Reaching Out

 Reaching Out

    Iniko heaved a huge sigh and glared at his math book with frustration and confusion. Iniko usually had no trouble with math, but he did not understand what they were currently learning in class. Since beginning this new material. Iniko became further confused with each lesson and was struggling to keep up with his daily assignments.

    Iniko stared bleakly out the window of his room and decided that he needed to reach out for assistance. A math test was taking place in one week and he needed to understand the material before than. He had been studying for hours each night, but he was barely passing math.

Suddenly, Iniko thought of a solution, and he immediately flipped his folder open to the sheet his teacher handed out on the very first day of school. He scanned to the bottom of the page and found his teacher's e-mail address. Iniko walked to the family computer and logged on to their e-mail account. With his mother's permission, Iniko e-mailed his teacher to ask if she would be willing to tutor him after school.

    A few hours later, Iniko's mother informed him that his teacher had replied to his message. Iniko smiled as he read her reply because she said that she would happily work with him after school the very next day. Iniko felt relieved immediately, and he was glad that he had reached out to his teacher.

Weather Alerts

 Weather Alerts

    Your favorite television program is interrupted by a weather announcement. A meteorologist appears on the screen with a weather map to describe the current weather situation. You listen to the message provided by the meteorologist and then decide on your next course of action. Some weather alerts serve as a heads-up about the possibility of severe weather, while others require everyone to take immediate action to remain safe in that weather situation. How do you determine the appropriate action for each type of alert?

    A watch is issued far in advance of a severe weather situation. It is issued when the possibility of a tornado, severe thunderstorm, flood, winter storm, or heavy snowfall exists. Watches are issued to allow ample time for preparation, so that a storm will not catch people unaware.

    An advisory is issued for weather situations that are often more inconvenient than hazardous. However, situations termed advisory can turn hazardous with changing weather conditions or poor preparation. Some examples of weather situations that warrant advisories are slick roads or foggy conditions.

    A warning is issued when severe weather is imminent, meaning it is occurring immediately or has been detected by radar. Warnings are issued for hazardous storms such as tornadoes, blizzards, and severe thunderstorms, and they typically require the most immediate actions.

Eating Alone

 Eating Alone

    Mashonda thoughtfully observed the unaccompanied girl, named Saree, sitting at a remote table in the cafeteria. Mashonda shared a biology class with Saree, where Saree always sat in the back and waited until the classroom was empty before venturing into the hall. Mashonda wondered if Saree could use a friend.

    One day, Mashonda took advantage of the opportunity to speak with Saree after biology. Saree seemed surprised by this gesture, but she gave Mashonda a shy, appreciative smile as Mashonda introduced herself and started a conversation. Saree answered Mashonda's questions with such detail that Mashonda was left with the impression that Saree fervently desired to make new friends. Saree confided that she was new to town and that she had not made the acquaintance of many people, so Mashonda told her that she would provide introductions to her friends.

    In the lunchroom, Mashonda found Saree sitting in her regular location, but this time she was beaming a welcoming smile in her direction. Mashonda motioned that Saree should join her at a table closer to the cafeteria door, where six other girls sat. Saree looked apprehensive, but she took her tray and walked ahead.

    Mashonda introduced Saree to the other girls sitting at the table, and everyone welcomed Saree and included her in the conversation immediately. Saree gave Mashonda a grateful smile, and Mashonda was glad that she had taken time to know Saree.

Using a Compass

 Using a Compass

    Have you ever gone hiking or sailing? For these activities, it is necessary to know where you are headed. One way to find out is by looking at a compass.

    Back in the old days, captains guided their ships by finding the North Star in the night sky. This helped them know in which direction they were moving. Of course, this method did not work on cloudy nights.

    Fortunately, there was a solution to the problem of cloudy nights. Sailors would place a piece of floating wood in a bowl of water, and then place a magnet on top of the wood. The wood always floated to the north side of the bowl.

