(Describer) In computer animation, different news scenes in rectangles move fast around a turning globe.

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(Describer) In front of a blue background with a triangle and circle, title: Teen Kids News. A girl sits at a desk with monitors behind her.

Welcome to "Teen Kids News." I'm Veronique. Let's begin with this week's top story.

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(Describer) The Teen Kids News logo is on curved screens that form a turning cylinder. Passing around it, title: Top Story.

Not all of us will apply to college, but for those who do, here's good news. As Amelia reports, the earlier you prepare, the better your chances. When do you think students should prepare for college?

(Describer) Outside...

I believe early on-- ninth, tenth grade--is best 'cause you already started taking your PSATs, the preparation for SATs, starting in 11th grade. And if you start during 11th grade, it's hectic. Probably, like, when you first get to high school. Once you start high school, you should start preparing for college, because you have-- your grades will count, and colleges will look at grades from ninth to senior year. You might be surprised that many experts recommend starting far earlier. We turn to Jason Ma. Families hire him as a college prep coach, and he's the CEO of ThreeEQ. Hi. Hi, thanks for inviting me. You like to quote UCLA coach John Wooden, that "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail." Well, I think when you look at successful people, the first thing I would figure out is how did they prepare to become successful? Most of the work is in preparation. At what age should kids prepare for college? The--I had a conversation with the Dean of UC San Diego-- admissions dean, Mae Brown. She said, "Start preparing in sixth grade." Now where she's coming from is to build strong study habits, build good reading habits, is really shaping your skills in ways that will be easier for you in high school. It's not necessarily preparing for college, but is building a stronger foundation. That's pretty young. Besides building that foundation, what else can a sixth grader do to prepare? When I-- when I coach my own students, I emphasis quite a bit on shaping their skills, their mindset, and teaching them some tricks of the trade on how to become successful academically and non-academically in high school. To me, in middle school, in sixth, seventh grade, or eighth grade, is really pre-high school. So very importantly, is really shaping good habits. So, for example, if you're so distracted in spending so much time, many hours per day, playing World of Warcraft, or games, those are not good habits. That's not a good way to spend time. So to shape and replace some bad habits with better ones, like reading fiction and nonfiction, really spending time on doing homework, getting things done, maybe even doing some house chores. Those are a good mindset to build. How about extracurricular activities? Are they important at that age? It's important, but I would not stress over it. I think it would be important to start building the habit of the importance of doing extracurriculars. The purpose of doing extracurriculars is not really to do extracurriculars. The purpose is get into the habit of giving, of contributing, of growing along with your teammates, of being a good student. Of really having the heart and the brain to contribute and to grow and to connect and to engage. Those are essential skills to have. There are people who say that increasing pressure on kids, especially by starting early, is counterproductive. What do you think about that? I disagree. One key to success in life is to try, in most cases, not all, is to start early with a purpose. Understand why that's important to you. Get some coachings. They're important. Get high-quality guidance from your parents, if they are smart in ways, but not everything, work with advisers or mentors at school or somewhere else-- it's self-learning. I mean, you can Google so many things today, and just read a lot, watch useful videos and audios. So to show some initiative-- it's part of your skill set you want to build early is to learn to become a strong learner so you can keep learning and improving and keep on giving in smart ways. What about families that can't afford a prep coach like you? What can they do? That's one reason I spent, gosh, 2000 hours of team time putting together my own book called "Young Leaders 3.0-- Stories, Insights, and Tips for Next Generation Achievers." The idea there is to impart part of my teachings, in terms of mentoring and storytelling. That's one almost-free resource. I think, like, big picture, College Board. There's a bunch of sites you could study yourself. And talk to people. Be intellectually curious. Be holistically curious. Just learn from all sorts of methods out there. A lot of it's really complementary. Thanks. You've given us a lot to think about. Thank you for inviting me. It's fun. A new parent asked a famous educator when to start her baby's education. The educator replied, "Rush home now. You haven't a moment to lose." He was joking, but the message is clear. If you want a top college, it's never too early. For "Teen Kids News," I'm Amelia.

(Describer) At a desk...

Relaxing--how it can help you Make the Grade, when "Teen Kids News" continues.

