Activities and Questions based on the Sept. 22, 2023 – Sept. 28, 2023 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.4.1) Conduct research on a topical issue to answer a question and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Read the article on page A-2 about the proposed fee for electric vehicles. Then, write an essay of 500 words or more about the development of the electric car. Include, at a minimum, the following information: when the first prototype EV was developed, what problems the developers encountered, how they solved these issues, and the future of electric vehicles. Use at least two sources for your information. List the name and the publication date of the source, who wrote it, and the URL of the article if it’s on the internet.
Composition activity for High School: (ELA.9.C.1.2) Write narratives using narrative techniques, varied transitions, and a clearly established point of view.
Read the article on page A-6 about the student delegates to the school board. Write an essay of at least 500 words or more summarizing each delegate’s platform. Then, describe what your platform would look like if you were a student delegate. Describe in detail how you would accomplish your goals
Vocabulary activity for Middle School: (ELA.7.V.1.1) Integrate academic vocabulary appropriate to grade level in speaking and writing.
Read the article on page A-1 about retrieving the lost mermaid statue. 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 350 words using at least five of the words below. Extra points if you use more than five.
- assess
- serendipity
- retrieve
- squall
- buffet There are multiple definitions of this word. Be sure you use the correct one.
- excursion
- thrust
- surge
- dub There are multiple definitions for this word. Be sure you use the correct one.
- minimal
Science Activity for Middle School: (SC.8.E.5.9) Explain the impact of objects in space on each other regarding: the Moon on the Earth, including phases, tides, and eclipses, and the relative position of each body.
Read the article on page B-3 about the moon. Then, answer the following questions in the form of an essay. You will need to use sources outside of the article. Make sure to cite your sources with the name of the article, where you found it, and the date of the article. If you found the article on the internet, write down the URL. Your essay should be at least 400 words:
- How far is the moon from the Earth at its closest point?
- How large is the moon compared to the Earth? Give the actual size of each, and then compare the size using fractions or percentages. For example, you can say the moon is ½ the size of the earth, or you could say the moon is 50% smaller than the Earth. (This is just an example, not the actual figure.)
- How does the moon affect the Earth’s tides?
- What is the difference between an eclipse of the moon and an eclipse of the sun?
- What are the phases of the moon, and what causes these different phases?
Comprehension Activity for Elementary School: (ELA.4.R.3.2) Summarize a text to enhance comprehension. Include the central idea and relevant details for an informational text.
Read the article on page B-5 about the pumpkin patch. In one or two sentences, relate the central idea or topic of the article. Then, summarize the article in your own words. Your summary should be at least 300 words and should include at least four important points brought up in the article.
Composition Activity for Elementary School: (ELA.2.C.1.2) Write personal or fictional narratives using a logical sequence of events, transitions, and an ending.
Read the article on page B-12 entitled “Take a Child Outside Week.” Then, write an essay or a fictional story about a particular outside activity you like to do with your parents, grandparents, or older brother/sister. Include what the activity is, when, and where it takes place. End your essay or story by stating why you enjoy this particular activity. For example, if you like to go fishing, tell where you usually go, who you go with, if you go to a dock or in a boat, what kind of bait you use, and why you enjoy fishing. Your story should be at least 300 words.
Teachers and parents wishing to submit any of your students’ compositions to the newspaper for publication, please email [email protected]. Be sure to include the student’s name, age, grade level, and school.