Newspapers in Education
Activities and Questions based on the Feb. 9, 2024 – Feb. 15, 2024 issue
Teachers, homeschool parents and students, if you have any suggestions or ideas for these teacher guides, please email Sarah Nachin – [email protected] This guide is based on the newest Florida Standards for grade school through high school.
- Critical Thinking activity for High School: (ELA.12.C.1.3) Write arguments to support claims based on an in-depth analysis of topics or texts using valid reasoning and credible evidence from sources, elaboration, and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject.
Read the article on pages A-2 about the ban on “fake” meat products. Do research on the origin and use of “lab-grown” meat and some of the ramifications. Then, write an essay of at least 450 words on the pros and cons of “lab-grown” meat. Cite reasons for each viewpoint. - Composition activity for High School: (ELA.12.C.4.1) Conduct research on a topical issue to answer a question and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Read the article on pg. A-2 about the border issue. Then, write an essay of at least 400 words on any of the following issues (cite at least two sources for your information):
How the problem at the Mexican border is different from issues concerning immigration during the early to mid-20th Century; 2) Why more people than ever are fleeing to the U.S. from Mexico and other Latin American countries; 3) How crime and illegal immigration are related; 4) Some solutions to the border problem - Vocabulary activity for Middle School: (ELA.6.V.1.3) Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the meaning of multiple-meaning and unknown words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.
Read the article on pg. A-1 and A-3 about the moon landing. Define the following words as they are used in the article by using the context of the word, if possible. Also write down what part of speech each word is. Then write a story or non-fiction essay of at least 250 words using at least five of the words below. Extra points if you use more than five.
defy (the word in the article is “defying”)
anticipate
payload
peregrine
facilitate
scuttle (the word in the article is “scuttled”)
autonomous
propellant
node
deploy - Extra Credit Assignment: Use a different form of each of the words in one or more sentences and tell what part of speech the new word is. For example, if the word in the article is “haunted” you could change it to “haunt” and use that word in a sentence.
- Visual Arts activity for Upper Middle School: (VA.68.H.1) Through study in the arts, we learn about and honor others and the worlds in which they live.
Read the article on pg. B-1 and B-3 entitled “Sacred Arts Tour” Then write an essay of at least 350 words on any of the following topics: 1) The origin and meaning of the “mandala”; 2) The life of a Tibetan Buddhist Monk; 3) The various Arts of Tibet and India. - Science activity for Elementary School: (SC.3.E.6) Humans continue to explore the composition and structure of the surface of the Earth. External sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth’s water and natural resources.
Read the article on pg. B-4 about Academia Hernando. Then, write an essay of at least 250 words about any one of these topics. You may use the information in the article, but you must also consult at least one outside source and write down where you found the information. Here are the topics: 1) The importance of the coastal areas of Florida; 2) The importance of the inland areas of Florida; 3) The importance of lakes, springs and other freshwater bodies in Florida. - Extra Credit Assignment: Write an essay of at least 200 words describing where you live. Do you live on the Gulf, a lake or other freshwater body, or do you live inland (away from bodies of water)?
- Comprehension activity for Elementary School: (ELA.1.R.2.2) Identify the topic of and relevant details in a text. Identify the central idea and explain how relevant details support that idea in a text.
Read the article on pg. B-1 entitled “William C. Yontz and his Roses.” Name the topic (main idea) of the article and list at least four sentences that support that main idea.Anyone wishing to submit any of your compositions from this week to the newspaper for us to consider publishing, please email [email protected]. Be sure and include your student’s name and grade level.