have believed you would ever take part in. My great moment of distress upon seeing this bird without life led me to unreasonable conclusions. As a saint and trusted instructor, I must learn to keep my wits about me when evaluating painful situations. In contrast, I'm exceptionally proud of the way you handled that tough situation. Your presence of mind to offer sincere prayer paired beautifully with the gracious response from the Lord, as He raised my bird to life by means of your tears. I have harshly punished the shameful classmates who framed you and will treasure you as a pupil even more than before. Surely I won't soon forget, nor the saved bird, nor our God most of all, the thoughtful response you gave today. You will go on to be a respected saint in the church; I am sure of this. All of Scotland will someday remember you for your wisdom. I cannot wait to observe the progression of your life and am proud to be your teacher and friend. After what we have seen today, surely God will continue to watch over your every move. A child of great blessings you are, Kentigern. Grace and peace to you.

With great affection, a contrite heart, and sincere gratitude,

Saint Servan

A photo of Glasgow Cathedral in Glasgow, Scotland, the city

near where this tale of Saint Servan and young Saint Kentigern

takes place. Source: Wikimedia

BIBLIOGRAPHY: The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown (1900). From the UN-Textbook unit on Saints and Animals. Story link: Saint Kentigern and the Robin.

Reading Notes: Saints and Animals Part B

For Part B of the Saints and Animals unit, I'm going to keep focusing on beautiful sentences (like I did at the end of my notes for Part B).

The first story for today was about Saint Gudwall. Early in the reading, the author powerfully sets a scene in Wales: "The island was one of those high mountains poking up out of the sea, with green grass on top, like colored frosting to a cake; and gray rocks below, all hollowed out into deep caves and crannies, as if mice had been nibbling at the cake." I was gripped by this description. The metaphorical language of the description was striking and made me want to visit Wales!

The next story in the unit involved Saint Ailbe. My favorite sentence in this reading was a piece of dialogue. Saint Ailbe says to his wolf-mother, "'When I was little and young and feeble, thou didst nourish and cherish and protect me; and now that thou art old and gray and weak, shall I not render the same love and care to thee? None shall injure thee.'" This line is not notable for any brilliant imagery, but rather for its emotional power in context of the larger story. Saint Ailbe is now wise, wealthy, and loved by humans, and he vows to take care of this wolf who once took care of him.

The next reading was a ballad about Saint Athracta. The ending lines of poetry were impactful during my reading:

"Her realm a holy place of peace,

Where, with the ancient nags,

Lived out their days in pleasant ways

Athracta's faithful Stags."

I found the poetry here rich with strong adjectives. These lines wrapped up the ballad nicely.

I enjoyed the next ballad I read, which was about Saint Felix, yet no lines in particular jumped out at me. The next reading was another ballad, this one about Saint Giles. In this reading, I found the following stanza memorable:

"But on a dewy springtime morn

When April climbed the hill,

There came the wind of silver horn,

Halloos and whistles shrill"

Much like the last ballad I commented on, these lines had strong adjectives and lively language.

Finally, I read about Saint Francis of Assisi. Near the end of the Saint's life, the author paints this picture of an aging Francis: "For he was worn with wandering; he was ill and weak, and his gentle eyes were growing dim so that he could not go along the winding ways. But he was happy still." I was struck by the power in the description of a man who had lived a long, hard life yet still found some measure happiness. It was truly a beautiful image.

 A depiction of Saint Francis and the wolf from Saint Francis of 

 Assisi Church in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato State, Mexico. 

 Source: Wikimedia


BIBLIOGRAPHY: All stories from the Saints and Animals unit in the UN-Textbook. Story source: The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown (1900).

Reading Notes: Saints and Animals Part A

One style of notetaking I want to use this week is focusing on the ending of stories!

The first story, featured a virtuous young man named Kentigern who is framed by his jealous classmates in killing a saint's pet bird. The story ends powerfully with Kentigern praying for the bird to be raised to life, and the miracle actually occurring. Here is the final sentence, talking about the classmates: "They had learned that lesson, and thenceforth they were more kind and respectful to a boy over whom some kind Power seemed to keep special charge."
I love how the author notes the change in behavior of the boys and details the awe they have developed for Kentigern. It closes the story nicely and shows a marked change from the attitudes of the classmates earlier in the story.

The next story I read retold events from the life of Saint Blaise. The saint loved wild beasts, and the creatures would flock to him peacefully. The civil authorities ended up killing Blaise for his adherence to Christianity. The story ends with an impressive scene, as Blaise walks on water as soldiers attempted to drown him and then walks back to shore, choosing to die out of his own readiness and free will. The author explains that memorial bonfires were held in England for a long time honoring the saint. The final sentence notes that "And we can well believe that all the little animals came out of their dens and burrows and nests at the sight of these fires, and thought with loving hearts of the dear old Saint who so many years ago used to be kind to their ancestors, the beasts in the forests of Armenia."
The ending to the story is vivid, and this concluding sentence continues a major theme of the story-- the animals' great love for Blaise. The evocative words here helped me understand the true devotion these animals had for the saint.

The next technique I want to try is focusing on beautiful sentences.

 In the next story I read, on Saint Comgall, the author vividly paints the opening setting: "There the green hills of Saint Patrick's island smile over at the purple cliffs of Scotland across the lane of water where the ships pass to and fro, just as neighbors nod across a narrow street above the heads of the passers-by." I love the use of colors and warm imagery in this sentence.

Finally, I read the story of Saint Berach and this sentence stuck out to me as exceptionally beautiful and descriptive: "After that came a winter when for weeks the ground was white with snow, and the laughing mouths of the brooks were sealed with ice." I love the imagery in the back half of that phrase!

Painting from the 17th century of Saint Blaise's death

by Gaspar de Crayer. Source: Wikimedia

BIBLIOGRAPHY: This story is part of the Saints and Animals unit in the UN-textbook. Story source: The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown (1900).