Homeschooling Teen

IN THIS ISSUE

 

Homeschooling Teen Profile: Emerson Spartz

 

Homeschool Friendly College: MIT

 

College Bound Reading List: Genesis 1

 

Teen Culture Today: by Juliana

 

Calvin's Political Column: by Calvin

 

The FUN Column: by Alannis

 

Anime Reviews: by Xbolt

 

Career-of-the-Month: Engineer

 

Homeschooling High School: Teens Gain Benefits from Teamwork

 

E-Mail Etiquette: Tip-of-the-Month

 

Parents Column  

 

Plus a whole lot more!!!



 

 

Be Somebody...Be Yourself 

A Note from the Editor:

The Homeschooling Teen staff has been busy with school projects and final exams, as well as graduations and other celebrations. How about you? Have you accomplished any milestones that you would like to tell us about? Write to us at [email protected] .

This month's magazine is a little late as you may have noticed. To make up for it, we've packed twice as much stuff into this issue including articles, quizzes, and contests. We're also combining the May and June issues so we will be able to take a vacation next month. We should be back on schedule by July.

What are you planning to do this summer? Volunteer work? Mission trip? Summer school? Travel abroad? Going to the beach? Family camping trip? Writing a novel? Even if you don't want to leave the comfort of your home, be sure to shake up your routine a bit and make some fun memories. ;)

Please share your summer activities with the rest of us! Write to [email protected] and we will feature you in Homeschooling Teen!

~Teri

P.S. Congratulations to all of the graduates! Homeschool alumni are welcome to continue subscribing and contributing to our magazine. We'd love to hear about your college experiences or whatever else you decide to do next!

 


College Bound 

Preparing For College - ACT & SAT Information

Another school year has ended for some, and now is the time for high school juniors - especially if they dream of attending a highly selective college - to start thinking about taking the SAT and/or ACT. Besides good transcripts and letters of recommendation, entrance exams are an important part of the admission process. While some colleges have waived these tests as a requirement, many colleges and universities still rely heavily on SAT and ACT scores to help in admissions decisions. A typical applicant to a competitive college might boast section scores in the upper 20s for the ACT and above 600 for the SAT.

 
 
Read more by clicking
 Sponsored in part by
Sylvan  
 
Sylvan SAT/ACT� Prep can help you prepare.
Find a participating Sylvan below 
  or visit www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com
to find a center near you.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of national awareness and reverence, to memorialize the bravery, honor, and sacrifice of fallen soldiers - men and women who gave their life in service to their country. Read about the history of the holiday here: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkmemorial.html

"The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it." ~Alan Saporta

 



 Recycling Symbol

REMEMBER TO RECYCLE

SAT WORD OF THE MONTH 

allege (verb) - to declare; to affirm; to assert.

Example: Whether or not all the claims alleged by the prosecutor are true, the defendant's reputation will undeniably suffer as a result of the trial.


MAY IS...

National Bike Month

Physical Fitness & Sports Month

National Scrapbooking Month

 2 King James Bible Published (1611)

10 International Migratory Bird Day

11 Mother's Day

12 Limerick Day

16 Biographers Day

18 International Museum Day

19 Circus Day

20 Weights & Measures Day

23 World Turtle Day

25 Constitutional Convention Anniversary (1787)

26 Memorial Day

Click here for more May holidays:

http://www.knowledgehouse.info/month_05.html

 

JUNE IS...

Homeschool Copyright Month

National Rose Month

National Safety Month

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

  4 Aesop's Birthday (620 BC)

  6 D-Day (1944)

  9 Donald Duck's Birthday (1934)

12 Anne Frank's Birthday (1929)

14 Flag Day

14 World Juggling Day

15 Father's Day

21 First Day of Summer

23 Midsummer Eve

27 Helen Keller's Birthday (1880)

28 Paul Bunyan Day

Click here for more June holidays:

http://www.knowledgehouse.info/month_06.html

 


Exciting News!

 facebook

We have a new Homeschooling Teen FAN PAGE on Facebook!

Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homeschooling-Teen/119237994780935

 

Please join us and let's keep in touch!


Please share your story! If you are involved with an amazing project, volunteer in your community, have a special interest that you're passionate about, possess a unique skill, talent or ability, or have accomplished something positive and extraordinary for a person your age or in your situation - be sure to tell us about it and we will feature you in our magazine! Contact: [email protected]
 

The Fun Column

From Alannis...


Strange but True!

 

A road runs straight through the middle of a BUILDING in Japan!!

 

Elephant Seals can dive DEEPER than most submarines!

 

A Camel can drink 500 CUPS of water in 10 MINUTES!

 

You can buy POTATO flavoured ice-cream in Idaho, America!

 

Frog Bones grow new RINGS just like trees as they age!

 

The Ancient Egyptians Trained MONKEYS to play MUSIC!!

 

There really is sooo much amazing -ness in the world!!

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Some Funny (Okay maybe not that funny) Jokes!

 

You: Knock Knock

Them: Who's there?

You: Who

Them: Who Who

You: Is there an owl in there??

 

Q: What's an astronaut's favourite place on the computer??

A : The space bar!

 

Tongue twister: Say it fast 3 times:

Six slippery snails slid slowly seaward.

 

Do Something Bizarre: Make a strange plant pot out of a welly [boot] or a trainer [athletic shoe] or cut out the top of a football or you could use an old toy; make it bizarre!

 

Alannis is our Fun Columnist. She lives in England and likes to write. She also loves to bake, take photos, and act.



 

MOVIE QUOTE- Can you guess what movie this quote came from?

 

"All right! Let's do this, people! And... animals! And... weird faceless puppet creatures!"

 

(Answer: Night at the Museum)


May is National Bike Month AND Physical Fitness Month!

Going for a bike ride is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise! Read about the history of bicycles at this link:

http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkbike.html


 
                                                                   

Homeschool Teen's Run for Charity

 

Hi it's me, Alannis (the person who writes the fun column).
 
I'm doing a charity run in June and here's my story of what I'm going to be doing...

 

I'm going to be running 8 miles along New Mills's Set Valley Trail! 4 Miles to Hayfield and the 4 back. But I'm not just running there, oh no... I'm going to be running there dressed as a Super Hero! A CANDY SUPER HERO! And I will be giving out sweets to people who I pass on the way, hoping to bribe them into donating if they take the sweets ;). So I'm doing this to help people in Africa to get them clean water supplies and everything from that to crops.
 
I know this is an American magazine and I live in England but I think that anyone can donate, not just UK residents, and it would be sooo helpful.

Here is the site address:  http://www.justgiving.com/Alannis-Barnes

If you can help it would be great!

 

So I really hope you guys can donate; if it gets to �100.00 then I will put the target up to �150 and hopefully it will get higher... because I'm not running until Saturday June the 12th! So please donate; it will make me Happyyy:) and will help the people in Africa!

 

Thanks!
 
Alannis

 

[Editor's Note: Self Help Africa is an international charity that promotes and implements long term rural development projects in Africa. Self Help Africa was established in mid-2008 following a merger between Irish agency Self Help Development International and the UK agency Harvest Help - both of which were set up in the wake of African famines in the mid-1980's. The focus of the organization's work is on empowering and equipping people in rural Africa to move out of poverty by teaching them basic business skills and training farmers in new techniques. In November 2009, Self Help Africa was formally launched in the United States. For more information, visit: http://www.selfhelpafrica.com.]


                            

Teen Culture Today: insight to the world around us...

 

Friends or "Frienemies"

by Juliana Pace

 

Do you have a best friend?  Is he or she almost exactly like you?  Since you have been best friends, have either of you changed because of your friendship?  These questions are not meant to probe into your personal life but to just get you thinking.  Do you think that your friends can change the person that you are?  Being home schooled, some of you reading this may not have as many friends as someone who attends a public school.  Among the friends that you have, do any of them attend public school?  If they do, I'm sure they have at least 50 or more friends that they hang out with at school.  I have some friends who fit such a bill.  They go to public high schools while I choose to sit at my desk and complete my daily tasks to be able to graduate in 4 weeks.  While they are my friends, I notice differences in them every week when we see each other at church.  Now they aren't major differences, mind you, but there is a difference just the same.  My conclusion is that the people they hang with at school are slowly changing them without their knowledge.  I had a personal experience with this once, in 7th grade.  I am one of those home schoolers who went to school just long enough to be glad that I was going to be home schooled and out of the public mess that the world calls middle school.  When I was in public school I had a close group of 4 friends.  Together, the 5 of us were the best of friends and no one could destroy our friendship, or so we thought.  During the course of the year, church friends of mine noticed a difference in my attitude and the way that the confidence I had in myself changed through the year.  What would happen later in the year would be something that at the time would be hard from me to comprehend but that now is a key element to this article.  Later in that year, my friends and I had quite a few arguments in which I found out that my friends were not my friends.  Now when I was in 7th grade that hurt me.  I had lost, what I thought, were my best friends.  Now I can look and see that they were my frienemies.  Now what, you may ask, is a frienemy?  A frienemy is a person whom you thought to be your friend but in reality is only destroying your image to others and they slowly change the way you live your life.  To teenagers today, it sometimes seems that a friend is your main confidant, the person that you tell everything.  I know that I have a friend like that.  How did you choose your friends?  Choosing who you hang out with, and who you tell your life's secrets to is a very important task.  The people that you hang out with could change your life for the better, or for the worse as my story tells.  The image that you portray as a teenager today is vital.  In a culture today that is quickly turning away from the truths of God that this nation was founded on, it is important that we as teenagers show an image that portrays that we are different.  The only way to do this is to keep up an appearance that shows light, just like Matthew 5 tells us.  Choosing your friends wisely can greatly help out your image.  By not choosing to hang around friends who stand for compromise you can help keep your image from being compromised as well.  Don't let your best friend turn out to be a frienemy in the end, like I did.  Choose your friends wisely to begin with - it is worth it!

