SURVEY: Reviewing and re-ranking tech activities

1. Have each student revisit the ratings they wrote in their survey.
2. They should write any new ratings in the second column.
3. If your class is comfortable with this: Ask students to share what activities they changed their ratings on and why they had this change of heart.

Key Learning: The most powerful ally students have in developing good habits and being able to self-regulate is themselves. Students learn to generate ideas and choices for their happiness and well-being.

Storytime Drawing Distraction

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Theme: Multitasking

Materials: Drawing Page

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Vocabulary: Multitasking

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SAY: Multitasking means trying to do two or more things simultaneously. Our brains can’t do that, so instead, they switch quickly between tasks rather than doing them simultaneously. For example, if you're doing your homework and also trying to watch TV, your brain switches back and forth between the two activities very quickly.

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Materials: A suitable storybook, paper, crayons, and markers.

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Explore:

SAY: Have you ever tried to do two things at once? Or, seen someone watch TV while answering the phone? Have you ever played a video game while doing homework?

That is called multitasking.

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DO: Story/Drawing Distraction

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SAY: You will listen to a story while also creating a drawing on a completely different topic.

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Give each student the drawing page and drawing materials, and assign a drawing topic unrelated to the story, such as ‘draw your favorite animal’ or ‘create a picture of your dream playground.’(Other topic ideas: elephant, bedroom, iPhone, shoe, banana and apple)

• Begin reading the story aloud to the class.
• While you read, encourage the students to focus on drawing their assigned topic.
• After reading for 5 minutes, discuss both the reading and the student's drawings.

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Reflect:  

ASK: What do you remember about the reading? Could you listen, get details of the story, and draw at the same time? Were you able to concentrate on two tasks at the same time?

Key Learning: People might feel like they are getting more and more done by doing a few things at a time, but in truth, they are taking longer to do each task as they switch back and forth between the two tasks. Your brain can only do one thing at a time.

What is Balance?

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Theme: Balance

Materials: Life Balance Wheel

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Vocabulary: Balance

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SAY: Balance means having the right amount of something. It can also mean living in harmony by having a good balance between working hard and having fun. This helps you stay happy and healthy. 

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ASK: What does balance mean for you?

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Explore: 

ASK: Why is balance important? How might balance apply to our use of tech and devices?

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ASK: Do you agree with Tessa in the movie, that there are no downsides to screen addiction? Why or why not? Do you have rules for how much time you can spend on screens? Why do you think there are rules?

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DO: View the clips, then students will complete the Life Balance Wheel.

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Reflect: 

ASK: If you were responsible for younger kids, would you have screen time rules for them?

How does tech affect your friendships?

What small and manageable changes would you consider making in the future as a result of learning more about this? 

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‍Key Learning: Students evaluate their assumptions alongside their peers.