AOW #1 HAPPY TEENS: THREE-LEVEL GUIDE
NAME:___________________________________DATE:__________PERIOD:_______
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions pertaining to the article. Write in complete sentences. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
1. What is this article {ABOUT} _____________? Write two or three complete sentences.
Literal Level
Based on what you read in the article, circle whether you accept or reject the following statements. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
2. Gained 15 percent more of a sense of meaning in their life.
Accept / Reject
Why?_____________________________________________________________________
3. “Gratitude played an important role in many areas of positive mental health of the teens in our study,”...
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
4. “More gratitude may be precisely what our society needs to raise a generation that is ready to make a difference in the world.”
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
Interpretive Level
Sometimes meaning comes not from what is directly stated but from what the reader can infer or conclude. Based on the article, confirm or reject the following statements as reasonable inferences or conclusions. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
5. Teens who are grateful for what they have are happier than teens who are not appreciative.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
6. Grateful teens respond positively to the good things and people in their lives.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
7. An attitude of gratitude is useless and should not be developed as we grow up.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
Applied Level
Based on the article and your own understanding of gratitude and happiness, confirm or reject the following statements. provide a rationale for each of your answers.
8. It is better to be grateful than to be ungrateful.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
9. Teachers and parents must make sure that teens are grateful or teens will be unhappy.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
10. If I am grateful for what I have, I am more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol or have behavioral problems.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
VOCABULARY
11. What does significant mean?
12. What does delinquency mean?
13. What does persistence mean?
ANALYZING THE TEXT
14. Who do you think this article was written for and what is the purpose for the article? Explain who you think the intended audience is in four or more sentences.
15. Do you think that teens who are exposed to poverty or others who are less fortunate, will be more appreciative of what they have and therefore happier? Why or why not?
DIRECTIONS: PUT the names of all the members in your group, including yourself, in the boxes at the top of the columns (one name per column). Read the statements, and circle “A” if you agree or “D” if you disagree with the statement. Then predict the responses of the other people in your group; whether they would agree or disagree. Once all members of your group are finished, discuss with each other why you agreed or disagreed with the statements.
STATEMENT
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NAME:
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NAME:
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NAME:
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NAME:
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1. Teens should be grateful for what they have.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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2. If you focus on what you have, you are less likely to be sad about what you don’t have.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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3. I won’t be a happier person just by being appreciative.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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7th G: AOW #2 MEDITATION: THREE-LEVEL GUIDE
NAME:___________________________________DATE:__________PERIOD:_______
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions pertaining to the article. Write complete and correct sentences. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
1. What is this article {ABOUT} _____________? Write three or four complete sentences.
Literal Level
Based on what you read in the article, circle whether you accept or reject the following statements. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
2. Studies show that meditation can improve our psychological wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety, addiction and depression and improving memory and critical thinking.
Accept / Reject
Why?_____________________________________________________________________
3. ...it changes our brain…The practice can change the way that neurons talk to each other, creating new circuits….some brain regions become thicker, while making others less dense.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
4. The researchers found that not only did the study’s participants report 27 percent lower pain sensation after using the mindfulness technique, they also were able to measure 45 percent less brain activity in the pain matrix after subjects implemented the exercise.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
Interpretive Level
Sometimes meaning comes not from what is directly stated but from what the reader can infer or conclude. Based on the article, confirm or reject the following statements as reasonable inferences or conclusions. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
5. Meditation could help teens through stressful events like a move, breakup or divorce.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
6. Meditation not only has psychological but also physical benefits such as reduced blood pressure, pain response, stress hormone levels, and even cellular health.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
7. Referenced research in the article implies that meditation CAN NOT help maintain cognitive function that is located in the prefrontal cortex.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
Applied Level
Based on the article and your own understanding of meditation and mindfulness, confirm or reject the following statements. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
8. Schools should consider implementing a meditation session for students to do every morning before school starts in order to increase cognitive function.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
9. The practice of meditation and mindfulness can help those who are dependent on various drugs and medications to eventually reduce or eliminate their dependency on the drugs.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
10. I am likely to try daily meditation because of the research explaining the various benefits of meditation.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
VOCABULARY
11. What does “COP” mean?
12. What is a NEURON?
13. What does STIMULI mean?
ANALYZING THE TEXT
14. Who do you think this article was written for and what is the purpose for the article? Explain who you think the intended audience is in three or more sentences.
15. Do you think that teens could benefit from practicing meditation daily or often? Why or why not?
GROUP WORK:
DIRECTIONS: PUT the names of all the members in your group, including yourself, in the boxes at the top of the columns (one name per column). Read the statements, and circle “A” if you agree or “D” if you disagree with the statement. Then predict the responses of the other people in your group; whether they would agree or disagree. Once all members of your group are finished, discuss with each other why you agreed or disagreed with the statements.
STATEMENT
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NAME:
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NAME:
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NAME:
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NAME:
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1. Daily practice of meditation can reduce dependence on doctors, drugs, and other forms of expensive medical care.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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2. People should practice consistent meditation first before trying other forms of medical treatment.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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3. Schools should implement a daily meditation routine for students and teachers at some point during the school day.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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9th G: AOW #2 MEDITATION: THREE-LEVEL GUIDE
NAME:___________________________________DATE:__________PERIOD:_______
ARTICLES:
- EXERCISING THE MIND TO TREAT ATTENTION DEFICITS- NY TIMES
- BREATHING IN VS. SPACING OUT - NY TIMES
- SEEKING SERENITY ON A SCREEN - NY TIMES
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions pertaining to the article. Write complete and correct sentences. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
1. What is this article {ABOUT} _____________? Write three or four complete sentences.
Literal Level
Based on what you read in the article, circle whether you accept or reject the following statements. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
2. According to a recent report in Clinical Neurophysiology, adults with A.D.D. were shown to benefit from mindfulness training combined with cognitive therapy; their improvements in mental performance were comparable to those achieved by subjects taking medications.
