Current Events, a Weekly Reader publication back issues from January 2008:
The puck stops here.(MOVE)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This goalie is hoping her stretched-out leg will keep a skidding puck from hitting the net. Ice hockey is a fast-paced game in which players try to rack up goals while keeping the other ...
Clearing the air.(PULSE)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... When it comes to smoggy, sooty air. the Los Angeles area is tops. That dubious distinction comes from the American Lung Association (ALA), which studied air-quality readings from major U.S. metropolitan areas. "We want people to understand how air pollution in their county compares with ...
In 2003.(PULSE)(number of teenagers who had obesity surgery)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... In 2003, 771 U.S. teens had surgery to treat obesity, triple the number in ...
Drop the pop.(PULSE)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... People who drank at least two servings of cola each day had more than double the risk of kidney disease, says one study. The same risk wasn't ...
Beating the blues.(PULSE)(Liz Kollaja)(Interview)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Depression is a common problem that people are often too ashamed to talk about. But not Liz Kollaja. The 29-year-old from Tulsa, Okla., developed depression in seventh grade, and by 12th grade she had conquered it. Along the way, she devoted herself to volunteering with her local Mental ...
They worry about you.(PULSE)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Wear a jacket, or you'll catch a cold!" "If you don't eat your vegetables, how will you grow up strong?" Those are common concerns you probably hear from your parents. But they're tame in comparison to the things adults really worry about for teens and ...
Sitting smart.(SAFETY ZONE)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Babysitting is a popular job and a great way to make some extra cash. It's also a jolt of responsibility for teens. Whether you're watching your little cousin or heading out on your first paying babysitting gig, check out these tips on being a safe and ...
It's your year!(YOU SAID IT!)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The beginning of the year is a chance to take stock of how well you've treated yourself over the past 12 months. Maybe you took up a new sport, quit smoking, or tried to get more sleep. January 1 is also the perfect time to think about what habits--health-wise and ...
Crack the code: understand the secrets your genes hold.(YOUR BODY)(Cover story)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you could look into your future, would you? Someday geneticists may be able to do exactly that--at least when it comes to certain aspects of your health. They've already started the process for James Watson, the man who, along with Francis Crick, ...
Mellowing too much: sedative abuse is on the upswing.(YOUR CHOICES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... When Ben was in his early teens, he suffered from depression. Ben's doctor prescribed some antianxiety medicines. Once the drugs hit his system, Ben says, his worries seemed to fade into the rearview mirror. Soon, though, the Illinois teenager was abusing the drugs: supersizing ...
Test your fitness IQ: raise your heart rate with these pulse-pounding questions.(YOUR ENERGY)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether you're hitting home runs on the baseball diamond or just jogging around the track in gym class, you probably know a thing or two about exercise. Many teens do--about 36 percent of high school students get the recommended amounts of exercise, ...
Everyone's a critic! How to dish out (and take) criticism.(YOUR RELATIONSHIP)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Your performance was wack. You should practice more." If someone said that to you, how would you react? Would you mention her stumble during the track meet? Remind him that he's having a bad hair day? Although receiving ...
Is our health-care system sick? What teens need to know about health insurance.(YOUR WORLD)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you think health insurance is an issue that matters only to older adults, you should talk to Adam Caron, 21, a sports radio producer in Birmingham, Ala. Because Caron's a part-time employee, the radio station not pay for his health insurance, and he is ...
The unkindest cut: cutting is a sign of serious pain: in a recent survey of high school students, 14 percent of boys and 23 percent of girls said they had hurt themselves on purpose in the previous year.(YOUR MIND)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Fifteen-year-old Alicia first pushed staples into her legs in seventh grade. She went through phases of self-harm over the next several months. "I couldn't help it," says Alicia, who is from Arizona. "It's an addiction." She wasn't trying to get attention, and she didn't want to die ....