 

Have comments, questions or stories that you want to tell me?  Do you have a topic that you want me to cover?  If so then send me an e-mail at: [email protected]
 


Calvin's Political Column

 

If the Financial Regulations Bill that passed the House last year passes into law, it will be yet another giant expansion to the powers given to the Federal Government. This bill will give the Federal Government power to take over any financial institution if they deem it "too big to fail" and on the brink of insolvency. This bill would also do away with the Judicial Review associated with the Federal takeover, so the decision as to whether or not the company is "too big to fail" is left entirely to the Feds. There is no legislation in the bill to ensure that the Federal Government gives objective evidence supporting the need for such a takeover either.

 

We cannot allow the Federal Government so much more power that is constitutionally reserved to the state and local governments. With this power the Federal Government could shut down any financial business for any reason. Obama or any other future President could use this power to takeover any financial business that are particularly vocal in their opposition to his policies, or fund political opponents. The checks and balances put on the separate branches of government were put there for a reason, and this bill would tip the scales, giving the Federal Government yet more power that they should not have. Remember, a government that is big enough to give you everything, is likewise big enough to take it all away. For more on the Financial Regulations Bill, visit here.

 

Calvin is fourteen years old, and lives in Granbury, Texas. He is a devoted Christian, and regularly attends church worship services. Some of his activities include following political stories, reading, playing air soft and video games with friends, and doing school work. Calvin owns http://teensforliberty.com, a political site for American teens and young adults interested in politics.


 

E-mail Etiquette Tip of the Month

 

Refrain from forwarding any sort of virus warning that is forwarded to you by others.  These e-mail are often hoaxes that try to get folks to remove important files from their hard drive or worse.

 

Only rely on your virus software provider's Web site for this information.  If you receive one of these e-mail make a point of verifying its authenticity before taking any action that you could regret.

 

As an example, here is Symantec's Latest Virus Threats listing:

 

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html#threat_list

 

This E-mail Etiquette Tip is provided as a courtesy by: http://www.NetManners.com

 

Did you ever wonder where the phrase "Pencil me in" comes from? Dance cards!

A dance card is a small booklet that lists the dances for the evening at a Ball. Attached to the dance card is a pencil the ladies and gentlemen use to list the name of their partner for a specific dance.

Dance cards have been a part of the Viennese culture for more than a hundred years. Large Balls were held before Lent, which included royalty and prominent members of society. The dance card was used to show their visibility and recognition to the King, Queen and their heirs. Imperial families had artists create ornate designs for the dance cards.

By the 1900's, dance cards were fashionable for all types of societies. The dance cards were made more simply. Usually of heavy paper, the dance card was folded in half with the dances listed inside.

Today, dance cards are used by a variety of organizations. Many etiquette programs, or Cotillions, hold formal Balls during their program. There are also groups that recreate period social dances that use dance cards.

Find more information, useful tips, and purchase dance card pencils from: http://www.dancecardpencil.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pencil-Me-In/315978362049

Below is an actual eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, Kansas, USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.



8th Grade Final Exam : Salina, KS, 1895



Grammar (Time, one hour)


1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.


2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.


3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph.


4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,' 'play,' and 'run.'


5. Define case; illustrate each case.


6. What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.


7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.



Arithmetic (Time, 1 hour 15 minutes)


1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.


2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?


3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. for tare?


4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?


5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.


6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.


7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per metre?


8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.


9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?


10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.



U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)


1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.


2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus.


3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.


4. Show the territorial growth of the United States.


5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.


6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.


7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?


8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.



Orthography (Time, one hour)

1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication.


2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?


3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals.


4. Give four substitutes for caret 'U.' (HUH?)


5 Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.


6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.


7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.


8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.


9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.


10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.



Geography (Time, one hour)


1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?


2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas?


3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?


4. Describe the mountains of North America.


5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco.


6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.


7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.


8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?


9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.


10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.


Health (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Where are the saliva, gastric juice, and bile secreted? What is the use of each in digestion?

2. How does nutrition reach the circulation?

3. What is the function of the liver? Of the kidneys?

4. How would you stop the flow of blood from an artery in the case of laceration?

5. Give some general directions that you think would be beneficial to preserve the human body in a state of health.


Don't despair, most students today won't understand all of the above questions, but you can find the answers here: http://www.barefootsworld.net/1895examcomp.html

 


http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook

College Bound Reading List

 Genesis 1: The Story of Creation

 

The Authorized King James Bible, first published in 1611, turned 399 years old this month! The KJV is the most often-quoted Bible translation, widely known for its poetic beauty and structure. While its language may sound archaic today, a familiarity with this version of the Bible prepares modern students for reading Shakespeare. The King James Bible was published in the same year that William Shakespeare was writing "The Tempest." Here is the account of the six days of creation in Genesis 1, from the King James Bible:

 

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

 

The creation story tends to be a controversial subject, even among Christians, who have trouble reconciling the biblical account of creation with the secular account of creation. The six days of creation certainly contradicts the Darwinian model, which claims that death predates man by millions of years. Taken literally, the biblical account of creation also contradicts the majority of university textbooks on the issue of our origins, making it seem like God and science are mutually exclusive.However, science is constantly changing as new evidence is discovered; and that evidence is always open to interpretation. Many scientific theories have come and gone over the years. It's rather hypocritical how college students are told to challenge preconceived notions; yet at the same time, students are overwhelmingly taught that evolution is an undisputed fact - while not allowing for any arguments there. The fact is, science can neither prove nor disprove evolution any more than it can creation. Certainly there are no human eyewitness accounts of either. Depending on our faith and worldview, we are predisposed to believe one way or another. But just as Darwin had a right to publish his theory, scientists who have proposed opposing theories have a right to be heard as well. Below are some recommended books to help counter the evolutionary accounts so adamantly adhered to in college science classes. Read them with an open mind, as a real scientist should.

 

In Six Days: Why Fifty Scientists Choose to Believe in Creation, by John F. Ashton, editor - Can any scientist with a Ph.D. believe in the idea of a literal six-day creation? In this book, fifty scientists from around the world say "Yes!" Taking a factual and scientific look at the evidence for evolution, these physicists, biologists, and chemists come to some revealing conclusions. In their estimation, evolution may offer no more evidence than traditional religion and, factually, it may lag behind. Important questions about the big bang theory, radioactive dating of rocks, light from distant stars, and the fossil evidence for evolution are discussed in detail. In Six Days opens the evolution-versus-creation debate to a wider public-not with narrow and closed arguments, but with a straightforward and wide-ranging analysis of the issues confronting both the scientific community and the general public. These essays examine the entire approach to science education and are essential reading for students and educators.

The Six Days of Genesis: A Scientific Appreciation of Chapters 1-11, by Paul Taylor - This verse-by-verse expository study, by British author Paul Taylor, is a reader-friendly journey through early Genesis. In recent years, conservative Christian thinkers have become alarmed at the erosion of biblical teaching, even in many seminaries across America and Britain. Taylor's book is a fresh, much-needed resource written for the serious student, and useful for youth leaders. This book promotes the view that Genesis is literal history and can be defended from modern attacks from evolutionists. (The author earned a Master's degree in science education at Cardiff University, and served as a head of department at Nottingham University. He joined the staff of Answers in Genesis UK in 2005.)

Thousands not Billions: Challenging the Icon of Evolution, Questioning the Age of the Earth, by Donald DeYoung - Radiometric dating is one of the linchpins of evolutionary education today. By dating the soil in which fossils are found to very long ages, evolutionists undermine faith in Genesis as the true documentary of the history of the universe. When people are told that a dinosaur bone has been determined to be tens of millions of years old, that obviously doesn't square with the biblical record of man being created on Day Six with the land animals. Well, Christians no longer have to puzzle over this glaring contradiction. This book shatters the famed dating methods that evolutionists use to cast doubt on the veracity of the Bible and its chronology of earth history. (Don DeYoung, Ph.D., is chairman of the Physical Science Department at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana.)

