Beware the Smart Kids Teacher Resources

With the help of some teacher friends, I’ve put together resources for teachers who are using using Beware the Smart Kids in their class. Thank you to Katie Keckler for helping create these resources.

Essay Questions

Question 1

In Beware the Smart Kids, a number of the characters struggle with one or more of the following three happiness myths. Mr. Barno addresses each of these lessons in some way during his conversations with Nolan.

1. Happiness must be found
2. Happiness lies in changing our circumstances
3. You are either born happy or not

Part 1: Chose one of the myths above. Using evidence from the text, explain how Mr. Barno teaches Nolan this lesson, and how Nolan incorporates it into his life.

Part 2: Do you agree or disagree with this myth? Reflect on how this myth applies to your own life.

Question 2

In Beware the Smart Kids, Mr. Barno addresses four happiness pitfalls during his lessons with Nolan.

1. Hedonic Adaptation
2. Impact Bias
3. Immune Neglect
4. Misguided Reference Points

Part 1: Chose one of the pitfalls above. Using evidence from the text, explain how Mr. Barno teaches Nolan this lesson, and how Nolan incorporates it into his life.

Part 2: Reflect on how this pitfall applies to your own life and what you can do to avoid it.

Question 3

Research one of the four happiness pitfalls that Mr. Barno teaches Nolan.

1. Hedonic Adaptation
2. Impact Bias
3. Immune Neglect
4. Misguided Reference Points

What is this pitfall? How do you feel this pitfall has effected both your own life, and Nolan’s life? Use evidence from the text and outside research to support your claim.

Question 4

Mr. Barno quickly becomes a mentor for Nolan the more he begins to visit. Who is someone that is a mentor in your life? How have they inspired you or helped you grow?

In-Class Project Ideas

Activity 1

Use smart phone microphones or computer microphones to have students record their own podcast. Each episode/group could be assigned a happiness myth or pitfall that is discussed in the book. For this activity, students would need to write a script, assign roles, research, and present the episode the class.

Activity 2

Have students create a ‘one pager’ about happiness myths or pitfalls, using text and images. Each student will become an expert on one and then shared with the class. Alternatively, have students create an infographic or webpage using the free Adobe Express software to host their one pager.

Activity 3

This is a matching activity. Have students take the three happiness myths and match them to characters in the story. For example, ask students: What happiness myths does ______ believe in and what evidence from the book demonstrates that? Does the character overcome this myth, or are they still struggling with it at the end of the book?

Happiness Myths:

1. Happiness must be found
2. Happiness lies in changing our circumstances
3. You are either born happy or not

Characters to match them to:

• Nolan
• Branson
• Neil
• Gabi
• Sarah
• Nolan’s parents
• Mrs. Meyers (Gabi’s Mom)

Book Dr. Kushin as a guest in your class

I am a teacher. I love talking to students. If you would like to have me for a thirty-minute virtual visit to your class, please feel out this form. Please know that my schedule is very busy and I cannot accommodate all requests. I will do my very best. I do not charge a fee to talk to classes that are reading Beware the Smart Kids. Thank you so much for your interest.

Want more?

1. Beware the Smart Kids book discussion questions
2. Suggested Readings & a deep dive into the Atlas to a Kinder Universe
3. Listen to the Atlas to a Kinder Universe Podcast on Spotify
4. If you’re local to Shepherd University, you could always take my special topics class COMM 402: Happiness: Media versus Reality when it is offered. Or, you can read about the happiness and media class and see the syllabus