(Describer) Veronique:

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with schoolwork? Christin's here to help with Make the Grade. Being a good student takes a lot of work. You have to research, read, study, take notes, analyze, review, write, edit, relax. Yes, I said relax. Academic experts say students will do a better job at studying if they take breaks. Here's one way. Sit quietly in a comfortable position. Close your eyes.

(Describer) She demonstrates.

Slowly breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Relax your feet, your legs, your hands, your arms, and your neck, and even your face. Feel the tension draining away. Imagine you're at some favorite peaceful place. Just be there for say, four or five minutes. When you open your eyes, continue to sit quietly, and continue your slow, measured breathing for a bit longer. There, I'm certainly feeling better. A short break will recharge your mental batteries. I'm Christin, here to help you Make the Grade.

(Describer) Veronique:

As you'll see, a state flag can say a lot. Here's Flag Facts.

(Describer) Different flags flash by, with various colors and seals. A couple dozen are shown together, then appear in the word “flag”. Title: Flag Facts. It’s on a flag.

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(boy) In September, 1783, American colonists and members of British Parliament signed the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War. Part of that treaty granted a parcel of land to the United States known as the Northwest Territory. That territory would become Ohio. In 1803, Ohio was admitted as our 17th state, but it existed without a flag for almost 100 years, until an architect named John Eisenmann came up with a most unusual design.

(Describer) Randy Howe:

The Ohio flag is the only state flag of the 50 that is not a rectangle, but a swallowtail, usually seen on a boat. It's a pennant that comes to two points. And they chose that to be distinct. They wanted Ohio to look different from other flags, and they achieved that. They chose the red, white, and blue of the American flag, like several states. But they also achieved simplicity by putting the letter O in the canton of the flag. The letter O has two meanings in Ohio-- it's "O" for Ohio, but also, it's the Buckeye State.

(Eric) Buckeyes are round nuts found in Ohio that Native Americans thought resembled a male deer eye, a buck. Thirteen stars are clustered around the O, representing the original thirteen states. Four more stars stand beside them, representing the next four states admitted to our nation, including Ohio. The red and white stripes symbolize roads and waterways, which helped establish Ohio as a center of American interstate commerce. For Flag Facts, I'm Eric.

(Describer) A courthouse with tall columns is shown. A cartoon judge in a white wig waves a gavel. On the cover of a book, title: Weird, Wild Wacky Laws. Emily:

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Here's a law designed to make Bugs Bunny happy. In Kansas, it's illegal to shoot rabbits from a boat. Not exactly sure why they have that law, since I don't think rabbits swim. But if you "hare" of any that do, tell them that they're safe in Kansas, at least from shooters in boats. A special athlete giving back to the community in a special way. Our HooplaHa Pick of the Week is next.

(Describer) Daniella:

Sometimes, kids with special needs may think goals are beyond their reach, like making it onto a college varsity team. But as we'll see, for one college athlete, overcoming challenges was a slam dunk. Here's another great video from our friends at HooplaHa.

(Describer) A tall man talks to kids on a basketball court.

Throw it up in the air as many times as you can. My name is Anthony Ianni, a motivational speaker for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The camp we're at today is Kids on the Go, a nonprofit organization out of Detroit. For the last three weeks, I've had the privilege to coach some kids with autism and maybe a different learning disability, teach them the basics of basketball and just have fun and show them that if you have dreams and goals, go achieve them. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do things. Don't let obstacles keep you from your dreams. I was diagnosed when I was four in 1993. And when I was five, a group of doctors and professionals told my parents that because I have autism, I would never be successful or achieve anything. I ended up graduating from high school in 2007, went to Grand Valley State University for two years on a scholarship for basketball. I decided it was time to live my dream to play for Coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State University. Not only did I graduate and get my degree, but I became the first Division One college basketball player diagnosed with autism in NCAA history.

(Describer) Kristy Piana Schena:

Anthony really is inspiring to so many. His story is inspiring to us adults, to us parents, to the parents in the program, and to the children in the camp. They literally look up to him. He's made an impact. Kids on the Go is important to Ethan.

