1. TSUNAMI SCARE

On Thursday, people in Northern California got a big scare when a tsunami warning was sent out. A tsunami is a giant wave that can happen after an earthquake. This warning came because there was a strong earthquake far out in the Pacific Ocean. The warning told people to move to higher ground, and many rushed to safety, unsure of what to do. Even though Californians are used to preparing for earthquakes, like hiding under desks or keeping emergency supplies ready, tsunamis are less common. The warning caused confusion because people weren’t sure how serious it was or where to go. Some cities told people to evacuate, while others just suggested staying away from the water. The good news? No tsunami happened, and the warning was canceled after about an hour. However, the event showed that California needs to improve its alert systems, like bringing back emergency sirens or using better technology. For now, officials are working on ways to keep people informed and safe in the future. What is a tsunami? How is it different from other types of natural disasters like a hurricane or typhoon? Write down what you think a tsunami is, then use the internet or resources in your classroom to check your answer. Write down what you got right, correct anything you may have gotten wrong, and write down any new facts you learn.

2. LOOKING BACK ON “HOME ALONE”

Kieran Culkin, who played Fuller in the famous Christmas movie Home Alone, says he had no idea what the movie was about when he was in it! He was only 8 years old at the time, the same age as the main character, Kevin McCallister, played by his older brother, Macaulay Culkin. In Home Alone, Kevin’s family accidentally leaves him home alone during the holidays. He hilariously defends his house from burglars using clever traps. Kieran played Fuller, Kevin’s cousin who drinks too much soda and wets the bed. Kevin didn’t want to share a room with Fuller, which caused him to argue with his mom and end up forgotten in the attic. Kieran thought the movie was hilarious when he saw it at the premiere, even though he didn’t understand it while filming. He joked that he was just told, “Drink this Coke, wear the glasses, and look cute.” Now, years later, Kieran is famous for shows like Succession and is even getting Oscar buzz for a new movie called A Real Pain. Imagine you are in the movie Home Alone as one of the characters defending your house from burglars. Draw a picture of a unique trap you would set to catch them or keep them out of your house and describe it in at least 3 sentences.

3. BIRD MOM

The world’s oldest known wild bird, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross named Wisdom, has laid an egg! It’s her first egg in four years, and experts think it might be her 60th ever. Wisdom lives on Midway Atoll, a wildlife refuge in Hawaii, and has been returning there since 2006 to raise chicks. Laysan albatrosses usually mate for life, but Wisdom’s longtime mate, Akeakamai, hasn’t been seen for years. Now, she’s with a new male. Wildlife experts hope the egg will hatch soon. Albatross parents take turns keeping the egg warm for about two months. Once the chick hatches, it learns to fly and spends most of its life soaring over the ocean and eating squid and fish eggs. Wisdom has been raising chicks since 1956 and has had about 30 babies. Most Laysan albatrosses live up to 68 years, so Wisdom is truly special! Write a summary of this story that includes at least 3 facts that you learned about albatrosses.

4. PIE THIEF

A chef in England asked thieves to return 2,500 pies stolen in a van, but the story didn’t end well. Police found the van damaged, with the pies ruined and unsafe to eat. The pies, worth $32,000, were supposed to be sold at a Christmas market. The chef, Tommy Banks, had hoped the thieves would drop the pies off somewhere to help people, but instead, everything was wasted. He called it a sad and frustrating loss. This isn’t the first big food theft in the UK. In October, someone stole 48,000 pounds of fancy cheese from London, and it still hasn’t been found. Even TV chef Jamie Oliver joined the search! Think about how you would’ve tried to solve the situation if you were chef Tommy. What would you have done the same or differently to try to get the pies back? Write at least 5 sentences about your answer.

5. WORD OF THE YEAR

Oxford University Press picked “brain rot” as its word of the year for 2024. This phrase became very popular, used 230% more than last year. It means when someone’s brain feels like it’s getting worse, often from watching too much silly or easy online content. The word was chosen because it shows what 2024 was about. Experts and a public vote decided it. Other words that almost won were “demure,” “slop,” “dynamic pricing,” “romantasy,” and “lore.” “Brain rot” isn’t new—it was first used by writer Henry David Thoreau in 1854. Today, it reminds people about the risks of spending too much time online. Last year’s word was “rizz,” about charm. Collins Dictionary’s 2024 word is “brat,” inspired by a summer music album. If you had to choose your own word of the year, what would it be? It could be a new word you learned this year, one you’ve started using more often, or a word that summarizes this year for you. Write down your word and 3 to 5 sentences about why you chose it.