Halloween Lesson, Part 1: Randi’s “Secrets of the Psychics”
Posted by mattusmaximus on October 28, 2010
I want to share with you all a couple of Halloween-related lessons I give to my students every year. That’s because this time of year is the perfect time to inject some explicit critical thinking & skepticism of all things spooky that go “bump” in the night. I also tie it all in to scientific inquiry…
The first lesson I give my students is that I show them James Randi’s “Secrets of the Psychics” video from NOVA. Though it was released in 1993, it is still one of the most well-done videos on the topic, and it is the perfect length & tone for a high school or college class. Below is a link to Youtube where you can access the entire episode (50-60 minutes long), and I would also like to share with you the notesheet that I have my students fill in as they’re watching the video – Secrets of the Psychics Notesheet
Over the next few days, I will share with you part 2 of my Halloween lesson. I’m certain you’ll enjoy it, so stay tuned 🙂
Addendum: In addition, I share some good Halloween & skeptically-themed weblinks with my students on the course website. They are the Snopes.com page on Halloween urban legends and the Skeptic’s Dictionary entry on Halloween – I highly recommend sharing these with your friends, family, and students.
The Skeptical Teacher 
Dean Baird said
Here’s my questions sheet to accompany the video. (My students might have a shorter attention span than yours.)
NOVA: James Randi – Secrets of the Psychics
I own a copy on VHS. It sure would be nice it this were available on DVD.
Dean Baird said
Almost forgot: here’s the answer key!
NOVA: James Randi – Secrets of the Psychics answer key
Halloween Lesson, Part 2: The Haunted Physics Lab « The Skeptical Teacher said
[…] you recall, last week I posted the first of two skeptical lessons with a Halloween theme to them, and now I share with you the second one: the Haunted Physics Lab. I cannot take credit for this […]