(Describer) Parent Chris Grabowski:

It was able to take him from a child diagnosed at two, and now he's a very high-functioning child. He heard about this basketball camp, that he'd learn from somebody that played in college and somebody that's experienced the same issues. He really enjoyed it. He's like, "I want to learn to play basketball. If this guy can teach me basketball, I want to try."

(Describer) Anthony:

Don't be afraid to say, "I can do this, I can do that, "and you're not going to tell me I can't. "I set my life, I live my dreams. You don't, I do."

(Describer) With the kids...

(all) One, two, three, Kids on the Go! We'll have more stories from our friends at HooplaHa soon. For "Teen Kids News," I'm Daniella.

(Describer) Henry:

When it comes to healthy eating, your plate can be your guide. One quarter of the plate should be protein. Chicken, pork, or fish are best. Red meat is okay, just not too often. And lean towards lean, meaning meat that has very little fat. Another quarter of the plate is for whole grains. These can be brown rice, wild rice, whole quinoa, or whole grain pasta. There are dozens of whole grain foods to choose from. With the remaining half, pile on the veggies or add in some fruit. A healthy meal is one of the best ways to make a healthier you.

(Describer) Veronique:

A message from the National Road Safety Foundation. Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on driving.

(Describer) In a minivan...

(girl) Abby, I'm so glad you came ice skating.

(Describer) Abby drives.

I've never been ice skating. I'm gonna fall like an idiot.

(Describer) 3154 people killed every year in vehicle crashes due to distracted driving.

(all) You'll be fine. Hey, guys, should we invite Paige?

[all suggesting names]

(Describer) 424-thousand injured each year.

I need gloves. I'll text Manny.

(Describer) Ten percent of drivers under 20 in fatal crashes are from distracted driving. Abby texts.

(girl) Abby, I'm so glad you came ice skating.

Abby, watch out! [tires squealing]

(Describer) They head toward another car.

(Describer) Don’t be just another number. Don’t text and drive.

[siren wailing]

♪

(Describer) A viewer email says, “I look forward to watching the show every week.” Signed Tim.

(Describer) Titles: Teen Kids News. Coming up, Monster Trucks! Three trucks jump through the air.

(Describer) Spinning with the triangle and circle, title: Teen Kids News.

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(boy) This report is brought to you by Paramount Pictures.

(reporter) Local residents have reported numerous sightings of an unidentified creature.

(Describer) In a movie trailer...

We're looking for something unusual, dangerous.

(boy) "Monster Trucks" is more than barrels of fun, it's a hilarious and action-packed ride that's now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

What are you? [belching]

(Describer) A monster belches.

(boy) Meet Creech, a lovable monster with a taste for speed and gas.

(Describer) He yanks a gas nozzle.

There's something going on here. I don't know how to explain. Look.

He likes hiding in my truck. [screams]

(Describer) He peeks out through the grill and a girl screams, falling back.

But as Tripp, played by Lucas Till, finds out, Creech is much more than a gas-guzzling monster.

(Tripp) This thing is awesome, and it's smart.

(Describer) It holds a screwdriver.

It is an engine from my truck, right, Creech?

(Describer) It makes the truck hop.

[Creech laughs]

(boy) Wonder how the filmmakers got a truck to jump? They used hydraulics, the technology of compressing and releasing fluid to make the vehicle rock and roll.

(Describer) Special Effects Supervisor J.D. Schwalm:

To make the truck look like the creature is inside of it and alive, we put in a hydraulic system powered by car batteries.

(Describer) Till sits in the truck.

It runs an electric motor, drives a hydraulic pump. The pump squishes the hydraulic fluid into a tank at high pressure, then we move our joysticks and the fluid's diverted from the tanks to cylinders on all four corners, making the truck move how we want.

(Describer) Schwalm moves the truck with the controller.

We got forward, backward, side-side,

(Describer) Till leans out of the driver’s window.

One of the things we needed the truck to do was get angry at Till and spit him out. So we can take the truck, lean it over, and shake it around like we're going to knock Till out.

(Describer) It shakes.

(Describer) In the movie, the truck jumps over a log.

Whoa! You see that? Show off!

(Describer) He’s dumped out of the truck and Creech peeks out.

