Activities and Questions based on the Jan. 12- 18, 2024 issue
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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.
Science activity for High School: (SC.912.E.5.7) Relate the history of and explain the justification for future space exploration and continuing technology development.
Read the article on page A-1 and A-5 about the recent space launch. Write a 400-word essay on the development of space flight from 2019 – 2024 in regard to private companies that are now working with NASA in this endeavor. Expand on the paragraph under the heading “A Technological First” and explain why this launch is a technological first.
Critical thinking activity for High School: (ELA.9.C.4.1) Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on multiple reliable and valid sources, and refining the scope of the question to align with findings.
Read the article on page A-7 entitled “State Eases Jewish Student Transfers.” Write a 400-word essay on the issue of anti-Semitism in the United States today and why it’s important to fight this prejudice.
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 page A-1 about the space launch. Define the following words or phrases 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 300 words using at least five of the words below. Extra points if you use more than five.
1. in conjunction with
2. payload
3. cosmos
4. bevy
5. repository
underscore (the word in the article is “underscoring”)
garner (the word in the article is “garnered”)
milestone
quip (the word in the article is “quipped”)
flawless ((the word in the article is “flawlessly”)
More ideas:
Write a sentence using a different form of the word than the one in the article. For example, if the word is an adjective like “rosy,” change it to a noun – “rose” and then use that word in an original sentence.
Write one to three paragraphs (or more) using this week’s vocabulary words or a form of the word. You can use as many or as few of the words as you like; however, your paragraphs must make sense. In other words, don’t just write sentences that don’t go together to discuss a topic or create a story.
Social Studies activity for Middle School: (SS.6.W.1.6) Describe how history transmits culture and heritage and provides models of human character.
Read the article on pg. B-1 & B-9 about the Kwanzaa celebration. Write a 350-word essay explaining how Kwanzaa came about and how it reflects the culture of Africa and the Caribbean countries. Tell how the principles of Kwanzaa can apply to all people, not just African Americans.
Comprehension activity for Elementary School: (ELA.2.R.3.2) Retell a text to enhance comprehension. Use the central idea and relevant details in your summary.
Read the article on the Betty White challenge on pages B-1 and B-3. Summarize the article in 300 words or more. Make sure you tell the central idea of the text and at least four facts that expand on this topic.
Composition activity for Elementary School: (ELA.3.C.1.4) Write expository texts about a topic, using one or more sources, providing an introduction, facts and details, some elaboration, transitions, and a conclusion.
Read the article on page B-9 about the library programs. Write an essay of at least 300 words on any of these subjects relating to libraries: 1) The history of libraries in the United States from 1890 through 1990; 2) What you like best about the library and why and what sort of materials you like to check out and why – the types of books you like, videos, etc.; 3) If you participate in programs at the public library, what types of programs do you participate in and why do you like those programs.
Teachers wishing to submit student compositions to the newspaper for publication, please email to [email protected]. Be sure and include your name, age, grade level and school that you attend.