The Give-and-Take of Criticism

One of your friends asks you to come over and listen to a new song they have written for his band. They are obviously excited and want to get your opinion. You read it and think it is absolutely awful. You don't want to hurt your friends feelings, but you don't want to lie to them either. You don't know what to say...
Giving and taking criticism isn't easy. Even though it can be helpful, criticism is hard to take when it is negative. Giving it isn't much better. It is often difficult to walk the fine line between honesty and white lies. But handling criticism is a skill. All it takes is ome knowledge and some practice.

QUESTION: How do you handle situations like this, especially when friends are involved?

Tech Head

Are you headed for technology burnout?

Teens now opperate in an 'on demand' society. With cell phones, MP3 players, laptops and hand held games, the world is literally at their finger tips. Last year, a Seventeen magazine survey revealed that nearly all teens admitted to multitasking. I offer the new term megatasking. They can easily handle doing three things at once (one of which to educators shagrin is their homework!)

Technology is supossed to ease the load on our daily life, however, it may be the time teens spend using these high-tech gadgets that increases their stress. Teens also admit to freaking out when they do not have access to phones or email for even a few days. It is estimated that 70% of children have difficulty getting a good night of sleep. Sleep is closely linked to learning and memory ability, which can both affect school performance. Too much of a good thing can have some real adverse effects; increase risk of obesity, memory loss, mood swings and poor grades.

QUESTION: Is technology taking over your life?

Just Say NO To Drugs

October 23 - 27 is designated as Red Ribbon Week in many schools. It is a time to re-visit the emphasis on refusal skills when you are approached to use drugs. The well know phrase "Just Say NO" is the foundation. Throughout the Health Enhancement curriculum, you have been exposed to many different ways to handle this uncomfortable situation such as:

1. Making posters in support of staying drug free
2. Developing public service announcments to be shown to your classmates
3. Creating advertisments for staying off drugs
4. Roll playing (skits that involve using refusal skills)
5. Classroom discussions
6. Scare tactics (like the Meth commercials)
7. Wearing Reb Ribbons to raise awareness

We want to know what you think. You are 'in the trenches" and can share your experiences the best. Not being limited to the options above, in your opinion, what is the most effective way to prepare young peopl with the skills to handle being in a situation where drugs are being used or offered?