    Earth itself is a weak magnet with lines of force going toward the north and south poles. That is why the magnet pulled the wood toward the north. The magnet was attracted to the pull of Earth's North Pole. Things glide easily through water, so even the smallest pull from one direction would cause the wood to float that way.

    Compasses are a handier version of this idea. A magnetized needle spins above a smooth surface marked with four directions: north, east, south, and west. The same pull that moved the wood north through the water keeps the compass always pointing north. All you have to do is line up the needle with the letter N. Once you know where north is, you can easily figure out where the other directions are.

A Friend of the RainForest

A Friend of the RainForest

    It's hard to coax most individuals into taking an interest in rain forests. First of all, they seem so distant from most people. Second, they appear dark and dangerous. They are filled with snakes and poisonous plants. Dreadful, oversized insects are encountered everywhere. However, Jeff Corwin is different from most people. He has been concerned about the rain forests since he was a child.

    Rain forests produce much of the air you are breathing right now. Jeff learned this fact in grade school. Since then, he has had one major goal: to spread the word about the significance of rain forests. In particular, he is most interested in the many unique animals that live there.

    Why are these animals important? Many of the animals there cannot live anywhere else. In fact, these forests are home to half of the animal groups in the world. The animals are necessary for the health of the forest, as each one plays a role in keeping the rain forest in bloom. If even one died out, it could have a drastic effect on the others. All the other plants and animals living with it could suffer.

    Jeff wants to help people develop an understanding of this valuable information. He has started clubs for young people. The clubs teach ways to help protect the rain forests. Jeff believes education is the best way to preserve this precious resource. When people learn about rain forests, they will want to help save them.

Speedy Cheetahs

 Speedy Cheetahs

    Slowly count to four---one . . . two . . . three . . . four. That's not a very long time. But four seconds is the time it takes a cheetah to move from a standstill to a run at more than sixty miles an hour.

    Cheetahs are the fastest of all land animals. They have bodies built like running machines. Their large hearts pump extra blood, and their extra-wide nostrils take in a lot of air. Their long legs help them cover more than twenty feet with each stride, while their long tails balance and guide them. They even have grooved footpads and strong claws that help them grip the ground as they run.

    Running sixty miles an hour takes a lot of energy. Cheetahs tire easily and cannot run long distances. Instead, they use quick bursts of speed to catch prey such as zebras, antelopes, and rabbits. Cheetahs run best when they move in a straight line, so an animal that makes twists and turns still might get away.

    Like most big cats, cheetahs are an endangered species. Many live in the southern part of Africa near private ranching land. Some ranchers view them as pests, and thousands of cheetahs have been killed during the last decade. Efforts now are being made to protect and save these beautiful creatures. Perhaps one day you will have an opportunity to see these speedy animals in the wild.

Taking a Risk

 Taking a Risk

    Last week, my mother told me that she'd won some lessons at a dirt bike school. She quickly added that she wanted me to have them. My mouth dropped open because I've never been athletic. I don't even drive yet. "Think about it, Greta," she said. "It might be fun." I knew that I was ready for some excitement in my life, but I wasn't sure I was ready for dirt bike lessons.

    Then I heard the words "I'll do it" coming from my mouth. Before I knew it, I was at the dirt bike school. I had spent the morning learning all about dirt bike safety. Now I was putting on my gear, which included gloves, a helmet, boots, and a padded coat and pants. After learning about my bike, I would be ready to take my first ride. 

    Before long, and after only a few spills, I actually was riding a dirt bike across the sandy practice area. It wasn't easy. I really had to concentrate to manage the hand brake, the foot brake, and four gears all at once. To my complete surprise, however, I was having more fun and felt more confident than I had in a long time.

    Later, I decided I was ready to attempt the trail. However, our instructor told us it was time for class to end. Now, instead of wondering if I'd enjoy riding a dirt bike, I can hardly wait for next week's lesson and the new things I'll learn.