July, August, and September 2008
(Updated May 29, 2008)

C-Note Instant Poll Questions

July, 2008: Excellence
Q: How would you characterize the obligation you feel to excel academically?
a. Heavy outside pressure, mostly from adults
b. Heavy outside pressure, mostly from peers
c. Outsiders’ expectations are high all around, but balanced by the freedom to relax
d. Expectations are largely internal, based on my own achievement standards
e. Expectations have little or no effect on me

August, 2008: Happiness
Q: What brings you the most happiness?
a. Family
b. Friends
c. Religion
d. Money
e. School

September, 2008: Stress
Q: What causes you the most stress?
a. Family
b. Friends
c. School
d. Money
e. Events in the news

5-Spot (Elementary School) Stories

Honest Abe, Honest Alysha
Coins are more than a way to pay for things. They're like books--and Alysha tells you why.

A Bill You'd Love to Get
Jacob tells you about new bills that are either here or coming soon. He says, 'The new $100 is like American Idol!'

Everyday’s a Work Day in Vietnam
Thao Ly, who stopped going to school when she was four, sells books in Vietnam. Find out why she says tourists are the “best customers.”

AJ's (Middle School) Stories

New Dollar Bills: More Than a Fashion Statement
Connor says that the colored threads in the new $5 and $100 bill designs are 'more than just fashion statements. They help prevent counterfeiting.'

A Penny for Kayla's Thoughts
Did you know that one of the oldest coins we have is an Indian cent (also known as a penny)? “There are lots of reasons American Indians deserve to be honored with brand-new coins,” says Kayla, age 12.

Size Doesn’t Matter
Singapore’s young sports fans are raving about the very first Youth Olympic Games, which will be hosted by this tiny country in 2010. Isabelle Li, a 14-year-old table-tennis player, says “the pressure is on!”

C-Note (High School) Stories

Get Used to it: Life on the High Seas of Malaysia
Dharma says he has 'a stomach of steel.' Learn how this 15-year-old earns his living 'selling fish and ferrying tourists out to sea.'

Make the Most out of Your First Year
"Be friends with your roommate," says Austin. He and seven other college students give you the real perspective on college life.

Dedication and Focus
"With all the benefits karate provides, it’s surprising more people aren’t involved," says Whitney. Read about her adventures in karate and how she has learned a lot more than how to break a board and defend herself.

5-Spot (Elementary School) Games

Shredded Lettuce
5-Spot game show host Hugh Googol stepped a little too close to his paper shredder and his wallet is a mess! Can you help him identify these super-shredded bills?

Lemonade Mega-Stand
Start your own lemonade mega-stand! Buy ingredients, make recipes, and serve customers. You have 15 “days” to earn as much money as possible. It may sound easy, but there’s more to lemonade than sugar, water and lemons!

Jack O’Psychic
Mad Doctor Xelplogoog has a new invention—A mind reading, self-carving Jack O’Lantern! Think of a number, perform some simple math and the pumpkin will read your mind...every time.

AJ's (Middle School) Games

Commander In Checkers
Become one of our nation’s great presidents, then challenge another great president to a checkers grudge match. Who will be the winning Commander in Checkers? Make your move and find out!

Lemonade Czar
Only you know the secret recipe for Lemon Bull, and only you have the know-how to sell it for a profit…or will unexpected challenges like ants and rotten fruit close you down? The lemonade biz isn’t easy!

Slime Bucket
You’re off to the lake for some late-summer fishing. But before dropping a line, you need to dig for bait. Can you fill your slime bucket with 11 creepy crawlers …before your friend Nathan does?

C-Note (High School) Games

Catch Phrases
Your grandparents didn’t understand your parents. Your parents don’t understand you. You don’t understand your little brother. What is heck is everyone talking about? Visit five generations of pop culture words and phrases, and try to catch the meaning of these once-popular phrases.

Lemonade Eliminator
What's the latest "must have" autumn beverage? Citric Power Bomb? Yellow Bull? Lemon Latte? Know what’s hot and sell it for a profit, before the massive Globo-Lemon conglomerate puts you out of business!

Chaos
Start with a completed crossword puzzle. Shake the board and mix-up the clues. You’ve got CHAOS. Can you reconstruct this crossword calamity?