For this assignment, explore the websites below. As an alternative, you may do a search for other relevant websites that address these topics. Be sure to note which websites you used.

(Review the Internet Primer section of this OLC for some tips on how to judge the quality or reliability of information on any website.)

The following links provide information on improving reading comprehension:

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/4/80.04.06.x.html
Motivational Techniques for Improving Reading Comprehension Among Innercity High School Students

http://www.marin.cc.ca.us/~don/Study/7read.html
How to Improve Reading Comprehension

The following links relate to the topics addresses in the reading selections in this section:

http://www.brothermalcolm.net/
Malcolm X: A Research Site
This web page is designed to be a resource for scholarship in Black Studies and the political development of activists in the Black Liberation Movement.

http://www.animatedsoftware.com/complain/complain.htm
Examples in the Art of Complaining
At some time in our lives, we all would like to complain about something. Russell D. Hoffman has had hundreds of To the Editor letters published, and he has effectively lobbied the state for a number of minor and major causes. Also, he has written numerous letters to companies he felt have given poor service or sold shoddy stuff. Selected highlights from this "career" are included here.

http://www.innerself.com/Reflections/complaining.htm
Complaining!!!
Complain? Don't we all? Of course we do, yet do we know how to complain properly? Is there such a thing as complaining properly? Isn't complaining just a "negative" thing? Or is it a necessary way of venting our frustrations? This webpage addresses these, and other issues, related to complaining.

http://www.bendover.com/complain.asp
Six Steps to Successful Complaining
This webpage outlines six steps to successful complaining that every consumer can benefit from when they think they've been wronged by a company of any size.

http://www.counsel.ufl.edu/brochure.asp?include=brochures/test_anxiety.brochure
Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is an issue that many students face at one time or another. It is important to learn to recognize test anxiety and learn how to deal with the anxiety more effectively. Anxiety is a normal human feeling that is part of life and often serves as a form of adrenaline (e.g., butterflies before making a speech or performing on stage). The anxiety can help by providing alertness and readiness, however, excessive anxiety can result in stress and hinder one's performance. This webpage discusses Test Anxiety, and ways to deal with it.

http://www.powerprep.com/satimpro.htm
Improving your Score
Tips for improving SAT scores, and goals to strive for regarding specific scores.

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,45-23816,00.html
Guidelines for Family Television Viewing
Children in the U.S. view an average of 3-5 hours of television daily. It is difficult to document effects of such extensive television exposure on children. However, research indicates that television viewing may be linked to violent or aggressive behavior, obesity, poor academic performance, precocious sexuality, and the use of drugs or alcohol. Thus it is important that parents help their children use television as a positive, creative force, and help them avoid television's negative influences. This webpage suggests some strategies.

http://www.ithaca.edu/cretv/research/tv_lives.html
Television in the Lives of Children
This website offers information on how television viewing affects children.

http://www.terry.uga.edu/~dawndba/4500Circuit.html
"The Circuit", by Francisco Jimenez
This is another story from the anthology in which "The Scholarship Jacket" appears.

http://www.usdreams.com/Carson.html
Dr. Ben Carson
Dr. Ben Carson has dedicated his life to inspiring others to excel by using their God-given talents. He was born in Detroit, Michigan where his childhood journey was filled with poverty. He struggled with poor grades and a violent temper. After his mother, who only had a third-grade education, challenged him to strive for excellence, Ben rose from the bottom to the top of his class. His achievements earned him academic scholarships to college and medical school.

http://www.job-interview.net/
Job Interview.Net
This website offers many links to resources for successful job interviews.

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr128.shtml
Egg Babies, Sugar Babies, Flour Babies...Can They Keep Teens from Having REAL Babies?
U.S. teenagers have one of the highest pregnancy rates in the developed world. Is there something schools can do to reduce that statistic? Each year, many teachers introduce their students to "egg babies"! Egg baby (or sugar baby or flour baby) programs are easy to administer and can provide students with a lasting and powerful lesson about the responsibilities of parenthood. This article in Education World explores the facts and the benefits of "egg baby" lessons!

http://www.petfinder.com
Petfinder
This site provides a database of animals in need of good homes all around the U.S.

http://www.hsus.org
The Human Society
The Humane Society promotes protection of all animals.

Option:
As an alternative, you may do a search for other relevant websites that address these topics. If you choose this option, be sure to note which websites you used by answering the following questions:

1			What is the URL or address for this site?
2			Who created the site? (This may be an individual, an organization, or an institution. For some websites, it's difficult to determine who is responsible for the content. If that is the case for the website you looked at, indicate that here.)

Describe the website.

3			What do you think is the main purpose of this site?
4			Is this site effective, in your opinion?
5			If so, what elements does it have that make it a good site? If not, what elements would you recommend to make it better?

React to the content of the website.

6			Why did you choose this site to explore?
7			Did you obtain the information you expected to find?
8			What questions do you have about any aspect of the site?
9			What is the most valuable part of this website?
10			How will this information affect your life?
11			How does this information support the readings in your textbook?
12			Add any other comments you would like to share. For example, would you recommend this site to your classmates or friends? Did you experience frustration with any aspect of this assignment?