In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood, by Walt Brown - In this expanded 8th edition, evidence that revolutionizes our understanding of origins is carefully explained. Part I discusses, in quick overview, 131 categories of evidence from biology, astronomy, earth science, and the physical sciences. Part II describes the hydroplate theory, developed during 35 years of study and research by Walt Brown. This theory explains a catastrophic event in Earth's history and solves a host of recognized problems. Some chapters in Part II deal with: the origin of the Grand Canyon, evidence that shows comets, asteroids, and meteroids came from Earth, the sudden freezing and burial of the frozen mammoths, if there was a global flood, where the water came from and where it went, and how mountain ranges, volcanoes, submarine canyons, ocean trenches, and coal and oil deposits were formed. Thirty-seven other frequently asked questions fill a fascinating Part III of Brown's book.(The author of this book used to be an evolutionist, but after years of study he became convinced of the scientific validity of creation. A West Point graduate, he received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from MIT.) Click here to read this book online: http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook

 

Send your book reviews to: [email protected] 


Do you like to write? Well, why don't you send us something! Become a part of Homeschooling Teen magazine and submit a letter, article, poem, short story, report, or review to:

[email protected]  

  Writing for HST will look great on a college application or resume!

Teens, Texting, and Tragedy

A public service announcement made by the British government in August 2009 concerning the dangers of teens texting while driving became a viral video sensation overnight. The video gained so much publicity largely because of its graphic and disturbing portrayal of a car accident caused by a young driver texting on her cell phone while driving with her two friends. The message of the video, however, should not be overshadowed by the video's controversy - teens and texting are a deadly mix.

Distracted Drivers Are a Leading Cause of Accidents

It had long been assumed that drunk drivers were the biggest danger on U.S. roadways. In fact, distracted drivers actually cause more accidents than drunk drivers. Statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attribute 4 out of 5 accidents (80 percent) to distracted drivers. In contrast, drunk drivers account for roughly 1 out of 3 (33 percent) of all accidents nationally. [If you are paying attention you will note that some accidents are caused by drivers who are both intoxicated and distracted -- a particularly deadly combination.]

A study released last summer by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) found that texting is the most dangerous distraction for drivers. The study showed that people who text while operating a motor vehicle have a 23 times -- that is TWENTY-THREE TIMES -- greater risk of being in an accident. In comparison, NHTSA statistics show that drivers who drive while intoxicated have a four times greater risk of being in a motor vehicle accident. In other words, texting while driving is about 6 times more likely to result in an accident that is driving while intoxicated. We point this out not to condone driving and drinking but to put the danger of texting while driving into the proper perspective.

Other studies have shown that the risk presented by talking on a cell phone while driving is similar to that presented by drunk driving. Text messaging while driving, on the other hand, is actually much more dangerous because drivers must take their eyes off the roadway while typing or reading a message.

Teen Drivers More Prone to Texting, Accidents

Texting and driving is a dangerous behavior for any driver. The dangers are exponentially increased when the driver is young and inexperienced.

Teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than any other age group. Car accidents remain the number one cause of death of people 16 to 20 years old. Unfortunately, teen drivers are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors while driving, such as speeding, tailgating, and not wearing seatbelts.

Teens are also more likely to text and drive than other age groups. In a 2007 study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, 50 percent of the teens surveyed admitted to texting while driving -- even though they acknowledged that it was a dangerous thing to do.

State Texting Bans

In response to the rising number of accidents attributed to texting, many states have taken action to ban the practice in their jurisdictions. Some states have passed a partial ban targeting young drivers while others have passed complete bans for all drivers. Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia have passed some type of texting ban.

Conclusion

The full impact of the dangers of texting while driving has only recently begun to receive the attention it deserves. Accidents caused by drivers who were sending or reading text messages instead of paying attention to the road result in catastrophic injury and loss. The potential for one of these accidents increases when the driver is young and inexperienced.



Did You Know...? AT&T has created an online resource center with downloadable tools and tips for teens, parents, high school educators, and others on this issue. Tools include a parent-teen pledge, posters for high school drivers' education classes, as well as a teacher's guide, safety tips, and fact sheet.

Test your Texting and Driving IQ with this quiz from AT&T: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2964

                        

 

Information Skills in the Digital Age:

Is Information Really Free?

By Peter Olsen

 

"Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

In the United States, the freedom of speech and the press is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. This would likewise imply the right to seek, provide, and receive information. The freedom of information is essential to our democracy. It gives Americans the opportunity to come up with new ideas and creative solutions to problems. Moreover, freedom of information serves the educational process by helping to make available knowledge and concepts required for the development of the mind and enhancement of learning. With availability, however, one must exercise responsibility. Freedom requires self-discipline, a practice that precludes cheating or stealing. By applying critical judgment, an ordinary citizen can decide how to legally obtain and use information from a convenient source. The purpose of copyright law is to maintain a balance between freedom to access information and the right of an author or artist to safeguard his or her intellectual property.

The term "intellectual property" refers to intangible forms of property such as creative works. This covers such diverse areas as books, poems, music, software, photographs, videos, blog entries, and Web pages. Copyright law sets the standards for how, when, and to what extent the owners or creators have the authority to protect and profit from their ideas and works. Intellectual property industries that produce the above listed materials depend on the sales that they make from their ideas. However, if these works are routinely copied, stolen, or distributed freely over the Internet, then it becomes less likely that they will find it profitable enough to stay in business. Unfortunately, many people are ignorant about what the copyright law means or encompasses, especially in regard to new technology. In order for people to responsibly exercise a right, they must first understand how to properly use it. Once adequately informed about copyright law, people will hopefully do the right thing. In this paper I will focus on the importance of educating the public about copyright law, specifically in regard to three main areas: printed, audio/visual, and news media.

Historically, copyright law was established to encourage and protect creative production, not to hinder it. According to the National Research Council, "courts and commentators have repeatedly emphasized the fundamentally utilitarian nature of copyright, noting that the Constitution provides for intellectual property protection with the pragmatic goal of promoting the public interest in access to knowledge and innovation." (National Research Council Staff) As explained by a group of Harvard University researchers, American copyright law has protected architectural, cartographic, choreographic, dramatic, graphic, literary, musical, pantomimic, pictorial, and sculptural creations ever since the founding of the United States. The original law covered these works for fourteen years with the privilege of renewal for another fourteen years. Since 2005, U.S. copyright protection has been automatically granted to every creative work in any form, including digital works, for a period of the life of the author plus 70 years or up to 120 years from the date the work is first created. (Palfrey) After a copyright lapses and is not renewed, the work enters the public domain and becomes free of all copyright restrictions.

Although copyright protects a wide variety of artistic creations, books are the first items that usually come to mind when one thinks of copyright. The vast volumes stored within libraries and freely accessible to the public are evidence of the fact that books have been the main holders of copyright over the years. But since the rapid advance of online publications such as Web sites, blogs, and e-books, the lines are often blurred between printed and digital materials. In fact, some publications are now available in both formats. Technological progress, along with the ease of access and ability to interact with information, has led to much confusion over how the information can be legally used. Andrew Yeaman, Chairman of the Committee on Professional Ethics Association for Educational Communications and Technology, suggests, "When you notice that people are saying some aspect of educational communications and technology 'isn't right' or 'isn't fair' or 'doesn't make complete sense' ... or 'requires a person with authority to take charge' or 'needs a few ground rules to be laid down' ... or anything else along these lines..." it's apparent that a problem exists which needs to be addressed. (Yeaman) A starting point would be for instructors to provide specific guidelines for students in how to use diverse informational resources responsibly as well as effectively.

While the copyright ramifications of new book technology are confusing, the audio/visual field has been a highly visible point of contention for copyright infringement. Movies, TV shows, music, and software are subject to illegal copying and distribution which is often accomplished using "peer-to-peer" programs. But downloading entertainment products does not need to be done illegally. According to a Motion Picture Association of America copyright site, "Downloading and streaming  films and TV shows, renting them on-line, or buying a DVD with a bonus digital copy are all options available to consumers now, and even more progress is being made to give consumers the flexibility the modern marketplace demands. At the same time copyright plays an important role in ensuring a broad array of choices for consumers and in providing the proper incentives for long-term investment in creativity and innovation." ("Digital Hollywood") People need to understand that they cannot take from the Internet "for free" that which they would otherwise need to purchase. They should be aware of "too good to be true" offers for free downloads from unfamiliar sites, which typically indicate pirated products.

