the scoop

the scoop

cnn for students

Global recession, a new U.S. presidential administration, bailouts, war ... there’s just too much going on in the world for teenagers to remain ignorant of current events. Especially when the decisions made today will have an impact on the world teens will inherit.

If traditional news sources leave you cold, you might want to give CNN Student News (www.cnn.com/studentnews/) a shot. Although the site is targeted for teachers, there’s no reason intellectually curious teens can’t benefit from its services.

The centerpiece of the site is a daily video podcast that summarizes the news of the day. Hosted by anchor Carl Azuz, the podcast includes clips from CNN broadcasts and quiz questions and can be downloaded to your iPod to watch on the go.

Azuz also writes a blog for the site, “Student News From A to Z.” The blog covers a range of topics from the serious to comical. Recent entries include thoughts on Nebraska’s Safe Haven law and coffee processed through civet cats and sold for top dollar (gross!).

knitting is cool

Knitting. It’s no longer an activity designated to grandmothers. Haven’t you heard?

Knitting guru Vickie Howell wants you to know how cool knitting is. She’s created a pattern called “Hand Like a Hole” for her Vicky Howell collection, which you can find free on her Web site (www.vickiehowell.com). It’s a wrist-warmer, which (especially when paired with a guitar and/or the right outfit) will transform your look from student to rock star.

But the best part is the Vickie Howell Soysilk yarn, made by South West Trading Company. You can get Howell’s Craft, Rock and Love yarn on Soysilk’s Web site (soysilk.com/yarn.html). Each color in the “Rock” category ($10.50) is named after a rock star. Our favorites are Shirley, a salmonlike color, and Dave, a pretty royal blue.

poetry slammers

Slam U, a series of performance poetry workshops presented by the arts education department at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland, is a unique opportunity for high school students to speak their minds, hone their poetry-writing and performance skills, and compete for a place on Cleveland’s National Youth Poetry Slam Team that will travel to Brave New Voices, the 12th annual National Youth Poetry Slam Festival, in July.

Poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. Emphasis is on both writing and performance. At a poetry slam, poets perform their work and members of the audience serve as judges.

Workshops will be held Jan. 16 and Feb. 20. At each workshop, teens will work with a teaching artist and peer coaches to develop their skills and prepare for the competition that will be held March 27 and April 3 (semi-finals), and April 17 (finals). Four finalists and one alternate will be chosen to represent Cleveland at the National Youth Poetry Slam.

To complement Slam U, the Arts Education Department is offering after-school drop-in sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. during February and March. Adult and peer coaches will be available.

Slam U is open to Northeast Ohio students ages 14-19. All Slam U events are free, but reservations are recommended. Call (216) 348-7909 or e-mail artseducation@playhousesquare.org to reserve a spot.

All events will be held at the Idea CenterTM at PlayhouseSquare, 1375 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.

dealing with distraction

How annoying. You’re studying at the library, trying to work. But the kid at the next table keeps gabbing on a cell phone.

From study hall to computer labs, some kids are rude and distracting. Tammi Mackeben, counselor at Ernesto Serna School in El Paso, Texas, said kids can successfully confront a noise-maker.

First, plan on being assertive, not aggressive. An assertive person speaks clearly, firmly and maintains eye contact. An aggressive person is angry.

Approach the person and explain how you are having trouble studying. “Use ‘I’ statements, ‘I can’t study, I need you to stop,’” Mackeben said.

inspired by obama

President-elect Barack Obama inspired many young people this election season, but even someone too young to vote felt a breeze of hope.

Thirteen-year-old Nat Wolff, star of the TV series, “The Naked Brothers Band,” said Obama is “the coolest guy ever” and meeting the former Senator led Nat to write a song called, “Yes We Can,” which will be featured on the TV show’s Christmas special, airing Saturday.

“I just saw him and it was the most inspirational thing. He made me feel like he could make America so cool,” Nat said in a recent interview.

The Obamas, including daughters Sasha, 10, and Malia, 7, have listened to the tune.

“The Naked Brothers Band” is a hit program featuring Nat and his younger brother, Alex, 10, as members of a rock band. For the show’s Christmas special, Whoopi Goldberg and Natasha Bedingfield will guest star.