Get the conversation started to forge new friendships

You can be surrounded by hundreds of kids on the first day of school and still feel alone, especially if you are the "new kid" in the classroom.

Making new friends may seem impossible, but arming yourself with some creative ammunition can help you get through the first few scary days of the new school year. Make a commitment to speak to at least one new person each day.

Given an opportunity, people love to talk about themselves. Asking a question and staging it along with a compliment should get a conversation going.

For example: "I like your shoes (blouse, bracelet, etc.). Where did you find them?" can start conversation. Or try asking about special interests such as sports and clubs.

If you ride a bus to school, pay attention to the kids who get off at stops near yours. Not only are they potential school chums, but they are also your neighbors — another avenue for starting a friendship.

Join after-school activities, such as science or literary clubs. You'll have an immediate topic of conversation based on an activity you both find interesting. Remember, the person you speak to may be shy, too.

Making a magnetic CD photo frame to hang in your locker is another way to let people know that you are an interesting person who has friends and special interests.

I found directions for this craft at Better Homes and Gardens on the Web at www.bhg.com/crafts/kids. Type "rainy day projects" in the site search bar, and you will find lots of back-to-school projects.

CD photo frame

Supplies:

• 3 old CDs

• 2-inch-wide ribbon, about 24 inches long

• Photos of friends, pets or family

• Glue

• Decorative-edged scissors

• Patterned paper

• Refrigerator magnet (available at most craft stores)

Cut a refrigerator magnet into three or four pieces. Glue one to the underside of the end of the ribbon. Fold ¼-inch of the ribbon over to the back and glue to secure.

Cut circles of decorative, patterned paper. Position your photos over the circles and glue, then glue the circles and photos to the shiny side of the CDs.

Glue the CD to the ribbon. Glue a magnet onto the back of the ribbon at the place where the CDs are positioned to help hold the ribbon on the metal locker surface.

Add other embellishments if you would like.