What's up, doc?(hair dyeing and marijuana)
Jan 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q Is dyeing your hair bad for you? --Rachel H., North Dakota Be it blue, green, or pink, many teens enjoy the freedom to dye their hair any color they want. It's fun, after all! But some wonder if hair dyeing is safe. The short ...
Dips.(GET UP AND GO!)(exercise for the triceps)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether you toss a toy to your dog or carry in the groceries, you do a lot of things with your arms throughout the day! This month's exercises focus on the triceps, the large muscle in the back of the upper arm. The exercises also work your shoulder ...
Genetic counselors: they read your genes.(Health Works: Exploring Careers in Health)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] People at risk for inherited diseases often rely on a genetic counselor as a guide. These health professionals provide information in plain English about genetic tests, help patients understand results, and offer emotional support. The Job: ...
National health standards.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Students will: comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention. "Crack the Code"; "Is Our Health-Care System Sick?"; "The Unkindest Cut" demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health. ...
Flex your critical muscle.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The article "Everyone's a Critic!" (page 19) outlines some helpful strategies for giving and receiving criticism. Here's your chance to put what you've learned into practice by answering the questions below. 1. Your little sister asks you to read her book report before she ...
Health insurance 101.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Directions: Read the article "Is Our Health-Care System Sick?" (page 22). Then answer the questions below. Part 1 1. How many people in the United States don't have health insurance? 2. The total U.S. population is about 300 million. About what percentage ...
The cutting edge.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Directions: Read the article "The Unkindest Cut" (page 26). Then follow the directions below. 1. Name three reasons some teens harm themselves. 2. Name three of the risks faced by teens who self-injure. 3. Name three nonharmful ways of coping with emotional ...
Wacky weather whacks Wisconsin.(WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [1] WHEATLAND, Wis. -- They're used to blizzards in Wisconsin this time of year, but tornadoes? A twister with 150-mile-per-hour winds struck Wheatland on January 7, tearing up more than 100 homes. It was the state's first January tornado in more than 40 years, and the storm that produced ...
Kenya erupts in violence.(political violence)(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [2] NAIROBI, Kenya -- Kenya is considered one of Africa's most stable democracies, but the latest election shows how fragile that democracy really is. President Mwai Kibaki's tribe, the Kikuyu. has dominated Kenya's politics and economy for years. When ...
A blow to democracy.(Benazir Bhutto's death)(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [4] ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan has struggled with democracy. Late last year it appeared to be headed for change, though. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had returned from exile to challenge President Pervez Musharraf, an army general who seized power in 1999. The day Bhutto ...
Talk back.(Letter to the editor)
Jan 21, 2008; ... Dear Current Events, I think the baseball steroids article was great because those people were heroes and role models ["Champ or Cheat?" issue 12]. I wish they would have just said they used them .... If they had been strong enough to say it, their reputations would not have been ...
Drowning in trash.(garbage problem in Naples, Italy)(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 NAPLES, Italy -- Mounds of rotting refuse spilled into streets across Naples this month. The problem got so bad, the U.S. embassy even issued a travel warning for tourists. It all started when the city's trash dumps filled up. With nowhere to put the ...
Don't get in their way!(CARTOON OF THE WEEK)(Hike Huckabee and Barack Obama )(Cartoon)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Iowa caucus winners Hike Huckabee and Barack Obama aren't your typical ...
Who wants to be president? Two states down and it's anyone's race.(primaries)(Cover story)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The presidential frenzy hit the chilly streets of Iowa and New Hampshire with the energy of a high school pep rally. Candidates were everywhere, shaking hands, kissing babies, and shouting out their messages to cheering crowds. Every four ...
Not so black-and-white.(Marjane Satrapi)(Interview)(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... The graphic novel Persepolis tells the story of a girl growing up in the tumult of Ivan after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It was a world without pop music, Western clothes, or hanging out with boys in public. The tale, told in crisp black-and-white drawings, is the autobiography of ...
