MY DRAMA TWEENS

WELCOME

 

I USED TO BE A DRAMA TEEN/TWEEN!

IF you are a teen (or will be soon) and simply wants to hear a different perspective to life's daily challenges, then welcome to the Drama Tweens World.

BAD ROMANCE by Lady Gaga

You got to love this ---our Drama teens is on the move again - -finding the album for Lady Gaga's new album! Check this out - -and let me know if this is worth my $20!

HOW WILL I USE FINANCIAL LITERACY TO PREPARE ME FOR COLLEGE?

G3's entry in an essay writing contest:

I am a freshman in high school and I only have $400 in the bank. What can I do so I can prepare myself to by using financial literacy? Most importantly I have to save my money and not buying some pointless things.

Why is it important to me to know about money TODAY to help me TOMORROW? I ask that question to myself every time I take my wallet out of my purse. If I spend my money buying some pointless fifty-dollar shirt at Hollister, I am wasting a bunch of money in just two seconds. If I save money today, I would have a better chance on buying more things that I want, and I can actually afford the things that I will need later on life.  So in order to afford college tuition, I better start saving money, do some extra work inside and outside school, do a lot of credits in high school, or at least try to get a scholarship. In addition, I should baby-sit more, wash the cars more often, I need to do my chores consistently so that my mom will pay me. 

It is the start of 2009 and If I get baby sitting jobs from our neighbors at $50 per month, in one year this will help me place additional $600 in the bank. If I keep on offering to wash my daddy’s car at $10 per month, I will get $120 in one year. If I do my chores, she will pay me $20 per month or $240 for one year. By adding all of these small chores I will have a total of $960 by March 2010. If I continue doing these, how much is that in 5 years?

Without education, people would be nowhere, and they would not have a successful life ahead of them. Higher-level jobs only take people with a very good education and a college degree. My current high school GPA is 3.8 and I am definitely going to college through saving money every month from every chore. I know that I will able to afford tuition costs plus buy all the books I need the moment I step into college in 2012.

What is Financial Literacy and why is it important to me?

G1's entry to an essay writing contest

“What is Financial Literacy and why is it important to me?”  It means to understand finance and its long-term implication as we face the future. For me, its all about saving money today so I can build my future as I grow older. As a teenager, I grew up having to what we call “fitting in” with other people. I tend to waste my money buying materials that I do not even need. At the end of the day, I have asked myself ,”What is my purpose in doing so?“

While spending money sounds fun and easy to do, there is just one bit of a problem: What will happen to me tomorrow? Having only my $20 monthly allowance today, I asked myself “How does this contribute to my future goal, what can I do now so it will benefit me ten years from now?” 

My Plan A: I need to look on why I should force myself in keeping half of my monthly allowance in the bank. At present I have $500 dollars in the bank, If I add $10 dollars every month for the next 5 years, I am able to add additional $600 ($10 x 12 months x 5 years) and therefore my money will be at $1,100 plus interest .

Plan B: If my parents give me $200 dollars for my birthday, by saving half of it every year , this will mean an  additional $500 ($100 x 5 =$500) in the bank for the next 5 years which will now bring up my account to $1,600 (Plan A + Plan B plus interest).  

Plan C: At 17, my parents will buy me a car and this means I can start working part time jobs. If I keep another $100 a month from part time, in 5 years, I have an additional $6,000 ($100 x 12 months x 5 years) in the bank bringing up my future savings to $7,600 (Plan A+ Plan B+ Plan C) plus interest.

As a sophomore in  High School, college is around the corner. Limiting myself into spending only on  important matters can help me achieve my future goals. Looking ahead, if I continue to save, there is a big chance that I can earn enough money to go to the Philippines to visit my friends without asking money from my parents.

KNOWING YOUR BALANCE

G2's entry to an essay writing contest:

What would ensue if a person does not know on how to spend his or her money wisely? Will that person be satisfied with his or her life? Knowing how finance works should be the utmost priority of any adult, or even for everybody. Financial literacy allows civilians to be more responsible for their future, it clarifies on how to handle one’s currency, and it provides service for the community.

