Marc Christan Carolino 11 – STEM1 (Obedience) ENG 4 Performance Task 1.

Title: OMG, I Can’t Even: Drama, Social Skills, and the Teenage Brain

Thesis Statement: Teenage drama is a path for healthy skill development of students because it
guides their brains around decision-making, perspective, empathy, and mindfulness.

I. Introduction
A. Drama among teenagers
1. natural disconnect in developing brains
2. ever present, overwhelming, and isn't going away
B. Drama in different contexts
1. shortcut for students' skill-issue
2. opening to build skills
C. Why is it so present for our youths

II. Key factors affecting Social-Emotional detachments

A. Impulse control
1. underdeveloped brain
2. teenage brain couldn't slow down impulses
B. Heightened emotions
1. intense fear
2. negativity bias
C. Decision making
1. hyper-rational thinking
2. underdeveloped empathy
3. influence of trauma, substance use, abuse, and disordered attachments

III. Steps to take

A. Respect
B. Teach social skills
1. direct instruction for thinking and response through scenarios
2. strategic resources for children, adolescents, and adults
C. Reflect
1. embrace and reflect on drama
2. see students' perspectives
3. evaluate students' reasoning
a. listening nonjudgmentally
b. asking lots of questions
c. using 'I wonder' statements

IV. Conclusion
A. Knowledge is power
B. Path to healthy social skills
1. working through the drama
2. practicing a skill
3. supporting and guiding the students