Know Your World Extra articles from January 2004

Know Your World Extra archives from January 2004

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
January 9, 2004... The following letters were written by Mrs. Smies's class at Zillah Middle School in Zillah, Washington: Dear KYW Extra, I read the debate "Street Sorrow" [in issue 3]. I think that if people want to put up roadside memorials, they...

Far out, man! California boy may be first teen in space.(teen tracks)
January 9, 2004... Lots of kids are sort of "spaced out." Justin Houchin wants to be out in space--for real. At 17 years old, Justin is gearing up for the ride of his life. The California boy hopes to become the first teen to go into space. A group of...

Shark attack.(People)(champion surfer attacked by tiger shark)
January 9, 2004... A Halloween day at the beach turned into a nightmare for Bethany Hamilton. The 13-year-old champion surfer was lying on her board in crystal-clear water off Hawaii. She didn't spot a shark lurking nearby. The 14-foot tiger shark sank its...

Calling all UFOs!(Snapshots)
January 9, 2004... Why don't more space aliens visit Earth? Maybe it's because we don't roll out the welcome mat. A Dutch artist has designed a UFO landing pad in the Netherlands, a country in Europe. Martin Riebeek created his art piece inside a traffic circle....

Purple power!(Animals)(new frog discovered in India)
January 9, 2004... It's chubby. It has a pointed snout. It hops up and down. And it's purple! Does that sound like lovable Barney to you? Guess again. It's a newly found purple frog whose ancestors once hopped around the feet of dinosaurs. Villagers...

Hurling through space.(Thrills)(amusement park ride)
January 9, 2004... A trip to Mars can be pretty hairy, even if you never leave the ground! Imagine a thundering liftoff that spins you around. You are forced back into your seat. You have a close call with another spacecraft. You swing around the moon as if...

Sound off!
January 9, 2004... Which movie had the best space alien or aliens? * Independence Day * Lilo and Stitch * Men in Black * Alien * E.T. * Predator * Star Trek * Star Go to www.weeklyreader.com/teens/ know_your_world and...

At 14, hes's a real pro.(Sports)(teenager receives contract to play professional soccer)
January 9, 2004... Freddy Adu is about to make sports history. In November, the 14-year-old signed a contract to play for Major League Soccer. He will join the D.C. United team, which plays in Washington, D.C. He will be the youngest player on a U.S. pro team in...

On the wild side; lions and tigers and bears: should people keep them as pets?(debate it!)
January 9, 2004... New York City cops have pretty much seen it all. Yet, on October 3, police officers got a BIG surprise. They found a 400-pound tiger living in a Harlem apartment. They also found a 5-foot-long crocodile there. The tiger, named Ming, had...

Martians attack! A report of aliens sparks terror in a New Jersey town.(extra play)(Play)
January 9, 2004... Characters Narrators 1 and 2: people who tell the story Officer Tim Morris: a police officer Helen Sears: a teen Radio announcer Carl Phillips: a radio reporter Mr. Sears: Helen's dad Customers 1 and 2 ...

Earth invades Mars! Two U.S. spacecraft are due to land on Mars this month.(news feature)
January 9, 2004... Attention, Mars! Yes, you, the Red Planet! Earthlings have sent powerful robots to invade you! Two of our best and smartest machines, called rovers, will land on your rocky surface this month, January 2004. The U.S. space agency, NASA,...

Do adds add up? Some companies will say anything to get you to buy their products.(reality check)
January 9, 2004... You flip through the pages of your favorite magazine. You stop to read a story. On the facing page is an ad about a new soft drink. The drink is called Extra Cola. The ad shows two snowboarders. They look pretty cool in their sunglasses....

Brainteaser.(just for fun)
January 9, 2004... Mercury Mars Uranus Venus Jupiter Neptune Earth Saturn Pluto The nine planets are listed above. Read the clues below and answer the question that follows. 1. Cross out the two planets that contain...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
January 30, 2004... Dear KYW Extra, I read the story "Child Soldiers" [in issue 4]. It's really sad seeing a child my age with a gun in his hand. I just want them to know that I wish I could help. --Sherly V. Dear KYW Extra, I think it should be...