Gadgets galore.(Consumer Electronics Show )(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do you go gaga for gadgets? It looked as if a gazillion new high-tech gizmos were on display at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev., in early January. More than 2,700 technology companies displayed their latest toys at the show, and ...
Look out below!(STRANGE BUT TRUE)(iguanas in Florida)(Brief article)
Jan 21, 2008 ... Have you ever heard the expression, "It's raining cats and dogs"? In Florida, it was raining iguanas. When the temperature fell below freezing in early January, iguanas began dropping from the trees. The cold caused the reptiles to go into a deep ...
Are zoos bad news? Tiger attack spurs debate.(animal attacks caused debate for zoos)
Jan 21, 2008 ... The phone call reached zoo director Manuel Mollinedo shortly after 5 p.m. as darkness was falling on San Francisco. One of his tigers was on the loose! She had escaped her enclosure and attacked a teenager and two other young men before bounding into the zoo's dense foliage and winding ...
Word power.(TEST YOURSELF)(Table)
Jan 21, 2008 ... Circle the best definition for the emphasized word in each sentence. Use the page number to locate the word. <Pre> 1. Change is a popular theme this year. It's also inevitable. (p. 5) important inspirational unavoidable 2. "That, my friends, is just what I intend to ...
Analyze the map.(test on presidential primary )(Table)
Jan 21, 2008 ... Study the map showing the U.S. states' presidential primary and caucus dates. Then fill in the circle next to the correct answer. <Pre> 1. Which state holds the last Democratic and Republican primary? (A) South Dakota (B) Oregon (C) Texas 2. How many states how a ...
Comprehension.(TEST YOURSELF)(reading comprehension on current events)(Table)
Jan 21, 2008 ... Read the stories in this issue to answer the following questions. Fill in the circle next to the correct answer. <Pre> 1. Which African nation broke out in violence after a presidential election? (A) Libya (B) Sudan (C) Kenya 2. Which U.S. state ...
One laptop per child comes home.(WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... [1] WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Professor Nicholas Negroponte launched the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project five years ago with a dream: He wanted to get computers into the hands of children in the world's poorest countries. Laptop computers are expensive, but that didn't stop the tech-savvy ...
Razmataz!(WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP)(lemur)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... [2] BRISTOL, England -- Talk about a sight for sore aye-ayes! Meet Raz. This devilish little lemur is only the second aye-aye to be born in Great Britain and is the latest addition to Bristol Zoo Gardens. Raz belongs to an endangered species native to Madagascar, an island off Africa's ...
Inching closer.(WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP)(Taiwan wants independence from China)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [3] TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan is a rebel., at least in the eyes of China. Leaders of the island province have been talking about independence from China's communist government since 1949. That was the year Mao Zedong's communists took over China and his ...
Rough seas for whales.(WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP)(hunt of 1000 whales)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANTARCTICA -- A bizarre chase was under way off the coast of Antarctica in January. It started when the Japanese whaling fleet set out to kill 1,000 whales. Commercial whaling is off limits, but Japan says its hunt is allowed because it's part of a ...
Talk back.(Letter to the editor)
Jan 28, 2008; ... Dear Current Events, I do think corporal punishment should be illegal because spanking kids doesn't teach them a good lesson ["Mom Says 'Don't Spank,'" issue 13]. It just makes them scared of you for hurting them. People think that kids will learn from their mistakes, but if you just make ...
All the way to the top.(CARTOON OF THE WEEK)(Cartoon)
Jan 28, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to scale Mount ...
Bubble trouble? Oil cost, housing slump may burst U.S. economy.(United States)(Cover story)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Dark clouds are gathering. There's a chill in the air. In the distance is the low rumble of thunder. That's the "weather report" for the U.S. economy. Experts fear the economy may be in for some hard times, but they disagree about just how bad things will get. Some argue that ...