The media regularly reports about the importance of copyright on audio/visual content. But Gavin O'Reilly, President of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, contends that "somehow when it comes to the written word from us news publishers, the inherent logic of copyright gets sidelined." He goes on to explain how in-depth news content is expensive to produce, and "those who research, write and shape the news have a not unreasonable expectation of just reward." (Burrell) In a commencement address, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger affirmed, "there is no more important task than creating a global society in which ideas matter, knowledge can be pursued freely, dissent can be heard, and objective news can be gathered and published. Americans can neither take those rights for granted nor be satisfied to enjoy them while they are denied to others." (Bollinger) Copyright law enables news companies to benefit financially while serving the general public's desire for information. Society's interpretation of the words "free-for-all" needs to change from an environment where everything is free for the taking, to one in which the emphasis is on the freedom to gather and share information, but with due respect for the content creator.

Intellectual property industries are central to the stability of the American economy. Personal jobs and family income depend on sales from products derived from innovative ideas. In his speech at Columbia University, Bollinger clarifies the concern by stating, "we must realize that we have a collective need for the free flow of information and ideas essential for dynamic economic markets to function efficiently, for governments to tackle societal challenges effectively, and for scholars to achieve research advances." (Bollinger) The Internet and computers have made it easy to share intellectual property. The challenge is to do so without crossing the copyright line. U.S. copyright law gives creators a generous time period in which they have the exclusive right to benefit from their labors, while also ensuring that all intellectual property eventually becomes widely disseminated. Individual creators have the prerogative to allow for free access to their products by making them openly available. As a result, enough free information sources are available so no one needs to copy or steal intellectual property that legally belongs to someone.

Referring to an essay published by the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition entitled "Knowledge as a Public Good" (Suber), it is clear that copyright law upholds knowledge as a public good, while the expressions of that knowledge in the form of print and digital materials are the private property of the creator or owner. He or she has the option of granting or denying permission for open access. However, with so many choices in a dynamic information-based society, it can be confusing to distinguish between what is private property and what is public domain. Since enforcement of copyright law is difficult and government intervention is ill-advised, the logical solution is through education. Copyright literacy could be a part of the required curriculum in English classes, with the focus on pre-teens and teens who are avid users of multimedia technology. Much of today's copyright abuse is simply due to misunderstanding. Most people would do the right thing if they understood the law. Information can be free... as long as it is obtained responsibly.

Works Cited:

Bollinger, Lee C. "A Free Press for a Global Society." The Chronicle of Higher Education 56.25 (Feb 21, 2010). Academic OneFile.

Burrell, Ian. "Gavin O'Reilly Calls for Google to Respect Copyright." The Independent [London] 4 Dec 2009.

"Digital Hollywood." RespectCopyrights.com. Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., 2008.

National Research Council Staff. Digital Dilemma: Intellectual Property in the Information Age. National Academies Press, 2000: 97. ebrary.

Palfrey, John, Urs Gasser, Miriam Simun, and Rosalie Fay Barnes. "Youth, Creativity, and Copyright in the Digital Age." International Journal of Learning and Media. Spring 2009: 79. MIT Press Journals.

Suber, Peter. "Knowledge as a Public Good." SPARC Open Access Newsletter, issue #139. November 2, 2009.

Yeaman, Andrew R. J. "On the Responsible Use of Communication Media for Learning." TechTrends, Nov/Dec 2009: 20. EBSCOHost Professional Development Collection.

 

Peter is a 20-year-old homeschool graduate attending Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona.

 

CARTOONIST WANTED!

Are you a cartoonist and would you like to see your work published in this magazine? Please write and tell us about the type of cartoon you create, (single pane, strip, etc.) the topics you cover (current events, humor, homeschool life, etc.) and send us a sample along with your name and age. Contact: [email protected] 

June is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. How much do you really know about playing it safe in the sun? Take this quiz and find out!

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. About 50% of an individual's sun exposure occurs by age 18.

2. Children spend triple the amount of time in the sun that adults do.

3. UV radiation increases 5% for every 1,000-foot gain in elevation.

4. Snow reflects 80% of the sun's rays, while beach sand reflects 15%.

5. The sun's rays can reach through three feet of water.

6. Sunlight coming through a window or windshield can damage your skin.

7. Small daily doses of UVA rays can cause long-term injury to your skin, even without any sunburn.

8. Dermatologists agree that there is no such thing as a "healthy tan."

9. Children and adolescents who experience a single blistering sunburn are twice as likely to develop skin cancer later in life.

10. A sun-sensitive person can get a minor sunburn in approximately five minutes on a sunny midday in June.

(Even if you are being more careful than ever about your exposure to the sun, you may be surprised at the answers to some of the above questions. All of them are true!)

Did You Know...? Our culture's tanning infatuation is a modern phenomenon. Being pale used to be a sign of wealth, because only peasants who labored outdoors were bronzed by the sun.

For more information about playing it safe in the sun, see: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfksun.html


                                                                       

May/June 2010

Welcome... Homeschooling Teen is a free e-zine for homeschooled high schoolers and young adult alumni. Published once a month, each issue is full of fellowship and fun, human interest and humor. Much of the content is written by other subscribers, and there are many opportunities for readers to participate - whether it's writing book or movie reviews, sending in original short stories and poems, or submitting favorite websites for the links section. Additionally, in each issue we feature a profile of a different Homeschooling Teen subscriber and/or a famous homeschooled teen. Write to us at [email protected] 


Homeschooling Teen Profile:

Emerson Spartz

Emerson Spartz

"I founded MuggleNet 10 years ago. I was 12. I was bored. And homeschooled. I figured I could always go back to school if I don't like it, but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I had way too much free time on my hands, so I started [the website] a few months after I began home schooling. I never expected it to get so big. Now I'm 22. I graduated from Notre Dame. I have two brothers, Dylan (20) and Drew (10). They are awesome. I play lots of sports. I am a HUGE nerd. I read between 100-200 non-fiction books a year. I'm a pathological optimist." ~Emerson Spartz

Emerson Spartz, born in LaPorte, Indiana onFebruary 17, 1987, is the founder of MuggleNet.com, a Harry Potter fansite. Spartz started the MuggleNet website in 1999 as a homeschooled 12-year-old. By 2005, the MuggleNet network was generating a six-figure income through advertising revenue. In 2007, Spartz incorporated Spartz Inc. to serve as the legal entity representing his MuggleNet e-business. As CEO, Spartz writes less of what's on the site, and instead delegates much of the day-to-day operation of MuggleNet to his staff of 120 people, including six paid employees, who contribute from around the world.

MuggleNet.com contains news, editorials and synopses of the Harry Potter books and films, an encyclopedia of the books, a chat room and discussion forum. There is also a fan fiction section, a weekly caption contest, and other occasional contests and polls. Spartz benefits from friendly relations with J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books. She praised MuggleNet on her website and awarded it her "Fan Site Award." Warner Bros., producers of the Harry Potter films, have regularly sent movie stills and theatrical trailers to Spartz in advance of the movies' release. In the summer of 2005, MuggleNet launched a line of clothing, toys, and other merchandise.

 

MuggleNet has grown to be the largest Harry Potter-related fan website with 20 million page views every month. Spartz says of his site, "I wanted it to be the best and I worked hard at it. When I do something, I like to do it well." He says when the site first started thriving, "I think it worked because I began to act more like an administrator," and "It just exploded after that." His younger brothers and even his parents started helping with the site while he was in college. The straight-A student enrolled as a freshman business major at the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 2005. In May 2009, Spartz graduated with a degree in management concentration from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.

In the summer of 2009, Spartz went on a cross-country book tour to promote "MuggleNet.com's Harry Potter Should Have Died: Controversial Views From The #1 Fan Site," which he co-authored with Ben Schoen. As of February 2010, Mugglenet FanFiction authors were writing an anthology of short original fictions to be published to benefit the Room to Read charity. Mugglenet Fanfiction - a subsite of Mugglenet - also released a self-help guide to creative writing entitled "Sharpen Your Quill." The book offers advice on writing plot, characterization, poetry, specific genres and other useful information including grammar and fluent style.

Spartz and his fianc�e Gaby Montero launched the website GivesMeHope.com on May 31, 2009, because "we're completely exhausted by the negativity of the mainstream media. We're tired of hearing about what's wrong in this world." GivesMeHope.com is like a Twitter-style version of Chicken Soup for the Soul. It's where people share with the world their most hopeful, uplifting moments and allow others to draw strength from their experiences. The website receives approximately one million unique visitors per month. Emerson and Gaby also launched a spin-off site, LoveGivesMeHope.com, for those "who can't get enough of the love stories" on GivesMeHope.com. The website's slogan is "Stories That Make You Go 'Aww!'"