 I am sophomore student in high school. I calculate my expenses by not wasting them through unimportant materials, like buying too many clothes , but I focus my funds on my bank account. Having a bank account allows me to be more reliable because it demonstrates that I can take care of my belongings efficiently. One might say that car is the basic item that any buy. Buying unimportant items will not make anyone more successful in life because it will only leave them in colossal debts.

 What are some benefits that I obtain from putting my funding to good use? First, the knowledge itself is essential. If I learn on how to accumulate my money, I know for sure that when I grow up, I will not be in great debt that will leave me bankrupt. The United States economy used to be free from any amounts overdue. Today, the national deficit reaches up to ten trillion dollars.  Second, by knowing my finances, I can earn some money for college. College is my first priority because it facilitates my chances of having a great occupation. My mom and dad both have a well-paying professions, and they pay their expenses monthly. Through them, I realize that money is highly significant to a person’s life. Lastly, by having perceptive information about money, I can assist my community. When I grow up, I am required to pay taxes. By paying taxes, I can be useful to the country because it can reimburse our national debts.

Knowing financial literacy is very helpful to me, my future, and to the economy. When time comes that I can be an adult, I should always remember that money is very important to me, and that wasting it will be a huge disappointment to my future. Always remember that financial literacy will locate a person in a fine college, and a better future to be more successful.

FIRE by 2ne1

Ok..this is a bomb! If I am in Manila right now - -I will create a girl band and knock on the doors of those lonely singing dreamy composers! Create a girl band!!!! We need some rocking music!!!!

SPACE VERSION

STREET VERSION

NOBODY by WONDER GIRLS

You've got to love the Koreans for creating an upbeat music and video!

So trendy! I know Filipinos are talented - -but why are they focused on reviving old music which makes us cry. Can you at least try creating music that are forward looking???? 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR COLLEGE: Study ACT in Advance

The best gift we can give to our kids is education! But of course, it's not presented in a silver platter - -  they need to work hard for it!

This summer, our girls are being challenged to study the ACT in advance to prepare them for the test!

WHAT IS ACT:

• It is national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in:ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS , READING and SCIENCE
• ACT is a test given to high school juniors who plan to attend college that aims to determine knowledge base of the student
• ACT scores range from 1 - 36. The higher the score, the higher the probability that you may be accepted in your college of choice
• The test itself includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing).
• Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing

WHEN TO PREPARE:

• The earlier the better!  Bear in mind that the test is open once you are in junior high, you may take the test in your school (ask your guidance counselors for schedule)  or at a designated testing station. But why wait for the last minute announcement? Start Studying early (G3 an incoming sophomore is also studying ACT this summer together with G1 and G2)

HOW WE PREPARE FOR ACT:

For Parents:

• Do your homework and research on different test guides available in the web
  
•  Explain to teens the benefit of getting high ACT scores (i.e. early college admission, higher scholarship grants etc)
  
• Set expectations
  
• Encourage positive reinforcement in study habits
• Check daily progress
• The "carrot" strategy: Not sure about you, but Dr. D hubby promised a big bonus for the kids (depends on the grade range)
• Stock upon fruits and snacks (Kids do get hungry while studying!)
• Give them a break! (Occasionally, treat them for a movie or ice cream for a job well done! Hmmm..color streaks in the hair at Gould's salon? - - I'll think about it..)

    

 For Students:

• Allocate 2 -3 hours a day on reading the test guide
• Set a recurring time in the morning  that works best (preferably 10:00am-12:00pm)
• Find a study buddy (thank goodness for twin power)
• Designate a study corner
• Use timer to check progress on each test
• Find a conducive study environment (if you prefer to study with our Ipod on - - whatever works!)
• Train your mind to focus on looking into details
• Don't get frustrated if you have a wrong answer - - just learn from a mistake and learn from it

But most importantly  .. . .ENJOY THE NEW WORDS, NEW IDEAS and NEW MATH TRICKS!

Great job girls ! Keep it up

TEENS: THINGS TO DO FOR SUMMER

It's only 3 days after school and it seems that we are running out of things to do - -so here are suggestions of what teens may  plan to include for the long summer.

