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For Grades K-4 THE WEEK OF July 22, 2024
ONLINE ACTIVITIES 07.22.2024 ELEMENTARY 1. CHESS SUCCESS Bodhana Sivanandan, who is 9 years old and in fourth grade, started playing chess during the Covid-19 pandemic when she found an old chessboard her dad was going to throw away. She quickly learned the game by watching YouTube videos and playing online. Bodhana got really good at chess, even winning a big European championship and beating adults. Now, she is one of England’s best players and will play for England at the Chess Olympiad, which is like the Olympics for chess. Her dream is to become the youngest grandmaster in the world. A grandmaster is a super high rank in chess, and the current youngest grandmaster was 12 years old when he got the title. Bodhana has a few years to try and beat that record. She practices chess for about an hour every day after school with the help of some really good coaches. Bodhana’s dad is very supportive and wants her to enjoy the game and set her own goals. Write a summary of this story, including five facts you learned. 2. SAVING SPEARFISHING In northern Wisconsin, spearfishing for walleye is an important tradition to the Ojibwe people. However, the tribe faces challenges from warming waters, unpredictable seasons, and lakeshore development. These changes threaten the walleye population, which is crucial for the Ojibwe’s food, culture, and fishing rights. To protect the walleye, tribes and local conservation teams are working together. They limit how many fish can be caught and help boost natural fish populations. Historically, the Ojibwe had to fight for their fishing rights, facing resistance and harassment. Today, conservation efforts and respecting tribal knowledge are key to keeping the walleye and the spearfishing tradition alive. If you could interview Ojibwe people about their fishing traditions, list five questions you would ask. 3. RARE WHALE FOUND A very rare whale, called the spade-toothed whale, washed up on a beach in New Zealand. Scientists are excited because this whale is so rare that they have never been able to study one closely. Only six of these whales have ever been found, and none of them were alive. This whale was found quickly and put into a freezer, so it’s in good condition for scientists to study. They plan to dissect it to learn more about the species. This will be the first time they can do this with a spade-toothed whale. Scientists hope to find out more about what these whales eat, how they live, and other important details. Before they can start the dissection, scientists need to talk to the local Indigenous Maori people because whales are considered sacred to them. Using the internet or books in your classroom, look up facts about whales, including how many different species there are, what they eat, and where they live. Then, write a paragraph summarizing what you learned. 4. SWIMMING IN THE SEINE The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, swam in the Seine River to show it's clean enough for the upcoming Paris Olympics. A lot of work and money were spent cleaning the river so it can be used for Olympic events. Mayor Hidalgo swam in the river to keep her promise and show it’s safe. The river will be used for swimming and other events during the Olympics, which start soon. This is the first time in more than 100 years that people can swim in the Seine, thanks to this big clean-up effort. The river was too toxic for most fish and swimmers for decades, filled with trash and used for shipping and passenger boat traffic. Previously, bacteria-filled wastewater was dumped directly into the river after heavy rains. Now, there’s a storage facility the size of 20 Olympic swimming pools where the dirty water will be treated before being put back in the environment. Write a paragraph about the Seine River and how it’s been changed, and draw a picture or map to go along with your summary. 5. CARVING SURFBOARDS Leleo Kinimaka is a Hawaiian man who makes special surfboards called alaia boards, which have been used in Hawaii for a long time. He grew up in Kauai, surfing and swimming in the ocean, so making surfboards is very personal for him. Leleo carves designs into the surfboards that tell stories and show Hawaiian symbols. Some boards are made for surfing, while others are more like art pieces and are sold to museums and collectors. He uses local wood and tries to make his work as eco-friendly as possible. After learning carpentry in California, Leleo returned to Hawaii and began creating these unique surfboards in 2009. He enjoys blending traditional Hawaiian culture with his craft and feels very proud of his work. If you were going to design a surfboard that included symbols or images from your life, what would you put on it? Draw a version of your design and write what the different elements you chose represent. MIDDLE 1. MASSIVE TECH CRASH A flawed software update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike caused global disruptions last Friday. The update, intended for Microsoft Windows systems, led to widespread computer crashes, affecting airlines, hospitals, 911 services, and retailers. CrowdStrike, known for its security software used by major corporations and government agencies, inadvertently sent out an update that caused computers to endlessly reboot. This led to severe disruptions in many industries: flights were grounded, surgeries were canceled, and emergency services were hampered. The incident, which is being described as one of the worst technical failures, highlights the vulnerability of modern tech infrastructure. CrowdStrike has issued a fix, but the full recovery could take time. The company faces criticism over its testing processes and potential liabilities for such massive disruptions. The stock price of CrowdStrike dropped 11 percent following the incident. If you were in charge of the response from CrowdStrike, what would you say to reassure the public after this event? Write a speech or press release from this perspective. 