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The Power of Control

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryInformational2 min read
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The Power of Control: What You Can and Can't Change

Have you ever felt upset about something you couldn't change? Like the weather on your birthday, or a game you lost? It's a tough feeling! But there's a way to handle those feelings better. It's called the "dichotomy of control," and it's a big idea in something called Stoicism.

What is Stoicism?

Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that helps people live happier lives. It teaches you to focus on what you can control and not worry about what you can't. The dichotomy of control is a key part of Stoicism.

The Dichotomy of Control Explained

Dichotomy means "two things that are very different." So, the dichotomy of control is about two different kinds of things:

  1. Things You Can Control: These are your actions, your thoughts, and your feelings. You choose how you act, what you think about, and how you react to things.
  2. Things You Can't Control: These are things like the weather, what other people do, or what happened in the past. No matter how hard you try, you can't always change them.

Why is This Important?

Glossary
Dichotomy:
Two things that are very different from each other.
Stoicism:
An ancient philosophy about living a good life.
Control:
To have power over something.
philosophy:
A set of basic ideas about life, knowledge, and how people should act.
ancient:
From a long time ago in history, especially thousands of years in the past.
patient:
Able to stay calm and wait without getting upset or frustrated.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1What does "dichotomy" mean?
  2. 2What is Stoicism?

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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary

“The Power of Control” is a informational reading passage about Stoicism, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (358 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “The Power of Control” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “The Power of Control”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a informational text about Stoicism, about a 2-minute read (358 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.