Scholastic Choices articles from March 2002

Scholastic Choices archives from March 2002

Policing plagiarism. (Ethics/Personal Responsibility).
March 1, 2002... Your eight-page paper on Egyptian pyramids is due tomorrow and you haven't started yet. But why get stressed -- especially since a couple of classmates told you about some pyramid Web sites where you can copy information easily. After a little...

Busting myths. (Cool Web Site).
March 1, 2002... Have you heard that the post office wants to add a five-cent surcharge on all e-mail? Have you always been told to wait an hour after eating before you can go swimming? These "factual" stories can leave your head spinning. How do you know...

Opinion teen talk.
March 1, 2002... Choices asked teenagers the following question: If you saw a good friend cheating on a test, would you tell on him or her? Here are three responses: "Yes. I'd let the principal or teacher know. You're not supposed to do that. You're...

Teen mayor takes charge. (Citizenship/Personal Responsibility).(Jeffrey J Dunkel, mayor of Mount Carbon, Pennsylvania)(Interview)
March 1, 2002... The quiz topic the February 2002 issue of Choices was citizenship. We explained that being a good citizen in democracy means getting involved with issues that concern you. Jeffrey J Dunkel knows what we're talking about. He's the mayor of the...

Hit me on the cell! (Communication).
March 1, 2002... With 35 percent of teenagers in the United States now using cell phones, many schools have had to ban them because they cause too many distractions in classrooms. But since last September's terrorist attacks, more than 2 million Americans have...

On the lockdown: Nick Roberts didn't think much about the trouble he caused -- until he got sent to jail for six months. (Decision Making/Personal Responsibility).
March 1, 2002... Nick Roberts (*) My name's Nick and I'm 18 years old. live in a surburb north of Boston, Massachusetts. I'm like a lot of teenagers: I like to listen to music and hang out with friends. But there's a blemish in my life that a lot of kids...

Teen Justice: Youth courts, where kids serve as judge and jury, are popping up around the United States. Here's a look at one court run in a Maryland High School. (Personal Responsibility).
March 1, 2002... Last November, David Dillespie raced down a hallway at Dundalk High School, fearing he'd be late for class. When he reached the room, his teacher ordered him to turn around and walk back to the class. Angered by his teacher's demands, David...

Foul Mouth: Your vocabulary is filled with profanity, here's how to clean up your language. (Etiquette/Personal Responsibility).
March 1, 2002... We hear bad language all the time. Many movies and TV shows are filled with cursing. Adults swear. Your friends probably curse. A bad word or two has likely escaped from your mouth too. Swearing is so common, you probably don't even notice it,...

Resolving Conflicts Peacefully: Furious with a friend? Steamed at a sibling? Mad at mom? Here's how to settle your differences so everyone wins. (10 Tips).
March 1, 2002... 1. Don't Retaliate. So you've been wronged -- big time, in your opinion. Don't make matters worse by seeking revenge. The dispute won't end if you and the other person never stop fighting. 2. Cool Off. So you're steamed at your...

Thinking of others: Find out how well you know other people as you explore the core strength of awareness. (Personal Development).
March 1, 2002... A wareness is the capacity to recognize the needs, interests, strengths, and values of others. This ability to understand and respond to the needs of others is an essential element of human communication. You become aware as you learn about...

Sticky Situation: Advice from choices readers. (Students Helping Students).
March 1, 2002... the problem: Dear CHOICES, I have an older sister and two younger brothers. I don't get any attention from my parents. It seems like they care only about my grades. How can I make them notice me more? Ignored Dear Ignored,...

Thebodilytruth. (Choices Challenge).
March 1, 2002... true/false 1. Eating chocolate is the leading cause of acne in teens. true/false 2. It is a myth that eating French fries causes acne. true/false 3. Hormones have nothing to do with acne. true/false 4. Acne...

Dating violence: Teens in abusive relationships. (Sexuality Supplement).
March 1, 2002... Abuse is a huge problem in teenage relationships. In fact, some experts estimate that as many as one-third of adolescents become involved in an abusive relationship during their high school or college years. Relationship violence cuts...