Period 2 Blog #19

Student Question | What Makes You Happy?

By Michael Gonchar

April 7, 2016 5:00 am April 7, 2016 5:00 am 

What makes you happy?

Have you figured out the things in life that truly make you happy? Have those things changed as you’ve gotten older?

In “The Keys to Happiness,” Victoria Shannon reports on what we know about how to achieve happiness, according to recent research and expert advice:

Make Friends and Family a Priority …
One of the longest-running studies on living well and happily emphasizes the importance of your relationships with family, friends and spouses.

… Especially on Weekends
Busy lives can get in the way of happiness. Our feeling of well-being peaks on weekends, largely because of more time spent with friends and family, this academic says.

Income Equality Helps (So Move to Scandinavia)
National unhappiness is strongly associated with a country’s social inequality, research shows. One index finds that Scandinavia, a place with a wide and broad social net, is the location of the world’s happiest countries.

Gratitude Does, Too
Pharrell Williams, the star behind the 2014 hit music video “Happy,” on the happiness phenomenon: ”If you’re grateful, you can find happiness in everything.”

The Health Factor
A correlation between happiness and good health has been evident for centuries. But which comes first? Does robust health lead to a good mood or the reverse?

It’s Really Good for Kids
Happy kids learn faster, think more creatively, tend to be more resilient in the face of failures, have stronger relationships and make friends more easily.

Well, most of them. Fifteen-year-old girls were found to be the unhappiest group in this report last month on boys and girls.

Don’t Overdo It
Happiness engineers, chief fun officers, ministers of happiness … there’s evidence that “fungineering” at work might have precisely the opposite effect: making people miserable.

And Don’t Obsess About It
Four academics discuss whether the pursuit of happiness is an unhealthy preoccupation.

If All Else Fails, Fake It
Can you fake your way to confidence and happiness? You can, if you “just say yes,” advise self-help books by Amy Cuddy and Shonda Rhimes.

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:

— What recent moments of happiness have you experienced, whether large or small? What do you think made them so satisfying?

— Have you figured out a “magic formula” for happiness that works for you? What are the ingredients? Do you think those ingredients will change as you get older?

— Look through the list that Ms. Shannon compiled? What is your reaction? Did anything surprise you?

Period 3 Blog #19

Student Question | What Makes You Happy?

By Michael Gonchar

April 7, 2016 5:00 am April 7, 2016 5:00 am 

What makes you happy?

Have you figured out the things in life that truly make you happy? Have those things changed as you’ve gotten older?

In “The Keys to Happiness,” Victoria Shannon reports on what we know about how to achieve happiness, according to recent research and expert advice:

Make Friends and Family a Priority …
One of the longest-running studies on living well and happily emphasizes the importance of your relationships with family, friends and spouses.

… Especially on Weekends
Busy lives can get in the way of happiness. Our feeling of well-being peaks on weekends, largely because of more time spent with friends and family, this academic says.

Income Equality Helps (So Move to Scandinavia)
National unhappiness is strongly associated with a country’s social inequality, research shows. One index finds that Scandinavia, a place with a wide and broad social net, is the location of the world’s happiest countries.

Gratitude Does, Too
Pharrell Williams, the star behind the 2014 hit music video “Happy,” on the happiness phenomenon: ”If you’re grateful, you can find happiness in everything.”

The Health Factor
A correlation between happiness and good health has been evident for centuries. But which comes first? Does robust health lead to a good mood or the reverse?

It’s Really Good for Kids
Happy kids learn faster, think more creatively, tend to be more resilient in the face of failures, have stronger relationships and make friends more easily.

Well, most of them. Fifteen-year-old girls were found to be the unhappiest group in this report last month on boys and girls.

Don’t Overdo It
Happiness engineers, chief fun officers, ministers of happiness … there’s evidence that “fungineering” at work might have precisely the opposite effect: making people miserable.

And Don’t Obsess About It
Four academics discuss whether the pursuit of happiness is an unhealthy preoccupation.

If All Else Fails, Fake It
Can you fake your way to confidence and happiness? You can, if you “just say yes,” advise self-help books by Amy Cuddy and Shonda Rhimes.

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:

— What recent moments of happiness have you experienced, whether large or small? What do you think made them so satisfying?

— Have you figured out a “magic formula” for happiness that works for you? What are the ingredients? Do you think those ingredients will change as you get older?

— Look through the list that Ms. Shannon compiled? What is your reaction? Did anything surprise you?

Period 9/10 Blog #19

Student Question | What Makes You Happy?

By Michael Gonchar

April 7, 2016 5:00 am April 7, 2016 5:00 am 

What makes you happy?

Have you figured out the things in life that truly make you happy? Have those things changed as you’ve gotten older?

In “The Keys to Happiness,” Victoria Shannon reports on what we know about how to achieve happiness, according to recent research and expert advice:

Make Friends and Family a Priority …
One of the longest-running studies on living well and happily emphasizes the importance of your relationships with family, friends and spouses.