Blackgirl: Georgia teen creates a hip new magazine.(teen tracks)
January 30, 2004... A few years ago, Kenya James saw something missing in magazines. There was no focus on African American girls. So, at 12 years old, she came up with the idea for Blackgirl magazine. "I didn't see any magazines that served my needs," says...

Go fish, GloFish.(Snapshot)
January 30, 2004... Move over, guppies! There's a new fish in the tank. And we're not talking Finding Nemo-style clown fish. These new guys glow in the dark! Scientists came up with the fish. They crossed part of a jellyfish with a zebra fish to make the fish...

Miracle on ice.(Movies)(US hockey team defeats Russia in 1980 Olympics)
January 30, 2004... In 1980, the United States men's hockey team was a total underdog at the Winter Olympics. Yet the team pulled off one big upset after another at the games in Lake Placid, New York. The Americans stunned the heavily favored Soviet Union by...

Third time: charm?(Television)('American Idol')
January 30, 2004... The show that gave us Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, and Clay Aiken is getting ready to deliver a new pop star. American Idol is back for a third season on Fox. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson are also back. Once...

Texas-size super bowl.(Sports)(Super Bowl in Texas)
January 30, 2004... How long has been since the Super Bowl was played in Texas? Well, Richard Nixon was president. MTV wasn't around yet. And the Internet was still a long way off. The year was 1974. The Miami Dolphins beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super...

Dinner date.(Sound Off!)
January 30, 2004... Which of these famous people would you most like to join for dinner? * President George W. Bush * Eminem * LeBron James * Hilary Duff * Beyonce Go to www.weeklyreader.com/teens/know_your_world and vote

A fight against abuse.(Music)(rap star Missy Elliott speaks out against domestic violence)
January 30, 2004... Missy Elliott is taking a stand. The hip-hop star wants to end domestic violence among young people. Elliott is the national spokesperson for Break the Cycle. The group works with teens to protect them from abuse by friends and family...

Whose story is it? Do we still need Black History Month?(debate it)
January 30, 2004... It's February, and you know what that means. It's Black History Month. During this month, students listen to the inspiring words of Martin Luther King Jr. They learn the heroic story of runaway slave Harriet Tubman. They celebrate the...

Against the storm: an all-black rescue team comes to the aid of shipwreck victims.(extra play)(Play)
January 30, 2004... Characters Narrators 1 and 2: people who tell the story Commander Yates Captain Richard Etheridge Troy Decker: a 14-year-old boy Fred Solomon: a white crew member Ben Bowser Stanley Wise Theodore Meekins {black crew members} ...

Mixing it up: the music of the Black Eyed Peas crosses races and cultures.(news feature)(Cover Story)
January 30, 2004... You could say that the Black Eyed Peas are the best of all worlds. The hip-hop group offers a diverse style of music that strikes a chord with many people. Put your ears to the band's newest CD, Elephunk. Sure, you will hear rap. You will...

Get your bling on...but don't break the bank!(reality check)(spending habits of teenagers)
January 30, 2004... Moolah. Dough. Cold hard cash. When you have some money burning a hole in your pocket, what do you do? Ka-ching! Do you run to the mall and blow it all on bling-bling? It's no secret that kids know how to spend money. Studies say teens...

Brainteaser.(just for fun)
January 30, 2004... Many drivers like to put messages on their license plates. Read the three license plates below. What is each driver's message? 1. IM 4 REAL 2. ZlPN BY U 3. CU L8TR Extra credit: Make up a clever license plate of your own. ...

Let Know Your World Extra and ABC news bring excitement to teaching the election.
January 30, 2004... 'Tis the season to be shaking hands, kissing babies, appearing on debates, and running large numbers of television ads. Yes, the presidential political season is upon us, and it won't end until the national election takes place in November. ...

Reading lyrics.
January 30, 2004... You might like music, but how much attention do you pay to song lyrics? A well-written song can deliver a strong message. The Black Eyed Peas' hit song "Where Is the Love?" was inspired by the September 11 terrorist attacks. The first verse and...