On June 23, 2009, the two launched another site, Givoogle.com, a website that raised money for the American Cancer Society with every search. The website had more than one million monthly visitors and raised a total of $6,569.89 before it was shut down on February 11, 2010. Apparently Google's lawyers forced the site closure because it violated Google's terms of service. Givoogle.com was replaced with SavesWatts.com, a search engine powered by Google, but which supposedly uses less energy than Google due to its black background. SavesWatts is based on the fact that different colors consume different amounts of energy on computer monitors. The color black requires the least amount of energy, and although the energy savings per search are small, Spartz estimates that "if just 0.01% of people currently using Google switch to SavesWatts, we can save enough energy to power entire neighborhoods!"

Whether or not you like the Harry Potter series, you have to admire this homeschool teen's entrepreneurial success!

 

Have you started your own website? Tell us about it at [email protected]



 Anime Reviews by Xbolt

Cowboy Bebop

WOOHOOO!! Cowbooooys...Innn....SPAAACE!!!

First aired in 1998, Cowboy Bebop is another oldie with high ratings. But this time, I feel the praise is more justly deserved than that of Neon Genesis Evangelion, which I reviewed in the March issue.

Set in the year 2071, Cowboy Bebop tells the story of some bounty hunters, (cowboys,) who travel around the Solar System in their ship, the Bebop. There isn't a lot of the Real World Physics that was displayed in Planetes, but I do have to hand it to the creators, though. The visual effects for entering and leaving the hyperspace gateways, are what can only be referred to as Darn Cool.

Spike Spiegel is a Martian. (No, not a little green man with six eyes and tentacles, he's a human that was born on Mars.) He is skilled at martial arts, which many people learn the hard way. He is also handy with a gun, and a good pilot. Spike usually has a laid-back attitude, often sarcastic, and has fluffy hair.

Jet Black is the actual owner of the Bebop. A big guy, he's the group's jack-of-all-trades. He can do everything from repairing the ship, to making dinner. Jet is also skilled at hand-to-hand combat, but unlike Spike, who uses more technique, Jet uses raw muscle to get the job done.

Faye Valentine is brash, and very lazy. At times, she relies on the guys to do all the actual work of bounty hunting, while she reaps the benefits. However, she will sometimes go out on her own. And in a fight, she can handle herself fairly well.

Edward is a 13-year-old, hyperactive girl. She is extremely good at hacking computer systems, and is known as "Radical Edward". She is also very flexible and strong, being able to walk around on her hands while scratching her nose with her foot. She rarely walks anywhere, preferring more fun movements like rolling or flipping. For all these reasons, I like Ed.

Ein is a dog. A very smart dog. He is also very fond of Ed.

One part that I particularly liked a lot, was when the guys got ahold of an old Betamax tape from the early 2000's. Nobody knew what it was, since in 2071, they all use discs for storage. (Just like we do now.) It made my skin crawl when Spike started pulling the tape out of the cassette. "NO! YOU'LL RUIN IT!" It was a realistic reaction for someone from the late 21st century, though. And so, I laughed at the whole thing.

At first glance at that scene, the fact that the creators used Beta instead of VHS doesn't make a lot of sense. After all, VHS won the format war in the late 80's, didn't it? Since Cowboy Bebop was made in 1998, surely the creators should have known that? If this was an American production, that would be true. But this wasn't an American production. In Japan, Beta continued to be popular, with tapes still being produced as late as 2002. So it actually makes perfect sense for them to have used a Beta tape. (There's a little history lesson for you.)

Another notable thing about the series, is the English dub. Normally, I abhor dubs. Rarely do they sound as good as the original Japanese. Cowboy Bebop is the rare exception where the dub is on-par with the originals. Many people even say that it's better than the original. Now I don't know about that, but it's certainly not worse.

Visit Xbolt's blog: http://blog.xboltz.net
                                                                 

13th Annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest: "Freedom and Civic Virtues"
 

Each year, National Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) and the National Rifle Association co-sponsor an academic scholarship for seven high school juniors and seniors.  Winners receive a $3,000 award and are given the opportunity to attend NFWL's Annual Conference.  At the conference, the scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to learn about public policy, receive leadership training, and network with lawmakers from all 50 states.  Several winners said their experience through the program strengthened their passion for public service.  It is important to note that in order to enter the contest all applicants must be sponsored by a woman legislator from their respective state. Sponsoring legislators of the awardees will receive an NFWL travel scholarship to attend the Annual Conference in exchange for their participation in the entire conference with their student.

 

This year's essay topic is entitled "Freedom and Civic Virtues" in which applicants are asked to describe how moral principles and the U.S. Bill of Rights shape the role of young adults in civic engagement and politics. 

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Friday, July 30th, 2010 by which time essays must be received or postmarked to NFWL. 

 

CONTACT:  The NFWL office at 202-293-3040, ext. 1005, [email protected]

 

WEBSITE: www.womenlegislators.org 



  College Bound:
       Homeschool Friendly Colleges
   

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university devoted to the advancement of knowledge and education of students in areas that contribute to or prosper in an environment of science and technology. World-renowned for its research in the physical sciences and engineering, MIT's endowment and annual research expenditures are among the largest of any American university.

 

Founded by William Barton Rogers in 1861 in response to the increasing industrialization of the United States, MIT adopted the European university model and emphasized laboratory instruction from an early date. MIT's School of Architecture, founded in 1865, was the first university architecture program in the world and a leader in progressive building design. MIT has in the past 40 years greatly expanded its programs in other fields including biology and cognitive science. MIT has a total of five schools (Science, Engineering, Architecture and Planning, Management, and Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) and one college (Whitaker College of Health Sciences and Technology).

 

MIT students refer to both their majors and classes using numbers, so the course which many colleges would designate as "Physics 101," at MIT is simply "8.01." MIT's major fields of study are numbered in the approximate order of when the department was founded. For example, Civil and Environmental Engineering is Course I, while Nuclear Science & Engineering is Course XXII. Students majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the most popular department, collectively identify themselves as "Course VI."

 

Undergraduates at MIT are required to complete an extensive core curriculum called the General Institute Requirements (GIR). This includes two semesters of physics, two semesters of math, one semester of chemistry, and one semester of biology. Some of the pressure for first-year undergraduates is lessened by the "pass/no-record" grading system. In the first (fall) term, freshmen transcripts only report if a class was passed, while no external record exists if a class was not passed. In the second (spring) term, passing grades appear on the transcript while non-passing grades do not.

 

Between the Fall and Spring semesters, the Independent Activities Period (IAP) is a four-week long "term" offering hundreds of optional classes, lectures, demonstrations, and other activities throughout the month of January. Students also have the opportunity of pursuing "externships" at companies, many of which were started by MIT alumni. In fact, MIT alumni have founded or co-founded over 85 companies including Intel, McDonnell-Douglas, Texas Instruments, 3Com, Qualcomm, Bose, Raytheon, Koch Industries, Rockwell International, Genentech, and Campbell Soup.

 

MIT employs about 1,000 faculty members (198 of whom are women), enrolls over 4,000 undergraduates, and has more than 6,000 graduate students. During World War II and the Cold War, MIT students and staff were actively involved in efforts to develop computers, radar, and guidance systems in connection with defense research. MIT's on-campus nuclear reactor is one of the largest university-based nuclear reactors in the U.S. It is also one of the most visible, since the reactor's containment building is situated in the middle of a densely populated area. Other notable campus facilities include a pressurized wind tunnel, and a towing tank for testing ship and ocean structure designs.

 

MIT students and faculty members developed the predecessors to modern computing and networking technologies, wrote some of the earliest computer games like Spacewar and Zork, and created much of modern hacker slang. The GNU project and free software movement originated in the mid-1980's with Richard Stallman at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab. The World Wide Web Consortium was founded by Tim Berners-Lee at MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science in 1994. MIT's OpenCourseWare project has made course materials for over 1,800 MIT classes available online free of charge since 2002.

 

The MIT Media Lab, founded in 1985 and known for its unconventional research, has been home to constructivist educator and Logo creator Seymour Papert, as well as Lego Mindstorms and Scratch creator Mitchel Resnick. The MIT Toy Lab was founded in 2004 with research funding provided by Hasbro Inc. The initial project of the Toy Lab involved developing new concepts for Nerf™ and Supersoaker� brand products. The Nerf Atom Blaster, a variant of a toy developed in this lab, is now currently on the market.

 

The MIT student athletics program offers 33 varsity-level sports, one of the largest programs in the U.S. In addition, MIT has over 380 recognized student activity groups including a campus radio station, "The Tech" student newspaper, a model railroad club, an annual entrepreneurship competition, and weekly screenings of popular films. MIT even boasts the "world's largest open-shelf collection of science fiction." MIT students traditionally have also engaged in elaborate student pranks and technological tomfoolery, such as reconstructing a Wright Flyer atop the Great Dome of the Engineering Library.

