Scholastic Choices articles from April 2006

Scholastic Choices archives from April 2006

Driving age: you speak out!(Choices Survey Results)
April 1, 2006... In the September 2005 issue of Choices, we ran an article about whether or not the age when you can get a driver's license should be raised. In the article we asked readers to give us their opinion on the matter. Well, the votes are in and it's...

Cool Stuff.(Cool Stuff They Should Teach in School)(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2006... Check out "Cool" Stuff They Should Teach in School (Cool Stuff Media) by teen brothers Kent and Kyle Healy. The brothers wrote the book because as much as they've benefited from being in school, they wanted to share what they've learned outside...

The sun's no fun.(Health)
April 1, 2006... With the weather turning warmer, many teens can't wait to get outdoors. Beware: Too much exposure to the sun can put you at risk of getting skin cancer. Here's how to protect yourself, according to the American Cancer Society: * Look for...

The language of fat: are you constantly criticizing your body? Discover how those negative words are masking your true feelings, and learn how to express yourself more honestly.(health)(Cover story)
April 1, 2006... SUMMARY: WHEN A TEEN SAYS, "I FEEL FAT" IT MIGHT REALLY MEAN, "I'M DEPRESSED." THIS ARTICLE EXPLAINS HOW SOCIETY ENCOURAGES TEENS TO FOCUS ON BODY IMAGE RATHER THAN ON DEALING HONESTLY THEIR EMOTIONS. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS * What...

The high road: Amanda B. * used to smoke marijuana and then drive a car. In her own words, the teen from Detroit, Michigan, tells how that terrible choice could have killed her--or someone else.(substance abuse)
April 1, 2006... SUMMARY: THIS ARTICLE, A FIRST-PERSON STORY OF A GIRL WHOSE MARIJUANA HABIT NEARLY DESTROYED HER LIFE, PRESENTS THE RISKS OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS, AS WELL AS OTHER DANGERS OF MARIJUANA ABUSE. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS *...

Stepping up: when a serious injury sidelined her father, Holly Seiders took on the roles of house cleaner, cook, gardener, and worker to help her family.(family)
April 1, 2006... SUMMARY: GROWING NUMBERS OF TEENS ARE FACING LIFE WITH A PARENT WHO IS ILL OR DISABLED. THIS ARTICLE OFFERS ADVICE FOR SUCH TEENS AND PROFILES A GIRL WHO HAD TO GET A JOB AND HELP MORE AT HOME AFTER HER FATHER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ...

Word power.(Interview)
April 1, 2006... Writing about what you're feeling can help you cope with problems. Choices spoke with award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys about how writing can help a person resolve troubling issues. Alicia recently wrote a book about poetry and song...

Balancing act.(managing parents)
April 1, 2006... If you're going through a difficult time with a parent, here's how you can balance your life so that you're helping Mom or Dad while also taking care of yourself: 1 Find time for yourself. You might be so busy that you can't seem to find...

Hooked on fish: thanks to the efforts of this teen and her friends, a brook trout habitat is thriving--and young people are learning how to help the environment.(personal responsibility)(McMullen, Karoline "Evin")(Interview)
April 1, 2006... SUMMARY: THIS ARTICLE PROFILES A TEEN ACTIVIST WHO HAS WORKED TO PROTECT A LOCAL BROOK AND THE TROUT THAT INHABIT IT. SHE DISCUSSES WHAT MOTIVATED HER TO GET INVOLVED AND HOW SHE GETS OTHER STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE CAUSE. DISCUSSION...

Sweet news: take this true/false test about chocolate. Then turn the page to see how you did.(nutrition)
April 1, 2006... SUMMARY: THIS ARTICLE, PRESENTED IN QUIZ FORM, DISPELS NUTRITIONAL MYTHS ABOUT CHOCOLATE AND EXPLAINS WHAT IS GOOD--AS WELL AS NOT SO GOOD--ABOUT IT. IT ALSO INCLUDES FUN FACTS ABOUT CHOCOLATE. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS * What would you say...

A day in the life of a teen: decisions at every turn: drugs? No, thanks.(HEADS UP: REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY)
April 1, 2006... HEADS UP: The Way to Go As a teen, you lead a life jam-packed with a thousand things. All day long you may participate in activities and interactions in and out of school, including team sports, going to parties, going to the library,...

Tossed fun: out teen chef's confetti salad is chock-full of color, taste, and nutrition.(recipe 101)(Recipe)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Ingredients 4 cups of shredded lettuce (choose a dark, leafy variety for added nutrition) 1 cup of canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1 large ripe tomato, diced 1 cup of canned corn, drained 1 green or orange bell...

Acne attack: Dr. Marjorie Seidenfeld answers your health questions.(your body & mind)
April 1, 2006... I have really bad acne. I feel like people think that I'm dirty, but I wash my face like four times a day! What can I do for this? --Samantha in Minnesota Acne has nothing really to do with being dirty. Washing your face more than...

Investing money 411: gets started as an investor and watch your money grow.(your money)
April 1, 2006... Have you got some money saved? Are you thinking about putting it into a bank savings account? Not a bad idea, but if you really want your money to grow, you should consider investing it. Investing can help your money grow faster because the...

Music man: this teen's CD covers have hit the right note.(your future)(Robert E. Woods III)
April 1, 2006... When Robert E. Woods III was 15, he took a class during which he was required to create a business plan. For weeks, Robert was stumped. He didn't have any ideas for a realistic business that he could create and operate as a teenager. Finally,...

Flying solo: taking a plane trip alone? Here's how to make it a smooth ride.(your life)
April 1, 2006... Before getting to the airport: 1 Pack everything you need. Seal items like shampoo and lotions in a plastic ziplock bag, in case they spill inside your luggage. 2 Carry the contact information of the people you will be meeting at your...

Problem pair: advice from choices readers.(sticky situation)
April 1, 2006... the problem MY BEST FRIEND'S BOYFRIEND HAS A BAD ANGER PROBLEM. WHEN SHE DOES SOMETHING WRONG, HE GETS REALLY MAD. THOUGH HE NEVER HITS HER. I'M AFRAID HE'S GOING TO. WHAT ADVICE SHOULD I GIVE HER? --FRIEND IN TROUBLE Tell her how...

Drug abuse in social settings: a serious risk for Teens.(TEACHER'S EDITION)
April 1, 2006... Dear Teacher: Teens are social beings. As a teacher who works with adolescents, you definitely won't find that shocking! Probably more than anyone, you understand how important it is for teens to feel like they fit in--that they're part of...