1. CHIRPS IN SPACE

Scientists found space waves that sound like birds chirping, coming from a place far away from Earth where they didn’t expect them. These waves, called chorus waves, are bursts of plasma that can be turned into sounds humans can hear. They were detected over 62,000 miles away, much farther than ever before. NASA’s satellites, which study Earth’s magnetic field, picked up the chirping waves. Scientists think these waves might have something to do with Earth’s magnetic field, but they’re not sure yet. Chorus waves are powerful and can even mess with satellites. These waves have been found near other planets like Jupiter and Saturn, but finding them so far from Earth opens up new mysteries for scientists to explore. They want to learn more about how these waves are created. Write a short story or draw a comic strip about a scientist discovering these waves. Include at least 3 facts you learned in your story.

2. KIDZ BOP MILESTONE

Kidz Bop, the popular kids’ music brand, just released its 50th album, Kidz Bop 50. The albums feature child-friendly versions of popular songs, sung by teens in colorful, high-energy music videos. The first Kidz Bop albums came out in 2001 and included hits like “Bye Bye Bye” and “All the Small Things.” Over the years, Kidz Bop has become a major success, with 50 albums, millions of copies sold, and even a touring group. The songs are edited to be more appropriate for kids, with changes like removing bad words or making lyrics more child-friendly. Some Kidz Bop versions of songs are funny, like changing “I’m sippin’ that bub” to “I’m eating that grub” in Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.” Despite some critics arguing that Kidz Bop doesn’t help kids understand the original music, the brand has remained popular for its fun, clean music that kids enjoy. Some Kidz Bop performers, like Zendaya and Grant Knoche, have gone on to successful careers. As Kidz Bop celebrates 25 years, it’s still going strong, with plans to expand into more languages and entertainment. Create your own Kidz Bop-style version of a song! Choose a song you like and write down the lyrics. Then, change lines of the song to make it more relatable to your life. Share your parody versions with your classmates!

3. CHIMP SIGN LANGUAGE

At a national park in Uganda, a chimpanzee named Lindsay and her mom, Beryl, have a special gesture they use just between them. When Lindsay wants to climb onto her mom’s back, she puts her hand over Beryl’s eye. No other chimpanzees are known to use this gesture. This discovery shows that chimpanzees can create their own gestures, just like humans sometimes make private signals or have inside jokes with family or friends. Scientists studying the chimps’ behavior think it started when Lindsay, as a young chimp, accidentally covered her mom’s good eye while playing. Over time, this became their way of communicating that Lindsay wanted a ride. Scientists think this might help us understand how human language and communication started. Write your own story about Lindsay and Beryl and draw a picture of the chimps to go along with it.

4. SAVING TORTOISES

In Madagascar, a huge rescue effort saved thousands of endangered tortoises after a cyclone caused their sanctuary to flood. The tortoises, called radiated and spider tortoises, were floating in the water when local people, sanctuary workers, and even police worked together to bring them back. They used big containers and even made rafts to save them. Most of the 12,000 tortoises were rescued, though some didn’t survive. These tortoises are special because they live a long time—sometimes over 100 years—and have beautiful yellow and black shells. Sadly, they’re endangered because their homes are being destroyed, and some people capture them to sell or eat. The sanctuary is now working to rebuild after the flood, and the tortoises are safe again. Using resources in your classroom, look up facts about tortoises, like how long they live, where in the world they live, and what they eat. Write down at least 5 facts that you learn.

5. REMEMBERING A FRENCH HERO

Valérie André was a French doctor, pilot, and parachutist who became the first woman general in France. She passed away at 102 years old on January 21. Valérie loved flying and medicine, so she became a military doctor and helicopter pilot. She helped soldiers during dangerous wars in Vietnam and Algeria. She flew helicopters to rescue injured people, even in very risky situations. She also made parachute jumps to reach people in remote areas. She was brave and believed every mission was important because it could save lives. After the wars, she worked to help women have bigger roles in the military. She became a top officer, with the important job of Inspector General of the Army Medical Corps. Write your own biography of André’s life, using what you read here to summarize her achievements.