 

MIT's 168-acre campus extends over one mile along the north side of the Charles River. Many of its buildings are connected above ground via an "Infinite Corridor" linking the east and west ends of campus, as well as through an underground tunnel system. An extensive labyrinth of side tunnels, utility ducts, and stairwells into sublevels - though technically off-limits - also invite investigation by adventurous students. It's a tradition that those who secretly gain access to these hidden places mark their accomplishment by "signing in" with their logo and the date, for future explorers to find.

 

Undergraduates are guaranteed four years of dormitory housing on the MIT campus, with live-in graduate student tutors and faculty housemasters. Students are permitted to select their dorm and floor upon arrival. MIT also has five dormitories for single graduate students, and two apartment buildings on campus for families. The Cambridge neighborhoods surrounding MIT are a mixture of residential housing and high tech companies occupying both modern office and rehabilitated industrial buildings.

 

MIT's proximity to Harvard University has led to a substantial number of research collaborations. Students at the two schools can cross-register without any additional fees, for credits toward their own school's degrees. MIT also offers cross-registration programs with Wellesley College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Tufts University, Massachusetts College of Art, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

 

The MIT admissions rate for freshmen applicants is about 12%; approximately 65% of admitted applicants choose to enroll. Over 95% of the freshman class end the year in good standing and return the next year; 82% graduate within four years, and 94% graduate within six years. Female students account for 45% of undergraduates. MIT is expensive, averaging $50,000 per year for tuition, books, room and board. The majority of undergraduates receive need-based financial aid packages in the form of MIT scholarships amounting to $34,000.

MIT has a long history of admitting homeschooled students, and a liberal homeschool admissions program, so it has earned a reputation for being a very homeschool-friendly college. [Homeschooled students who attended MIT include Reid Barton and Eric Demaine, featured in previous issues of Homeschooling Teen Magazine.] A diploma or GED is not required, although they do require all applicants to submit ACT or SAT results, as well as two SAT Subject Tests (Math and Science).

Matt McGann, Associate Director of Admissions, says "Over the past 5-10 years, we have seen a surge in homeschooled applicants. Homeschooled applicants still make up less than 1% of our applicant pool (and less than 1% of our student body), but these numbers are growing.... At MIT, we do not have separate requirements for homeschooled applicants. Homeschooled applicants, like all of our applicants, are considered within their context, which includes schooling choice, family situation, geographic location, resources, opportunities, and challenges. However, we do have some tips for homeschooled students, based on successful applicants we have admitted in the past."

MIT looks for students who are self-motivated, enjoy learning, and show entrepreneurial spirit. They also like to see students who are active in their communities, involved in extracurricular activities, and taking advanced classes through a local college or online school. More helpful tips for homeschooled applicants can be seen at: http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/homeschooled_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml

Many of MIT's alumni and alumnae have had considerable success in scientific research, public service, education, and business. 27 have won the Nobel Prize, 47 have received the National Medal of Science, 44 have been selected as Rhodes Scholars, and 55 have been selected as Marshall Scholars. Among current faculty and teaching staff, there are 80 Guggenheim Fellows, 6 Fulbright Scholars, and 29 MacArthur Fellows. Many MIT graduates went on to become presidents of other universities.

 

Famous MIT alumni include: Hugh Lofting (author of Dr. Doolittle), Louis Sullivan (architect), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 astronaut), Ray Tomlinson (e-mail innovator who pioneered the use of the @ symbol), James McDonnell (co-founder of McDonnell Douglas), Donald Douglas (co-founder of McDonnell Douglas), John Dorrance (founder of the Campbell Soup Company), William Boeing Jr. (founder of The Boeing Company), Ken Olsen (founder of Digital Equipment Corporation), Cecil H. Green (co-founder of Texas Instruments), William R. Hewlett (co-founder of Hewlett-Packard), Tom and Ray Magliozzi (the Car Talk guys).

 

Tell us about your favorite homeschool-friendly college, and we will feature it in an upcoming issue! [email protected]  


Homeschooling High School: Helpful Tips

 

Teens Gain Benefits From Teamwork

 

By Tammy Potosky

Some people think of teens working in teams and just cringe. When I think of teens working together, I think of all the possibilities that can come from the opportunity of working together. I think about the:

teamwork that can happen

creativity they bring with them

leadership skills that can be nurtured

interpersonal communication skills that can be developed

conflict resolution experience

critical thinking skills that are developed

collaboration they learn

strengths, skills and support that are shared

There are so many other opportunities that await these young people when working in teams that will benefit them for their entire life. Learning to work in teams is a valuable skill and asset any person can benefit from.

As new teams are being formed, it's important that there is a level-headed adult coach to monitor the team. An important part of the coaches job is to ensure that the team is following the guidelines of the program/assignment, supervising them for safety purposes, guiding the team if they seem to get stuck or sidetracked to get their thinking back in the groove, keeping them focused on the project at hand (which can get difficult with a team of teenagers at times!) and most of all, it is the coach's responsibility to ensure that the environment is positive so that they can work well as a team - whether conducting team building exercises, team building experiences (fun stuff - it really is necessary), having heart to heart discussions, coaching individuals on ways they can work better with others or just having an open, constructive group discussion.

My teams have been great and I'm so proud of their efforts but I am most proud of the experience that they offer each other and to me. This is what I've observed:

Creativity - through brainstorming teens are the most creative group of people coming up with a variety of ideas and sharing them (no matter how bizarre they may seem - hey, some are quite good and are viable options!). Their creativity leads to some very creative solutions!

Leadership - throughout the process they experience leadership in a variety of ways. I believe that a real leader is someone that not only "leads" the team but motivates, encourages, inspires and works side-by-side with the team.

Communication - is number one in teamwork! Without effective communication there is chaos and animosity and the team will work against itself. Learning to communicate as a team is critical to the success of the team.

Conflict Resolution - in any team, conflict is bound to surface and when you get a group of teens together and each wants to express their ideas, well you know what happens. Whether the conflict is regarding an idea or solution or a personality conflict among the members of the team it has to be resolved in order for the team to work well together and to be effective.

Critical Thinking - the ability to evaluate complex issues and to arrive at a feasible solution; then to put plans in place that the team agrees upon - all I can say is "Wow!"

Collaboration - the way the team comes together to work and achieve the goals. Sharing what they know with each other; being comfortable enough with each other to state that they don't know something (which is even hard for adults!); sharing their limitations and helping each other to learn new things.

Strengths - each team member has their own strengths that they share with the team; they are not shy about sharing their abilities and offering the team the necessary support of each other.

Support - the camaraderie teens can show can be so heartwarming. Seeing them come together when times get tough, encouraging each other, letting each other know that it's okay if someone makes a mistake, easing a team members nerves before a performance/presentation.

This is not to say that coaching a team is a piece of cake. There are definite challenges and stressful situations but hopefully the team can overcome the challenges and learn through the experience, making their next team experience a positive and productive one. The benefits a teen gains now will stay with them their entire life - help make it a positive experience.

Tammy Potosky is a life coach and learning professional. She works with teens and young adults empowering them to live their best life. Her mission is to: help teens feel more comfortable with themselves and to get along better with friends and others; young adults to have the life skills needed to achieve their goals in life; and parents to help maintain balance and enjoy life with all it has to offer. Tammy helps her clients achieve these results through one-on-one coaching, group coaching and workshops. For more information please visit http://www.tlplearningsolutions.com

Bicycles Help Missionaries Go Farther and Faster

Bicycles Help Missionaries Go Farther and Faster



Many of us enjoy leisurely riding our bicycles on a Saturday afternoon to get a little fresh air and exercise. However, few of us would consider using a bicycle as our only mode of transportation. But for most missionaries, owning a bicycle is a dream come true!

It is the deepest passion of these missionaries to share the Good News. And often, in order to follow their calling, missionaries must walk several hours a day to get to those who need to hear. But when they hop on their new bikes for the first time, their ministries are changed forever.

Traveling from village to village is no longer a tremendous burden. Daily journeys that used to take hours are now just a short ride away. And the missionaries are able to reach more villages, which means that more people than ever before are hearing the Gospel!

Because bicycles are incredibly effective ministry tools, many missionaries pray that the Lord will provide one just for them. They know they must get to those who are lost in darkness before it's too late-and they can reach them with a bicycle.

Want to provide the answer to their prayers? Help missionaries go farther and faster to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by collecting donations for new missionary bicycles!

Gospel for Asia's "Push the Pedal" program is an ideal project for churches and youth groups. Through this project, even children can now reach thousands of lives with the love of Jesus and gain a true vision for missions.