2. IN COURT IN ITALY In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni won a lawsuit against journalist Giulia Cortese. The court found Cortese guilty of defaming Meloni and ordered her to pay 5,000 euros (about $5,500) plus court costs. The case started because Cortese made negative comments about Meloni on Twitter, including an insulting remark about her height. Cortese said the experience has been stressful and that it feels ridiculous to clog up the courts with such cases. This lawsuit is part of a larger trend where Meloni has sued several critics, raising concerns about press freedom in Italy. Critics argue that these lawsuits are used to intimidate journalists and limit their ability to criticize the government. Press freedom groups have noted that Italy has been moving down in global press freedom rankings and are worried about the increasing number of defamation lawsuits against reporters. Using books in your classroom or the internet, look up the definition of defamation and how defamation law works in the United States. Then, write a paragraph that compares what happened in Italy with how you think it would’ve played out if this case took place in the United States. 3. SPORTS IN THE CITY OF ANGELS Angel City FC, a women's soccer team based in Los Angeles, is set to become the world's most valuable women's sports team. This comes after Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay agreed to buy the team, valuing it at $250 million. This deal breaks the previous record of $120 million set by the San Diego Wave. Iger and Bay are excited to join Angel City as owners and plan to invest in the team's growth. They will provide $50 million to help fund the club's future. Bay will also take full control of the club's board, which includes founding members like Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, actress Natalie Portman, and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman. Founded in 2020, Angel City has many well-known investors, including retired athletes like Billie Jean King and actresses like Jennifer Garner. Since starting play in 2022, the team has gained many fans, sponsors, and season-ticket holders, playing in packed stadiums. In 2023, they generated the highest revenue of any women's team in the world and led the National Women’s Soccer League in attendance and sponsorship. Angel City plays its home games at BMO Stadium, which it shares with the men's team Los Angeles FC. Write an article that summarizes why Angel City’s valuation is an important moment in the history of women’s sports. 4. SECRET AGENT CHARGED Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA employee and senior official at the National Security Council, has been charged with secretly working for South Korea's intelligence service. The U.S. Justice Department says she accepted luxury items and expensive dinners in return for supporting South Korean government positions in media, sharing confidential information, and helping South Korean officials connect with U.S. government officials. The indictment states that Terry admitted to the FBI she provided information to South Korean intelligence, including passing notes from a private meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about U.S. policy toward North Korea. She also received over $37,000 for a public policy program she managed. Terry's lawyer claims the allegations are false and that she has always been independent and critical of the South Korean government. Terry worked for the U.S. government from 2001 to 2011 before joining think tanks, such as the Council on Foreign Relations. She is accused of not registering as a foreign agent and of not disclosing her ties to South Korea when testifying before Congress. If you were writing an article about this, make a list of who you would interview, what questions you would ask, and what sources you would use to find information for your story. 5. CONTROLLED BURN Insurance companies are setting up controlled fires to show how dangerous wildfires can be and to push for better building standards to protect homes. They want new homes in certain areas to be built with materials and designs that can resist wildfires. They want homes to have fire-resistant materials and landscaping that won't catch fire easily. At a recent conference, they demonstrated this by burning two small buildings—one with traditional materials and one with fire-resistant materials. The traditional building burned down, but the fire-resistant one did not. If homes aren't built this way, they might not get insurance, which is necessary to buy a house with a mortgage. Climate change is making wildfires worse, causing insurance companies to lose money. In 2023, insurers lost $33 billion from home and auto insurance. In places like California, big insurance companies have stopped offering new policies and have canceled some old ones. They are also asking for higher rates to cover the increased risk of wildfires. Write an opinion article on whether you think builders should have to create homes with fire-resistant materials and elements in areas at risk for wildfires. Use research to back up your assertions. HIGH 1. A NEW RUNNING MATE Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio, known for his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," has been chosen as Donald Trump's running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Vance gained fame from his book, which described the struggles of people in Appalachia and became influential in understanding Trump's support base. Vance, 39, became a U.S. Senator in 2022 and is known for his controversial views. He has stated he would have refused to certify the 2020 election results if he were vice president, opposing U.S. aid for Ukraine, and praised some policies of Hungary's authoritarian leader Viktor Orbán. He has also been active on train safety legislation following a toxic train derailment in Ohio. Vance's early life was difficult, with a troubled family background. He grew up with his grandparents and later joined the Marine Corps. He graduated from Yale Law School and is married to Usha Chilukuri, a prominent lawyer. The couple has three children. Read articles about Vance and his background from at least three different sources. Then, write at least a paragraph that compares how he is presented from different perspectives. 