… Especially on Weekends
Busy lives can get in the way of happiness. Our feeling of well-being peaks on weekends, largely because of more time spent with friends and family, this academic says.

Income Equality Helps (So Move to Scandinavia)
National unhappiness is strongly associated with a country’s social inequality, research shows. One index finds that Scandinavia, a place with a wide and broad social net, is the location of the world’s happiest countries.

Gratitude Does, Too
Pharrell Williams, the star behind the 2014 hit music video “Happy,” on the happiness phenomenon: ”If you’re grateful, you can find happiness in everything.”

The Health Factor
A correlation between happiness and good health has been evident for centuries. But which comes first? Does robust health lead to a good mood or the reverse?

It’s Really Good for Kids
Happy kids learn faster, think more creatively, tend to be more resilient in the face of failures, have stronger relationships and make friends more easily.

Well, most of them. Fifteen-year-old girls were found to be the unhappiest group in this report last month on boys and girls.

Don’t Overdo It
Happiness engineers, chief fun officers, ministers of happiness … there’s evidence that “fungineering” at work might have precisely the opposite effect: making people miserable.

And Don’t Obsess About It
Four academics discuss whether the pursuit of happiness is an unhealthy preoccupation.

If All Else Fails, Fake It
Can you fake your way to confidence and happiness? You can, if you “just say yes,” advise self-help books by Amy Cuddy and Shonda Rhimes.

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:

— What recent moments of happiness have you experienced, whether large or small? What do you think made them so satisfying?

— Have you figured out a “magic formula” for happiness that works for you? What are the ingredients? Do you think those ingredients will change as you get older?

— Look through the list that Ms. Shannon compiled? What is your reaction? Did anything surprise you?

Period 2 Blog #18

Your comment post should be at least 380 words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).

Student Question | If Teenagers Are Such Bad Drivers, Should They Be Allowed to Drive?

By MICHAEL GONCHAR

 MARCH 22, 2016 5:00 AM March 22, 2016 5:00 am 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash.”

If teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive?

In “Teenage Drivers? Be Very Afraid,” Bruce Feiler recommends that one way to improve safety among teenage drivers is to get parents more involved:

Spend enough time having parenting conversations, as I’ve done personally and professionally for the last dozen years, and certain patterns emerge. In nine out of 10 cases, if you’re talking about highly motivated parents, the message to Mom and Dad is: back off, chill out, park the helicopter.

Whether you want your children to be independent, resilient, creative; whether you’re talking to teachers, psychologists, grandparents; whether you’re discussing homework, food, sports; the recommendation, time and again, is relax.

Recently, I stumbled onto a topic in which the advice was the exact opposite.

Among the people who know what they are talking about, the unanimous message to parents is: You’re not worried nearly enough. Get much more involved. Your child’s life may be in danger.

What’s the topic? Teenage driving.

“If you’re going to have an early, untimely death,” said Nichole Morris, a principal researcher at the HumanFIRST Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, “the most dangerous two years of your life are between 16 and 17, and the reason for that is driving.”

Among this age group, death in motor vehicle accidents outstrips suicide, cancer and other types of accidents, Dr. Morris said. “Cars have gotten safer, roads have gotten safer, but teen drivers have not,” she said.

Students: Read the entire essay, then tell us:

— If teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive? Why?

— Do you think it would make sense to raise the age that teenagers get full, unrestricted driver’s licenses from 16 and 17 in most states to 18 or even 20? Why?

— Do you agree with Mr. Feiler that parents should get more involved when it comes to their teenage son or daughter’s driving?

— Can you drive yet? Are you a good driver? Are your friends? Or do you think you will be a good driver when you’re old enough to get your license? Why?

— What do you think is the best way to make teenage driving safer?

Period 3 Blog #18

Your comment post should be at least 380 words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).

Student Question | If Teenagers Are Such Bad Drivers, Should They Be Allowed to Drive?

By MICHAEL GONCHAR

 MARCH 22, 2016 5:00 AM March 22, 2016 5:00 am 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash.”

If teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive?

In “Teenage Drivers? Be Very Afraid,” Bruce Feiler recommends that one way to improve safety among teenage drivers is to get parents more involved:

Spend enough time having parenting conversations, as I’ve done personally and professionally for the last dozen years, and certain patterns emerge. In nine out of 10 cases, if you’re talking about highly motivated parents, the message to Mom and Dad is: back off, chill out, park the helicopter.

Whether you want your children to be independent, resilient, creative; whether you’re talking to teachers, psychologists, grandparents; whether you’re discussing homework, food, sports; the recommendation, time and again, is relax.

Recently, I stumbled onto a topic in which the advice was the exact opposite.

Among the people who know what they are talking about, the unanimous message to parents is: You’re not worried nearly enough. Get much more involved. Your child’s life may be in danger.

What’s the topic? Teenage driving.