For complete details, see: http://www.gfa.org/pedal/
 

Career-of-the-Month: Engineer

 

Engineers employ mathematical and scientific principles to develop effective solutions to real-world, technical problems. Engineers need to be creative, curious, analytical, and detail-oriented. Communication skills are important because engineers often work with people in a wide range of fields. They should be able to work as part of a team. A bachelor's degree in engineering is needed for most entry-level engineering jobs. Getting into engineering school requires a strong report card in math and science, as well as courses in English, social studies, and computers. Some schools prepare an engineer to get a job upon graduation while others prepare an engineer for graduate school. In a typical college, the first two years are for studying math, science, engineering basics, the arts, and social sciences. In the last two years, the majority of courses are in engineering, mostly in a single branch. Engineering specialties include the following:

 

Aerospace Engineers - Would you like to be able to say, "Why yes, as a matter of fact, I AM a rocket scientist!" That's what an aerospace engineer is. Many astronauts are also aerospace engineers. These engineers are responsible for designing, developing and testing aircraft, spacecraft, rockets and missile systems as well as supervising the manufacturing of these products. Aeronautical Engineers are those aerospace engineers who deal specifically with airplanes and helicopters, while Astronautic Engineers are engineers who deal specifically with rockets and spacecraft. Technologies developed by aerospace engineers are used in aviation, defense, and space exploration. Aerospace engineers may specialize in structural designing, guiding, navigating and controlling, instrumentation and communication, or production methodology. Aerospace engineers might also specialize in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanic systems, propulsion systems, acoustics, or guidance and control systems. Technology such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, robotics, lasers and electronic optics are often used by them.

 

Agricultural Engineers - These engineers apply the knowledge of engineering and biological science to agriculture. They are responsible for designing agricultural tools, equipment, machinery, and processing plants. They may also be involved with environmental concerns such as soil and water conservation.

 

Biomedical Engineers - These engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems. Many do research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, to develop and evaluate systems and products for use in the fields of biology and health, such as artificial organs, prostheses (artificial devices that replace missing body parts), instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems. Biomedical engineers design devices used in various medical procedures, such as the computers used to analyze blood or the laser systems used in corrective eye surgery. They develop artificial organs, imaging systems such as magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and x-ray, and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions. Most engineers in this specialty require a sound background in one of the basic engineering specialties, such as mechanical or electronics engineering, in addition to specialized biomedical training.

 

Chemical Engineers - These engineers apply both the knowledge of chemistry and the principles of engineering to the chemical industry and thus form the bridge or the link between science and manufacturing. They are involved in a wide variety of activities like equipment design, process developing for chemical manufacture on a large scale, planning and testing ways of producing and the treatment of byproducts as well as supervision of manufacturing activities.

 

Electrical and Electronics Engineers - They are responsible for designing, developing, testing as well supervising the production of electrical and electronic equipment and machinery. Broadcast and telecommunication systems, global positioning systems, electric motors, controls of machinery, lights and wiring in building complexes, vehicles, aircraft, radar and navigation systems, power generators and transmission devices used by electric utilities are all examples of equipment built by these engineers.

 

Environmental Engineers - These engineers combine the knowledge of biology and chemistry to devise solutions to environmental problems. Concerns such as air and water pollution, recycling wastes, waste disposal and other public health issues fall under their field.

 

Industrial, Health, and Safety Engineers - These engineers devise the best possible method of using the basic factors of production - namely people, materials, machines, information, and energy. Industrial engineers use computers for simulations and to control various activities and devices, such as assembly lines and robots.

 

Materials Engineers - They deal with extracting, developing, processing and testing of various materials and minerals which are used in order to produce a huge variety of consumer goods like computer chips, television sets, golf clubs and snow skis. New materials are created out of metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors, and combinations of materials called composites by these engineers, which are needed for mechanical, chemical and electrical industries. New materials are also chosen by these engineers for new applications and products.

 

Mechanical Engineers - They are engaged in researching, developing, designing, manufacturing, and testing mechanical devices like tools, engines, machines, etc. They work on developing both power producing as well as power using machines. Examples of power-producing machines are electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. Examples of power-using machines are refrigerators and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in the production process. Mechanical engineers are also involved in designing tools and equipment that other engineers require for their work. These days, the field of nanotechnology (which involves the creation of high-performance materials and components by integrating atoms and molecules) is has introduced completely new principles to the design process. Mechanical engineers are assisted by computers and by performing accurate and efficient computations and by completing the modeling and simulation of new designs as well as facilitating changes to existing designs. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) are used for design data processing and for converting mere designs into goods and products.

 

Mining and Geological Engineers - They are involved in designing open pits and underground mines, often using computers; supervising the building and construction of mine shafts and tunnels in underground processes; and devising techniques for the transportation of minerals to their processing plant sites.

 

Nuclear Engineers - These engineers run existing nuclear plants, industries and research. Also, nuclear engineers continue R&D activities for developing future nuclear power sources. Nuclear technology, especially in defense related areas, will also attract nuclear engineers.

 

Petroleum Engineers - These engineers design tools and operation procedures for the recovery of oil and gas. Computers are used extensively by petroleum engineers in order to model simulations and designs of drills and other equipment.

 

Plastics Engineers - Many things are made of plastic, from Tupperware and telephones, to dashboards and keyboards, baby dolls and baby bottles, and of course toys. Making all of these products possible are the plastic professionals who test materials, design molds and products, run and repair the assembly line. Plastics Engineers are the scientists behind all of these activities, so they need to be good with machines and strong in math and science.

 

Robotics Engineers - The field of robotics engineering is a sub field of mechanical engineering. Robotics engineers design robots, maintain them, develop new applications for them, and conduct research to expand the potential of robotics. This is a rapidly developing field, with advances in computing constantly opening up new possibilities for robotics applications. Manufacturing, the first industry to invest heavily in robotics, remains the primary employer in the area, but recent years have seen rapid expansion of research and engineering in robots for use in a wide range of industries such as agriculture, mining, nuclear power-plant maintenance, and a variety of other fields. From production line robots to experimental robotics for the medical, military, and automotive industries, the future of robotics engineering will certainly offer a range of opportunities for professionals entering the field.

 


Under the Same Sun Essay Contest for grades 9-12

Alessandra Early, a tenth grade student in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, has created an international essay contest for students in grades 9-12 to help spread awareness about the mistreatment and stereotypes that albinos (specifically from Tanzania) are experiencing. She is working with Under the Same Sun, a Canadian registered charity founded in 2008 by Peter Ash (who is himself an albino). Ms. Early invites all homeschooled high school students to consider participating in this international contest.

Entries must be postmarked by June 30, 2010.

Albinism is a rare genetic condition occurring regardless of ethnicity and gender that results in a lack of pigmentation in the skin, eyes and hair. In North America and Europe it is estimated that 1 in 20,000 people have some form of albinism. In Tanzania, however, it is 5 times as common with 1 in 4,000 people being affected. It is estimated that there are 17,000 albino people in Tanzania, a country best known for the vast herds of game on the Serengeti and the unsurpassed beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro. Persons with albinism in Tanzania face several major challenges:

1. The horror of a rapidly growing industry in the sale of albino body parts:There is an unimaginable and erroneous belief (in some areas of Tanzania) that the body parts of people with albinism possess magical powers capable of bringing riches.

2. Lack of low vision aids:Lack of glasses, magnifiers and specialized computer equipment results in extreme difficulty in completing education and in chronic unemployment.

3. Epidemic rates of fatal skin cancer:Lack of protective sunscreens, wide brimmed hats and proper clothing result in epidemic rates of death due to preventable skin cancer.

4. Widespread social discrimination fueled by powerful myths:There is long standing and widespread lack of public awareness of albinism. Powerful myths surround albinism in Africa:

� People with albinism will bring bad luck on the household.

� People with albinism never die - they simply vanish.

� Albinism is a contagious disease - as a result, many employers avoid hiring persons with albinism.

Question: How can you and other young people today raise awareness about the mistreatment and stereotypes of Albinos? Write an essay explaining your answer, thoughts, and ideas. Give specific examples and be creative and insightful.

Essays must not exceed 1,750 words, must be typed or neatly written, clearly organized, and address all parts of the question. Essays should be sent to the attention of: Under The Same Sun, P.O. Box 8141, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302. All essays must be submitted in English or Swahili.

For contact purposes only, students must include their name, home address, contact phone number, school name, school phone number and grade. An email address is optional. Essays will not be returned and become the unlimited property of Under The Same Sun. By entering the contest, entrants give permission for essays to be posted on our website. Winners will be notified in September 2010 or earlier.

First place: $300 U.S. Savings Bond

Second place: $200 U.S. Savings Bond

Third place: $100 U.S. Savings Bond

Any honorable mentions will receive a certificate.

Prizes of comparable value will be awarded for those who reside outside of the United States.