2. COMMANDMENTS IN CLASSROOMS In Louisiana, a new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms is on hold until at least November. This delay is due to a lawsuit filed by parents who argue that the law violates the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion or interfering with religious freedom. The lawsuit challenges the law because the plaintiffs believe it promotes religion in public schools, which could be unconstitutional. Supporters of the law say the Ten Commandments are important historical documents and part of the foundation of U.S. law. Under the current agreement, state education officials and local school boards are not allowed to start posting the Ten Commandments or making rules about it until after November 15. The law requires that the Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms by January 1, but how that will be implemented is still being decided. This legal battle follows previous Supreme Court decisions that have ruled against similar laws in the past, finding that such displays often have a religious purpose rather than a secular one. However, the Louisiana law allows schools to accept donations to cover the cost of the displays and also permits other historical documents to be posted. The legal challenge comes after a shift in Louisiana's political landscape with the election of a new Republican governor, who signed the law into effect. Write an opinion article about whether you feel the new Louisiana law would conflict with the First Amendment and the separation of church and state. Use research to back up your assertions. 3. PROTESTS IN BANGLADESH Bangladesh is experiencing major unrest due to protests over a quota system for government jobs. The government has imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the military to control the situation after days of violent clashes between protesters, security forces, and pro-government groups. The protests, which began weeks ago, escalated dramatically this week, with reports of numerous deaths. Demonstrators are demanding the removal of a job quota system that reserves up to 30 percent of government jobs for the relatives of war veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war. They argue that the system is unfair and favors those loyal to the ruling party, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The government has banned gatherings in the capital, Dhaka, and restricted internet services, adding to the chaos. Universities have closed, and social media platforms are largely inaccessible due to the disruptions. The protests highlight deep dissatisfaction among young graduates, who struggle to secure government jobs amidst rising inflation and a competitive job market. The ruling Awami League party defends the quota system as a way to honor war veterans, but critics see it as discriminatory. The situation remains tense, with ongoing legal battles and government measures to suppress dissent. Write a summary of this article, using research about the history of Bangladesh to provide context to your story. 4. UNDERSTANDING PROJECT 2025 Project 2025 is a plan created by the Heritage Foundation to outline a right-wing agenda for a potential future Republican president. It’s a detailed 900-page document developed with input from over 400 people, including Trump administration officials. The plan aims to make the presidency more powerful, allowing the president to replace many government workers with loyalists and have more control over the Department of Justice. The agenda also includes controversial proposals like banning pornography, removing a key abortion drug from the market, and eliminating protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Former President Trump is trying to distance himself from some of these ideas because he knows they might hurt his chances in the election. If Trump wins and tries to follow this plan, stopping it could be challenging due to the Supreme Court's recent rulings that favor presidential control. However, strong opposition from Democrats in Congress and state governors could slow down or block parts of the agenda. Read summaries of Project 2025 from at least three sources. Then, write an article that summarizes what is included in the proposal and how it would change America’s political and cultural landscape if enacted. 5. CALIFORNIA’S LANDMARK GENDER LAW Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law preventing California schools from informing parents if their child wants to use a different name or pronouns. This law aims to protect transgender students' privacy and safety. Previously, conservative-led school boards in California had tried to enforce such notifications, following similar moves in states like Tennessee and North Carolina. Critics, including some parents and conservative leaders, argue that the new law undermines parental rights and plan to challenge it in court. Supporters believe it will protect students from being forced to reveal their identities to unsupportive parents. The legal battle over these policies is expected to continue. Research laws in other countries, like Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina, that this bill is in direct opposition to. Then, write an article that summarizes the state of such laws in the United States right now.