Black Tuesday.(Stock Market Crash)
Jan 28, 2008 ... October 29, 1929, was a dark day in U.S. history. The roaring '20s had been an exciting decade with a "get-rich-quick" mentality. People invested heavily in land and businesses, believing the value could only go up. Then the bubble burst. In 1929, stock prices started to fall, triggering a ...
Chasing dreams on cloud nine.(Barrington Irving as a pilot)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Imagine flying alone in an airplane over the Atlantic Ocean and seeing thunderstorms gathering in the sky ahead. You try to dodge the danger, but your plane is shaking, and ice is building up on the wings. Would you be scared? Barrington Irving (right, standing) was. But he isn't one to ...
Touchdown!(SPORTS)(student reporter to cover Super Bowl XLII )(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Student reporter Claire Jordan of Arizona scored a super assignment. She's going to tackle Super Bowl XLII for Current Events and Weekly Reader. On February 3, CLaire will cover the big game. ...
Glass Bottle Divas.(STRANGE BUT TRUE)(National Cricket Singing Competition)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Calling all crickets! China recently held its National Cricket Singing Competition, and it was one noisy event. The chirpy insects "sing" by rubbing their front wings together. In competitions, dozens of crickets are tined up in glass bottles. White their owners nervously watch, a judge ...
School daze? One U.S. senator supports a nine-hour school day!(DEBATE)(Edward Kennedy's education policy)
Jan 28, 2008; ... It's 7:30 a.m., and the classrooms at Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, Mass., are buzzing with activity. The students will be busy here until 4:30 p.m. That's a nine-hour school day! Why so long? Massachusetts wanted to find out whether extra time in class could help ...
Hitting home.(ANALYZE THE GRAPH)(foreclosure)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... The number of U.S. homes that went into foreclosure because their owners could no longer afford them has risen over the past year. This graph shows the number of new forclosure each month starting in November 2006. U.S. HOME FORECLOSURES Jan.-Nov. 2006 1,148,762 ...
Word power.(TEST YOURSELF)(word test)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Circle the best definition for the emphasized word in each sentence. Use the page number to locate the word. <Pre> 1. ... aye-ayes have been hunted to near extinction, partly because locaLs view them as bad omens. (p. 2) animals signs breaks 2. Unemployment rises, and ...
Comprehension.(TEST YOURSELF)(reading comprehension on current events)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Read the stories in this issue to answer the following questions. Fill in the circle next to the correct answer. 1. Which initials are used by a group that provides inexpensive laptop computers for poor children? (A) NAFTA (B) OLPC (C) NYSE 2. What is Raz? ...
Words in the news.(economic terminology)(Brief article)(Glossary)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Recession (page 4) A recession is a decline in business activity. Many economists define a recession as a drop in the output of goods and services for six consecutive months. On average, a recession lasts about one year. A recession that worsens and lasts for more than a year is ...
Adding fuel to the fire.(crude oil price)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Study the graph showing the changing price of crude oil over the past seven months. Then answer the questions. 1. In which month did the price of oil drop to less than $70 and then start rising again? A. Jury B. August C. September 2. In which month was ...
Comprehension.(reading comprehension test on economy)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Comprehension Read this issue's cover story, "Bubble Trouble?" Then answer the following questions. 1. Which borrower is most likely to have a subprime mortgage? A. a wealthy person buying his or her first home B. a person with a big salary ...
Money makes the words go round.(SKILLS PAGE)(testing economic words)(Brief article)
Jan 28, 2008 ... Do you have good economic "cents"? Below is a list of economic terms and their definitions. Read the words. Then use them to complete the sentences at the bottom of the page. bear market--a period of stow economic growth when the value of stocks goes down butt ...
The great race of 2008.(presidential candidates)(Brief article)(List)
Jan 28, 2008 ... And they're off! Track the presidential candidates as they rack the presidential candidates as they race through primary season. The gates open in January, when the first states hold their primaries and the first states hold their primaries and caucuses. When a candidate wins, mark has or ...