Unit 4: Pursuing Happiness PBL skylar getty by Skylar Getty

KWL Chart

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-09 16:15:52 UTC

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-16 16:21:24 UTC

This article goes through and debunks the myth that happiness is circumstantial, meaning you don't have to wait for everything in your life to be "perfect". I personally agree because i think we can choose to be happy, no matter the situation.

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-16 16:38:01 UTC

This article goes on about how food and happiness are directly related because of the pleasure that food causes us to have because it rewards the pleasure and reward centers of our brain. It also talks about how food can lead to obesity and that makes people unhappy, so it leads one to believe that there needs to be a healthy balance of those outside sources of happiness that we can control.

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-16 22:49:25 UTC

This article goes in depth about how happiness isn't this constant thing. The author defines happiness as "Our ability to connect with others, to have meaningful relationships, to have a community." I agree with this statement because we need relationships in order to be happy, as evident with Holden in "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-16 22:49:47 UTC

Research has found that pet-owners are generally happier, healthier, and more adjusted to life. Pets serve as sources of social and emotional support and are the same as a human friend. I agree with the statement this article is stating because I own dogs and cats and I can lean on them for support without needing them to talk. It is also found that animals, specifically dogs, are able to notice when their owners are sad and will try to comfort them in any way possible.

how does mental disease affect our ability to be happy?

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-16 22:53:49 UTC

I created a survey that had the question "What do you find the hardest to overcome when you are trying to find true happiness?" and about 40% of those who responded claimed mental disease was the most impacting. It really brings to light how widespread mental disease is and how much it can affect how we find happiness and it can also make it harder to find outside sources of happiness or outlets. I definitely connect because I used to have a mental illness and it made it even harder to be happy and be with my friends.

how does school affecting our stress levels impact happiness?

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-24 16:39:23 UTC

I created a survey and one of the questions was "How does school affect your happiness?" and I got many answers. Most answers included that is makes them stressed, it's overwhelming, it makes them unhappy but they have no control over it, or that it is a good distraction from outside sources of unhappiness. I agree with the points made by people that is stresses them out and the fact that is is uncontrollable makes it even worse.

What makes my dad happy.

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-30 16:43:59 UTC

I asked my dad, who has been one of the greatest people in my life, what makes him happy. His response included seeing my brother and I succeed and learn from our mistakes, being with my brother and I and my stepmom, playing soccer, and hanging out with his friends. Along with my grandparents, he responded with simpler things and a lot less materialistic things than a majority of teenagers would say. There are some similarities, like playing sports or being with friends, but feeling the way he feels about my brother and I or about my stepmom, his wife, is only something we can hope to feel as we get older and become more experienced. I love that my brother and I can make my dad happy and it's also interesting how we can find happiness because of the way others find happiness.

What makes my grandparents happy.

skylarget1113 — 2018-04-30 16:45:49 UTC

I asked my grandparents, who are about 70 years old, what makes them happy. They stated that they are happy waking up every morning and having each other, happy being able to pay their bills, happy that they were able to raise their kids and grandchildren, sitting in front of a fireplace together drinking a cold beer, playing with our dogs and cats, and watching the cubs play baseball. My grandparents seem to find happiness in the simple things in life, instead of the more materialistic things that most teenagers and some adults find make them happy. It was really interesting to see how such small things make them happy and I enjoy how I can somewhat relate at this point in my life and I look forward to reaching toward the smaller things to please me later in life.

Money

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-07 16:46:43 UTC

Although many believe that money and things of great monetary value will make them happy, I think that money only makes people continuously want more and be more unhappy. I think an abundance of money makes people more materialistic and highers their expectations in life so they will want more and won't be as happy with the smaller, simpler things in life. I know a lot of upper class people that only find happiness in spending money or buying things and it's really annoying and upsetting to see because life is way much more than money.

Friends

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-08 21:55:07 UTC

Like most people, being with and doing things with my friends tends to make me happy. I enjoy the company and the fun I have when I am out with my friends. It also makes me really happy when I make meaningful memories with them. My friends are also a huge part of my support system and I am truly thankful for every friend that has come in my life because they have helped me make so many happy memories and they continue to be a huge source of my current happiness.

video

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-08 21:58:47 UTC

having a support system

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-11 16:40:14 UTC

Knowing that I am always able to talk to my parents, brother, and friends whenever I need help or just someone to talk to really makes me happy. There are so many people that don't have anyone that is there for them so I am always grateful when I am able to have one of those experiences.

my dogs

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-11 16:46:54 UTC

Whenever I can, I always spend time with my dogs because they always bring me happiness. I love animals, especially dogs, and it's always so much fun when I spend time with them. Playing and being with my dogs really relaxes me and they act as a happy distraction whenever I need one.

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-14 16:25:02 UTC

<<-- my other dog

What makes my brother happy.

skylarget1113 — 2018-05-15 16:06:01 UTC

Along with my grandparents and parents, I also asked my brother, who is a senior, what makes him happy. He responded with spending time with the people he loves, going for a run with friends (he is a runner), food, spending time with his girlfriend, listening to music, sleeping in, and breadsticks from olive garden. A lot of the things that bring him happiness also bring me happiness so I can relate to him more than I do to my parents or grandparents. This kind of shows how age can affect what things make you happy.