Scholastic Choices articles from January 2007

Scholastic Choices archives from January 2007

Meals with mom & dad.(family)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The next time you eat dinner with Mom and Dad, you may notice them smiling at you a lot. The reason for their happiness may be more than just the fact that you're sharing a meal with them. According to two recent studies, teens who eat dinner...

Be a buddy.(Web site)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... BEST BUDDIES IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT helps people with intellectual disabilities. These people have low IQs (below 70-75) and need help taking care of themselves and socializing. Intellectual disabilities can be caused by any condition that...

Winter wrap-up.(Health)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... DO YOUR PARENTS NAG YOU TO BUNDLE UP WHEN IT'S CHILLY OUTSIDE? Do they openly fret about your catching a cold if you're not dressed warmly enough? It turns out Mom and Dad may be on to something. Research scientists at the Cardiff...

Penny-less?(Consumer)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... According to the U.S. Mint, it costs more (1.23 cents) to manufacture a single penny than the coin is worth (1 cent), so the government is considering abolishing pennies. Without pennies, all prices would be rounded to the nearest 5 cents. For...

Father's day, everyday: being a teen dad means facing adult responsibilities while trying to maintain the life of a teenager. the challenge can be overwhelming.(family)(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... Andrew Smith closes his eyes on the crosstown bus. It's all the sleep he'll get for the day. The 18-year-old from Philadelphia has just finished the overnight shift at Shop Rite. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. he stocks the grocery store's shelves and...

Four-letter foul: if you think it's cool to curse, think again. The real test of maturity is learning how to express yourself without resorting to swearing.(personal responsibility)
January 1, 2007... Raise your hand if you've never used profanity. Congratulations and keep it up, because it's hard not to fall into the trap of swearing. Obscene language is widespread in everyday life: Parents curse in front of their children; actors often...

7 secrets to happiness: looking for happiness during your turbulent teen years? Choices can help you find the answers you need.(health)
January 1, 2007... Like oil and water, sometimes it feels like being happy and being a teenager just don't go together. Stress from schoolwork, friendships, family relationships, hormonal changes with your body, and your own goals can make the teen years...

Fatal choice: Keith Wagner was 15 years old when he died in a car incident. Both he and the driver were high on inhalants.(substance abuse)
January 1, 2007... On Friday night, August 8, 1998, Keith Wagner went out and never came home. The high school sophomore told his mom he was going to a movie with his friends and promised to be home by 11 p.m., his curfew. Instead, they went to the mall to hang...

The diet myth: if you're thinking about going on an unsupervised diet to lose weight, you're asking for trouble.(nutrition)
January 1, 2007... Chances are that either you, a friend of yours, or a peer that you're acquainted with began the New Year by making a resolution to lose weight. And many teens assume that the best way to lose weight is to go on a diet. But that's a bad idea....

Luscious lasagna: teen chef Matt Zimmerman's cheesy and meaty roll-ups will make dinner a treat.(recipe 101)(Recipe)
January 1, 2007... ingredients 1 pound of ground turkey or beef 1 large jar (26 ounces) of spaghetti sauce (try to get a brand that doesn't contain a lot of added sugar or oil) 1 egg, beaten 8 ounces of ricotta cheese (skim is just as...

Chatterbox: what makes your teeth chatter when you're cold? The answer is inside your body.(your body & mind)
January 1, 2007... When your body feels cold, one of the ways it often reacts is that your teeth chatter. This may seem odd since your teeth are inside your mouth and protected from any wind, rain, or snow hitting your body. But it makes sense when you remember...

Cash for care: help others by raising money for charitable causes.(your money)
January 1, 2007... There are plenty of things you can do with money, like buying things you want or putting it aside for your future. There's something else you should consider: Raising money for charity. "Donating money is one of the most effective ways to make...

Dress to impress: which of these teens has the best look for a job interview?(your future)
January 1, 2007... When being interviewed for a job, image isn't everything--but it is important. Your appearance sends a message to the manager/supervisor/owner who is interviewing you. And that message can be either: "I want to present a positive image of your...

Take it back, please! Stuck with an unwanted gift? Our tips will make exchanging it easier for you.(your life)
January 1, 2007... Just as the holiday season is a time for giving gifts, it's also a time for returning them. That's right, we know what you'll do with the snowflake sweater you got from Aunt Mildred: Take it back to the store in hopes of exchanging it for...

Hoop dreams.(sticky situation: ADVICE FROM CHOICES READERS)
January 1, 2007... the problem I'M SMALL FOR MY AGE. I LIKE TO PLAY BASKETBALL, BUT THE OTHER KIDS NEVER PASS ME THE BALL. IT CAN BE SO FRUSTRATING AND SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE QUITTING. WHAT CAN I DO TO BE A BETTER PLAYER OR AT LEAST GET OTHERS TO PASS ME THE...