[grunts]

(boy) But that's not all. To make the truck look like Creech is driving takes two special-effects operators with remote controls. Sean's over there doing the gas, brakes, and steering.

(Describer) Schwalm:

And I'm here doing the leaning, tilting, breathing, all that type of action. Notice, even the steering wheel is remote controlled. It's connected to the wheel, so you see it spin around.

(Describer) With no one inside the truck, they drive it out of the garage.

(Describer) In the trailer...

(Tripp) The monster is in the truck!

(Describer) From inside, Creech pulls the truck onto a building roof.

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Whoa! Did you see that?

(Describer) It jumps to another building.

(boy) And you'll want to see the behind-the-scenes extras in the Blu-ray combo pack.

Let's go! (boy) Now we can all "Go!" get the "Monster Trucks" Blu-ray combo pack. For "Teen Kids News," I'm Luke.

(Describer) In slow-motion, the truck rolls high in the air over another truck.

If you're happy and you know it, maybe don't clap your hands.

(Describer) William:

Researchers say happy people talk more than unhappy people. And their conversations are different. Instead of small talk, people who are happy tend to engage in meaningful conversations. Next time someone says, "Nice day," tell 'em to cheer up.

(Describer) Titles: Teen Kids News. Coming up, Happy dogs? A dog wags its tail, and so does another dog. A third walks around with its tail down.

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(Describer) Veronique:

They say dogs are our best friends. But sometimes we mistakenly think a dog is friendly when it's really not. Eden tells us more. You're walking and you come across a dog. It's wagging its tail, so you think he's happy. But when you pet him, he suddenly turns mean. What happened? To find out, we have Robin Bennett and Susan Briggs, the Dog Gurus. They're the authors of the book "Off-Leash Dog Play." Welcome. Thanks, happy to be here. Great to be here. So Susan, we can't assume a wagging tail is good, can we? No. We love our dogs. They communicate a lot to us. And the tail is an important part. But just because it's wagging doesn't mean you approach. Do you have to worry about speed or where their tail is? Yes, look at the position of the tail, high or low, and look at how fast that wag is. Robin, can you give us some specific examples? Sure, let's say you pet a dog and he turns mean. The tail may have been wagging, but protectively. The wag might have been over his back--high. That's a sign the dog is protecting something. Maybe the dog's afraid of something, and he's hiding. Those tail wags will be really low, tucked under the body, but wagging. But that's a dog I wouldn't pet. Susan, besides the tail, are there other signs to look for? We recommend looking at the other end, the mouth. A dog that's safe to approach generally has an open mouth. A closed mouth means a dog is becoming uncomfortable. Also look at their body. Are their muscles relaxed, kind of curved and loose? A dog you wouldn't want to approach would be stiff. Those dogs are uncomfortable, and it's not safe. Bottom line-- if you don't know the dog, don't approach unless his owner says it's okay. Yes, first ask the owner. If he says yes, check in with the dog's body language. Is the mouth open? Is the body posture relaxed? Really, we would say three steps-- One, ask the owner. Two, ask the dog. Three, pet the dog if both say it's okay. I certainly learned a lot. Thank you very much. You're welcome. It was great. If you hear a wagging tail means a friendly dog, you can say that's an old wives' tale. You learned that here on "Teen Kids News."

(Describer) Veronique:

That's our show. We'll have more "Teen Kids News" next week, so make sure you tune in.

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(Describer) Titles: Director: Alan J. Weiss. Producers: Tania Wilk, Marilou Yacoub. Senior Editors: Rick Lavon, David Lauterbach. Original Theme Music: Michael Karp. Additional Music: Beach Street Music. Additional Footage and Stills: HooplaHa.com, Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit TeenLane.org. Created by Executive Producers: Albert T. Primo, Alan J. Weiss. Copyright Eyewitness Kids News LLC, 2017, all rights reserved. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Funding to purchase and make this educational program accessible was provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Department of Education by telephone at 1-800-USA-LEARN, or online at www.ed.gov.

Funding to purchase and make this educational production accessible was provided by the U.S. Department of Education:

PH: 1-800-USA-LEARN (V) or WEB: www.ed.gov.

(girl) Write to us at info@teenkidsnews.com.

(Describer) Alan Weiss Productions