“If you’re going to have an early, untimely death,” said Nichole Morris, a principal researcher at the HumanFIRST Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, “the most dangerous two years of your life are between 16 and 17, and the reason for that is driving.”

Among this age group, death in motor vehicle accidents outstrips suicide, cancer and other types of accidents, Dr. Morris said. “Cars have gotten safer, roads have gotten safer, but teen drivers have not,” she said.

Students: Read the entire essay, then tell us:

— If teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive? Why?

— Do you think it would make sense to raise the age that teenagers get full, unrestricted driver’s licenses from 16 and 17 in most states to 18 or even 20? Why?

— Do you agree with Mr. Feiler that parents should get more involved when it comes to their teenage son or daughter’s driving?

— Can you drive yet? Are you a good driver? Are your friends? Or do you think you will be a good driver when you’re old enough to get your license? Why?

— What do you think is the best way to make teenage driving safer?

Period 9/10 Blog #18

Your comment post should be at least 380 words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).

Student Question | If Teenagers Are Such Bad Drivers, Should They Be Allowed to Drive?

By MICHAEL GONCHAR

 MARCH 22, 2016 5:00 AM March 22, 2016 5:00 am 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash.”

If teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive?

In “Teenage Drivers? Be Very Afraid,” Bruce Feiler recommends that one way to improve safety among teenage drivers is to get parents more involved:

Spend enough time having parenting conversations, as I’ve done personally and professionally for the last dozen years, and certain patterns emerge. In nine out of 10 cases, if you’re talking about highly motivated parents, the message to Mom and Dad is: back off, chill out, park the helicopter.

Whether you want your children to be independent, resilient, creative; whether you’re talking to teachers, psychologists, grandparents; whether you’re discussing homework, food, sports; the recommendation, time and again, is relax.

Recently, I stumbled onto a topic in which the advice was the exact opposite.

Among the people who know what they are talking about, the unanimous message to parents is: You’re not worried nearly enough. Get much more involved. Your child’s life may be in danger.

What’s the topic? Teenage driving.

“If you’re going to have an early, untimely death,” said Nichole Morris, a principal researcher at the HumanFIRST Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, “the most dangerous two years of your life are between 16 and 17, and the reason for that is driving.”

Among this age group, death in motor vehicle accidents outstrips suicide, cancer and other types of accidents, Dr. Morris said. “Cars have gotten safer, roads have gotten safer, but teen drivers have not,” she said.

Students: Read the entire essay, then tell us:

— If teenagers are such bad drivers, should they be allowed to drive? Why?

— Do you think it would make sense to raise the age that teenagers get full, unrestricted driver’s licenses from 16 and 17 in most states to 18 or even 20? Why?

— Do you agree with Mr. Feiler that parents should get more involved when it comes to their teenage son or daughter’s driving?

— Can you drive yet? Are you a good driver? Are your friends? Or do you think you will be a good driver when you’re old enough to get your license? Why?

— What do you think is the best way to make teenage driving safer?

Period 2 Blog #17

Your comment post should be at least 370 words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).

Student Question | What’s Your Dream Job?

By MICHAEL GONCHAR  MARCH 10, 2016 5:00 AM March 10, 2016 5:00 am 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Has your dream job changed as you’ve gotten older? Have you already started investing time and effort to try to make it happen?

In “The New Dream Jobs,” Jenna Wortham writes:

When the National Society of High School Scholars asked 18,000 Americans, ages 15 to 29, to rank their ideal future employers, the results were curious. To nobody’s surprise, Google, Apple and Facebook appeared high on the list, but so did the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency. The Build-A-Bear Workshop was No. 50, just a few spots behind Lockheed Martin and JPMorgan Chase. (The New York Times came in at No. 16.)

However scattershot, the survey offers a glimpse into the ambitions of the millennial generation, which already makes up more than a third of the work force. By 2020, it will make up half. Survey after survey shows that millennials want to work for companies that place a premium on employee welfare, offer flexible scheduling and, above all, bestow a sense of purpose. These priorities are well known and frequently mocked, providing grist for the oft-repeated claim that millennials are lazy, entitled job-hoppers.

But it’s important to remember that this generation was shaped by a recession, an unprecedented crush of student debt and a broad decline in the credibility of all kinds of institutions. Stability is an abstract concept to these young workers, so they instead tend to focus on creating a rich, textured life now, rather than planning for a future obscured by uncertainty.

Students: Read the entire article, then answer the questions below:

— What’s your dream job? Why do you want that job? Do you think you’re well suited for it?

— What qualities are most important to you in your future career? Salary? A sense of purpose? Scheduling flexibility? Feeling challenged? Feeling appreciated? The ability to get ahead? Liking what you do or being good at your job? Anything else?

— What investments are you willing to make now to help you get your dream job eventually?

— What companies would you want to work for? Are you surprised by the National Society of High School Scholars survey rankings? Why?