Under The Same Sun is a Canadian federally registered non-profit organization founded in 2008 by Peter Ash, who also acts as Chairman of the Board. Ash is a passionate philanthropist and entrepreneur, holding an undergraduate degree in Theology and a Graduate degree in psychology. An ordained Baptist minister who left the ministry and went into the real estate business with his brother ten years ago, Peter's background includes a decade of work in church ministry and subsequently a decade in business. Ash also has albinism, a genetic condition which results in significantly reduced vision. As a result of Peter's faith background and his own disability, his heart drives him to do whatever he can to provide resources to assist those most disadvantaged by disability, discrimination, and poverty. The goal of Under The Same Sun is to provide resources which allow these people groups to increase their quality of life and gain increased independence. Assisting Peter in this endeavor is his brother Paul Ash. According to their mission, "We are driven by the belief that all people have been created in the image of God and thus have intrinsic value and are accordingly worthy of love and support."

While some Tanzanian children with the condition of albinism were routinely killed due to an age-old belief they are accursed, Ash says the idea that albino body parts would produce magical effects doesn't appear to have cropped up until about ten years ago. The killing of albinos and trafficking in body parts appears to be centered in the northern part of the country in and around the city of Mwanza, in areas where the Christian churches haven't penetrated, where "there's no moral code, no right or wrong - just the witch doctor who is feared and whose word is law." Ash said he never intended to be a missionary in Africa. "But here was a group of people I could identify with that were being attacked and no one from the West was getting involved and helping. I felt God had given me the means to help out so that's how I started," he said. Ash has devoted about $1 million of his own money to ending the attacks on albinos in Africa. He first flew out to Tanzania in 2008 and has visited the country a number of times since. "I thought I must get involved. I couldn't just sit here in Canada while my albino brothers and sisters overseas were being killed." For more information about albinism and/or Under The Same Sun,please visit

www.underthesamesun.com. 

 

June is Homeschool Copyright Month. How much do you really know about copyright law? Take this quiz and find out!

Copyright Quiz

Which of the following scenarios are acceptable? Answer TRUE or FALSE for each one. (Answers at bottom.)

1. I'm desperately in need of an essay right now - I procrastinated too long and it's due tomorrow. Luckily, I found one on the internet that perfectly fits my topic. To save time, I'll just use that one and change some of the wording to make it mine, and everything will be fine. True or False?

2. I bought an e-book online and downloaded it to my computer. I can copy and share this e-book with my friends because it is on my computer and belongs to me. True or False?

3. A nice poem has been circulating through the e-mail. I don't know who wrote it or where it originally came from, but since it's been made freely available via e-mail, it must be okay for me to post it on my blog. True or False?

4. I found a book that I really like. It was printed in 2006 but it doesn't have the � symbol in it or say "copyright" anywhere. I did some research and learned that it was never registered with the U.S. Copyright Office; therefore I am free to copy it. True or False?

5. Somebody (not the author) posted the text of an entire book (it's a small paperback with only 90 pages) on the Web. The book is copyrighted 1981 and available on Amazon, but since it can be read online it's okay for me to print out a copy for free. True or False?

6. I had to buy a literature study guide for my English class. I'm going to make a copy of it for my own use and then I'll sell the original on eBay. This is perfectly acceptable since I paid for it. True or False?

7. I've posted on my web page the full text of two chapters out of my favorite book. As long as I give the author credit, I'm sure it's okay for me to do this as she will be glad to have the free publicity. True or False?

8. I really like this song, and I found a copy of it on the Internet. That must mean it's in the public domain and free to download. True or False?

9. I'm volunteering to teach an after-school Spanish class for kids. There are ten students and they will all need to have their own workbook pages. I'll copy the workbook that I have and won't charge the students for the copies, but just give them away. Since it's for nonprofit educational purposes, I'm allowed to do this. True or False?

10. I saw a book at the library that I really like. It was published in 1994, but it's out of print. I can make a copy of it since it must be in the public domain now. True or False?

11. I belong to a file sharing group. Members scan in the books that we own, upload the files, and then everybody in the group can share. It's okay to do this because no money changes hands. True or False?

12. I borrowed a book from the library that included a CD with extra materials. Since it's a library copy, I can legally duplicate the CD and share it with my friends. True or False?

13. I scanned in some illustrations from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1866), illustrated by John Tenniel [1820-1914]. I'm going to color the images and use them on note cards, t-shirts, and other gifts that I will sell on CafePress. The copyright has expired so I'm free to do this. True or False?

 

ANSWERS: Questions 1-12 are FALSE! Question 13 is TRUE.

 

How did you do? Did some of the answers surprise you? Many people don't understand the copyright law, so just because someone else is doing it doesn't mean it's right. A simple way to look at it is this: if lots of people were to make photocopies or download the material for free, would it hurt the creators' ability to make a living from their work? Or how would you feel if you had worked really hard on something, but you didn't get any credit for it (or someone else took all the credit)? Don't cross the copyright line!

 

The above quiz was inspired by www.HomeschoolCopyright.com.

For more information, see also: http://www.benedict.com - Copyright Website

http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html - 10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained

http://www.utsystem.edu/OGC/IntellectualProperty/cprtindx.htm - Crash Course in Copyright

http://www.copyright.gov - U.S. Copyright Office


What to Do if Your Friend is Texting while Driving

Texting and Driving Cartoon

If you feel uncomfortable when your friend is behind the wheel, but their mind is on the screen of their phone, there are ways to speak up without seeming lame or sounding like an overbearing parent.  Here are six ways for teens to tell distracted drivers to put down their phone and focus on the road:

1.  "Please Stop Texting While You Drive" or "Stop! Get off your phone!"

The direct approach can really make an impact when someone sees that you are nervous and concerned about making it to your destination free of pain and suffering. Tell the driver that they need to put the phone down. Most of the time, they will appreciate the reminder. Straight honesty is always the best policy.

2.  "Don't You Know it's Illegal to Text and Drive?"

If texting while driving is against the law where you live, that should be all you need to say. If your state doesn't yet have a law banning texting while driving, you can say that many states do and it's for a good reason.

3.  "How About You Drive, and I'll Text?"

Everyone likes a helping hand, so offer to take over the text messaging role while the other person focuses solely on driving. Promise to keep the messages confidential and since you are friends, that trust can be honored. 

4.  "It's Not Just Me; WeAll Want You To Stop Texting And Driving"

There is power in numbers. Teens like to travel together and you can't be the only one who feels that their life is in danger by a driver texting away on the phone. Take a vote before getting in the car with a notorious text-driving addict and suggest taking away their keys or riding with someone else if the behavior does not change.

5.  "My Mom/Dad Says I Cannot Ride With You If You Continue to Text and Drive"

Believe me, mom and dad will not mind taking the blame. If your parents haven't already made this rule, talk to them about it and I'm sure they will.

6.  "Please let me out - right now, right here."

If the driving and texting continues, ask the driver to pull over to the side of the road and let you out of the vehicle. Once you're safely out of the car, call someone you can trust to pick you up. Don't hesitate for fear of sounding silly. In most cases, concern for your own well-being - even if they think you are overreacting - isn't going to jeopardize a friendship. But if it does, then it's not worth having a friend who does not respect your wishes and puts you in harm's way. It might seem like the end of the world to lose a friendship, but the real end of the world would be the accident that happens because someone was texting instead of driving. It's up to you to take responsibility for your personal safety. Don't become an innocent victim!      


   

HST Blogroll 

Are you a homeschooling teen? Do you have your own blog? You know you excel in your field of thought, right? ;) Would you like to get more visitors to your blog? Let us add your blog to our Homeschooling Teen Blogroll at http://homeschoolingteen.wordpress.com ! You can write about anything you want in your blog, as long as it adheres to the standards set forth in Philippians 4:8. ("Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.") In other words, keep it nice and keep it clean! Take a look at a few of the blogs that are already there, and be sure to contact us at [email protected] to add yours to the list!

 

                     
 
                                                       

ONLINE ACRONYMS

 

Acronyms and text shorthand are abbreviations for words and phrases. These are popular in e-mails, instant messages, newsgroups, forums and chat rooms. Acronyms are formed from the first letters of a series of words, which are pronounced as a new word. (For example, the acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus is SCUBA and is pronounced "skoo-bah.") Text shorthand is a set of initials in which you say the individual letters one by one. (For example, PBJ is the initialism for Peanut Butter and Jelly, pronounced "P-B-J.") Computer users commonly refer to both forms of abbreviations as acronyms. The following list contains just a few examples:

 

AFK - Away from keyboard


ALOL - Actually laughing out loud


B4N - Bye for now


HTH - Hope this helps


CTC - Care to chat?


CYA - See ya


DYNWUTB - Do you know what you are talking about?


GAS - Got a second?


GMTA - Great minds think alike


HAND - Have a nice day


JLMK - Just let me know


KIT - Keep in touch


WKD - Weekend



           
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