We have excluded watching movies, computer time, gym and  regular chores as they are part of our normal schedule. So here's our top 20 list (so we will not sleep the entire summer away):

1. Advance reading for SAT
2. Research requirements for college entry
3. Start a diary
4. Learn to speak one foreign language/ Master Spanish
5. Research three countries you want to visit
6. Learn how to play five new songs (guitar/ piano)
7. Choreograph three new dance routine
8. Write a short story/essay
9. Read minimum three books
10. Learn how to cook at least three dishes (Italian, Japanese)
11. Learn how to make homemade ice cream
12. Practice driving
13. Visit an art museum
14. Paint a picture /portrait
15. Volunteer at the local library
16. Organize old pictures and important documents in one place
17. Donate unused personal items to charity
18. Visit local bank (update savings account and inquire future banking options for teens)
19. Search for job opportunities at local groceries
20. Clean your closet and make an advance shopping list of what you need for school

Long list? I bet you have no reason to be bored. Try this out with us!

By the way - - there is a test later!

SUMMER READING -SOPHOMORE HONORS

Hello Sophomore Drama Teens!

Here's my pick for this long hot summer!
Enjoy!

Anthem by Ayn Rand:
He lived in the dark ages of the future.  In the loveless world he dared to love the woman of his choice.  In an age that had lost all trace of science and civilization he had the courage to seek and find knowledge.  But these were not the crimes for which he would be hunted.  He was marked for death because he had committed the unpardonable sin: he had stood forth from the mindless human herd.  He was a man alone.  This is a tale of a future dark age of the great “We”—a world that deprives individuals of name, independence, and values.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda Sordino suffers through her freshman year at Merryweather High School in silence. Her transition from middle school to high school is complicated by a misunderstanding which sends shockwaves throughout her existence. Gradually, readers become aware that Melinda is spiraling out of control as she becomes mute and loses interest in herself, her family, and school. Abandoned by her friends, she yearns to confide.....

I need one more! Will update later!

SUMMER READING - JUNIOR HONORS CLASS

Hi Drama Tweens! 

Here's our pick for Summer reading!
Enjoy  !

The Awakening by Kate Chopin: The Awakening tells the story of Edna Pontellier who is vacationing with her husband, Léonce, and their two sons. Léonce is kind and loving but preoccupied with his work. His frequent business-related absences mar his domestic life with Edna. Consequently, Edna spends most of her time with her friend Adèle Ratignolle, a married Creole who epitomizes womanly elegance and charm. Through her relationship with Adèle, Edna learns a great deal about freedom of expression. Exposure to such openness liberates Edna from her previously prudish behavior and repressed emotions and desires.

 

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway: Lieutenant Frederic Henry is a young American ambulance driver serving in the Italian army during World War I. At the beginning of the novel, the war is winding down with the onset of winter, and Henry arranges to tour Italy. The following spring, upon his return to the front, Henry meets Catherine Barkley, an English nurse’s aide at the nearby British hospital and the love interest of his friend Rinaldi. Rinaldi, however, quickly fades from the picture as Catherine and Henry become involved in an elaborate game of seduction. Grieving the recent death of her fiancé, Catherine longs for love so deeply that she will settle for the illusion of it. Her passion, even though pretended, wakens a desire for emotional interaction in Henry, whom the war has left coolly detached and numb.

The Joy Luck Club:The Joy Luck Club contains sixteen interwoven stories about conflicts between Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-raised daughters. The book hinges on Jing-mei’s trip to China to meet her half-sisters, twins Chwun Yu and Chwun Hwa. The half-sisters remained behind in China because Jing-mei’s mother, Suyuan, was forced to leave them on the roadside during her desperate flight from Japan’s invasion of Kweilin during World War II. Jing-mei was born to a different father years later, in America. Suyuan intended to return to China for her other daughters but failed to find them before her death.

My Antonia by Willa Cather: An orphaned ten-year-old, Jim Burden, is sent to live with his grandparents on their farm in the country, just outside the town of Black Hawk, Nebraska. He is not the only one to discover and explore the country; early on, he meets the immigrant Bohemian family, the Shimerdas, who have come to Nebraska at the same time as Jim's arrival. They are the Burdens' nearest neighbors. Antonia Shimerda, the elder daughter, becomes his good friend and pupil. Antonia's father, Mr. Shimerda, who Jim finds to be intelligent and genteel, asks Jim to teach Antonia English. The Shimerdas have a hard life on the farm; they are very poor and live in a shabby dugout, but Antonia remains dedicated and determined to improve the conditions of her life and her family's.