Accept / Reject
Why?_____________________________________________________________________
3. Meditation is a cognitive control exercise that enhances “the ability to self-regulate your internal distractions,”....
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
4. Few adolescents with A.D.H.D. in the United States were taking medication; most in Finland were.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
Interpretive Level
Sometimes meaning comes not from what is directly stated but from what the reader can infer or conclude. Based on the article, confirm or reject the following statements as reasonable inferences or conclusions. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
5. Researchers are not sure that medication for A.D.H.D. should be used as a first line of treatment.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
6. There are no long-term, lasting benefits from taking A.D.H.D. medications.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
7. Cognitive control or mindfulness may also be defined as delay of gratification, impulse management, emotional self-regulation or self-control, the suppression of irrelevant thoughts, and paying attention or learning readiness.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
Applied Level
Based on the article and your own understanding of meditation and mindfulness, confirm or reject the following statements. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
8. If you can control your thoughts, you are more likely to determine your success both in school and in work life.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
9. The practice of meditation or mindfulness can help those who are dependent on various drugs and medications to eventually reduce or eliminate their dependency on the drugs.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
10. I am likely to try regular meditation or mindfulness exercises because I would like to have more cognitive control, delay gratification, manage impulse, emotionally self-regulate, suppress irrelevant thoughts, and pay attention or be ready to learn.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
VOCABULARY
11. What does “QUOTIDIAN” or ___________________mean?
12. What does “DISENCHANTMENT” or _________________mean?
13. What does “IMPULSIVITY” or _____________________mean?
ANALYZING THE TEXT
14. Who do you think this article was written for and what is the purpose for the article? Explain who you think the intended audience is in three or more sentences.
15. Do you think that teens could benefit from practicing meditation or mindfulness exercises daily or often? Why or why not?
GROUP WORK:
DIRECTIONS: PUT the names of all the members in your group, including yourself, in the boxes at the top of the columns (one name per column). Read the statements, and circle “A” if you agree or “D” if you disagree with the statement. Then predict the responses of the other people in your group; whether they would agree or disagree. Once all members of your group are finished, discuss with each other why you agreed or disagreed with the statements.
STATEMENT
|
NAME:
|
NAME:
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NAME:
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NAME:
|
1. Daily practice of meditation/mindfulness can reduce dependence on doctors, drugs, and other forms of expensive medical care.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
|
2. People should practice consistent meditation/mindfulness first before trying other forms of medical treatment.
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A D
|
A D
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A D
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A D
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3. Schools should implement a daily meditation/mindfulness routine for students and teachers at some point during the school day.
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A D
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A D
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A D
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A D
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AOW #3 Your Teen is Reading WHAT? THREE-LEVEL GUIDE
NAME:___________________________________DATE:__________PERIOD:_______
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions pertaining to the article. Write in complete sentences. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
1. What is this article {ABOUT} _____________? Write two or three complete sentences.
Literal Level
Based on what you read in the article, circle whether you accept or reject the following statements. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
2. Teen Read Week which runs October 14-20, is a national literacy initiative from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) aimed at inspiring teens to read for fun--on paper, online, on an e-reader--and to use their library to find great reading materials.
Accept / Reject
Why?_____________________________________________________________________
3. Multiple studies...show that students who read for fun achieve more in school.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
4. Libraries--and there are more of them nationwide than there are McDonald’s restaurants--offer reading materials as well as public programs encouraging teens to read that combine fun and learning.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
Interpretive Level
Sometimes meaning comes not from what is directly stated but from what the reader can infer or conclude. Based on the article, confirm or reject the following statements as reasonable inferences or conclusions. Provide a rationale for each of your answers.
5. Reading for fifteen minutes a day will dramatically increase a person’s vocabulary.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
6. Even though we are surrounded by social media and can stay connected to each other in virtually thousands of ways, it’s very easy to feel like no one ever really hears you or understands you.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
7. The relationship between a reader and a writer is magical because the writer’s story isn’t really alive until someone reads it, and each individual who reads it makes it his or her own.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
Applied Level
Based on the article and your own understanding of the benefits of reading, confirm or reject the following statements. provide a rationale for each of your answers.
8. I can find great materials to read for fun by checking out YALSA’s awesome lists of recommended books at www.ala.org/yalsa or by visiting with a Librarian at the school or community library.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
9. I will understand myself, my friends, my family, and the world better by reading various books and materials.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
10. I plan to actively read fifteen minutes everyday in Ms. Williamson’s class so that I can increase my vocabulary, learn new things, and understand other people better.
Accept / Reject
Why? _____________________________________________________________________
11. More people will understand me better if I know how to say what I want or how I feel through writing.
Accept / Reject
Why?______________________________________________________________________
VOCABULARY
12. What does _________________ or DYSTOPIC mean?
13. What does ________________ or ENRICH mean?
ANALYZING THE TEXT
14. Who do you think this article was written for and what is the purpose for the article? Explain who you think the intended audience is in four or more sentences.
15. Do you think that teens who read more are more successful in school and other aspects of their life? Why or why not?
