Scholastic Choices articles from January 2002

Scholastic Choices archives from January 2002

Freaky Dancing? (Personal Responsibility).(differing opinions held by teenagers and adults about dance style)
January 1, 2002... Go to a school dance and you'll see kids gyrating on the floor in a way that might make you blush. We're not talking about the electric slide. "Freaking" is a popular dance craze that you've seen on MTV, but if you do it on your school dance...

Common-IM-cation. (Relationships).(how teenagers use electronic mail systems)
January 1, 2002... Have you ever used Instant Messaging (IM) or your computer to tell a friend that her new haircut makes her look like Shrek? In a recent study by Pew Charitable Trusts, 37 percent of teenagers polled said they have used IM to write something...

GDL = Saving Lives. (Personal Responsibility).(benefits of graduated driver's licenses)
January 1, 2002... You know all about the sats, but have you heard about GDLs? GDLs are graduated driver's licenses. The basic aim of GDLs is to force teens to be better prepared before they get a full license. For instance, once you pass driver's ed and get your...

XAP. (Cool Web Site).(aid teenagers in college and career choices)
January 1, 2002... You've been in school your whole life and it may seem like that'll never change. But before you know it, you'll be out of school -- and then what do you do? We've found a great resource which can help answer that question: www.xap.com. It's a...

10 Ways to have fun without drinking: Turn the page to check out these cool ways to have a good time without resorting to alcohol. (Personal Responsibility).
January 1, 2002... How common is drinking among your peers? More than half of all students in grades 6 through 12 in the United States admit to drinking alcohol at least once in the past year, according to a 2001. Pride Survey. The average age U.S. students...

Mr. Mom & Dad: After parents divorce, more kids are living with their fathers than ever before. Here's a look at what life is like under Dad's roof. (Family).
January 1, 2002... For the first nine years of her life, Lauren Hellman lived with her alcoholic mother. Not a day went by when she didn't worry about her mother's drinking problem. There were other troubles as well. Lauren's parents were divorced and they were...

Laundry List. (Independent Living/Laundry).
January 1, 2002... OK, So doing the laundry. isn't that exciting, but Choices is here to at least make it less confusing. There are five basic parts of doing laundry: sorting, pre-treating, loading, setting the wash cycle, and drying. Turn the page and follow the...

Quick, Easy, & Harmful? (Nutrition).(health and nutrition of offerings from fast food restaurants)
January 1, 2002... James Ross loves fast food. "I like to eat at Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King" says the 18-year-old from Kyle, Texas. "If I'm really hungry, I'll go to Wendy's -- the portions are bigger. But I'd rather go to McDonald's. Their burgers...

Bonding With a Pet care: They say dogs are man's best friends, but is the opposite true? Read these tips to find out how you can be a great pal to your dog, cat, bird, ferret, etc. (Choices/10 Tips).
January 1, 2002... 1. Make Contact. A scratch behind the ears and a tummy rub are a good start. Studies show that hugging, petting, and massaging are big mood boosters for pets and their owners. Added benefits of touch: eases pain, improves circulation, and...

Do You Have Healthful Habits?: Are you as fit as a fiddle or do your body -- and mind -- need a makeover? (Quiz / Health).
January 1, 2002... 1. You arrive home exhausted after your ballroom dancing class. Your joints ache from doing the tango 10 times! You scour the kitchen for a snack and decide to eat a. a Snickers bar and a handful of potato chips, just like you do on most...

The cheating boyfriend: Your best friend's relationship is in trouble. Should you step in to help or stay out of the way? (Play/Decision - Making).
January 1, 2002... Characters Narrator 1 Narrator 2 Veronica Sharon: Veronica's best friend Scott: Sharon's boyfriend Greg: a new student in school Kate: a classmate Scene 1 Narrator 1: School is letting out and Sharon...

Dr. Perry: Self regulation think before you act.
January 1, 2002... Our brain continually senses and responds to your body's needs. When you need sleep food, water -- or even when you are stressed, frustrated, or afraid -- your body "tells" you. The sensations you feel are signals from your body. They help you...

Students Helping Students. (Sticky Situation).(issue between parents and child)
January 1, 2002... The Problem: Dear CHOICES, I'm a 13 1/2-year-old girl end I've fallen in love with a boy. My parents forbid me to see him. I love my parents, bull love this boy, too. What should I do? --Torn Dear Torn, I had a problem...

What To Do If You Think you are pregnant. (Sexuality Supplement).
January 1, 2002... Every year, over one million teenagers discover they are pregnant. That comes out to one in five sexually active young women. Four out of five of those pregnancies are not intended. A pregnancy can result in having unprotected sex or...