For Grades K-4 , week of June 14, 2021

1. Puppy Love

Some people say there is nothing greater than the love between a boy and his dog. Eight-year-old Bryson Kliemann certainly seemed to prove that when he decided to give up his most prized possession to save his puppy’s life. Bryson, who lives in the town of Lebanon, Virginia, started selling off his Pokémon card collection to pay veterinary bills for his 4-month-old puppy Bruce, who was battling a virus that could have taken his life. The goal was to raise at least $655 for a three-day stay at a clinic, plus additional expenses for future treatments, the Washington Post newspaper reported. When word got out what Bryson was doing, neighbors gathered around the table where he was selling his cards. After only two afternoons, he collected $400 — some from people who didn’t even buy anything. When his mom posted a picture of his sales table on the Internet, donations started pouring in. As a result, Bryson and his family not only could pay for Bruce’s medical expenses, but had enough left over to help others who could not pay big veterinary bills. “I never in a million years would have thought something that my 8-year-old did in a small community would have such an impact,” his Mom said. “It truly has been incredible.” People often have a special connection to their pets. In the newspaper or online, find and closely read a story about a person with this kind of pet relationship. Use what you read to write a poem, rap or rhyme describing the relationship between the person and the pet. Read your poems aloud to family or friends.

Common Core State Standards: Demonstrating understanding of figurative language; applying knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts; reading prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate and expression on successive readings.

2. Statue of Liberty 2

The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the United States from the European nation of France to celebrate the relationship between the two nations and America’s role accepting immigrants from all over the world. The gift was given in 1885 and dedicated a year later in New York Harbor to mark the 100th anniversary of American independence. Now, 135 years after the statue’s dedication, another Statue of Liberty is heading to New York City. It will arrive in New York in time for Fourth of July celebrations and then go on display in Washington, DC. The new statue is much smaller than the original created by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi — just under 10 feet high compared to the original’s 305 feet. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol that is often used to represent the United States and its values. In the newspaper or online, find photos or stories showing other things that are used as symbols for America. Pick one and write a letter to the editor, describing how this symbol represents America, and how it makes you feel.

Common Core State Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task; reading closely what written and visual texts say and to making logical inferences from them.

3. Pizza Robot

Robots are doing more and more things for people, and many are asking “What’s next?” In the state of Rhode Island, the answer is “Serve pizza!” A pizza shop in the town of Cumberland has purchased a robot and put it to work serving pizza for customers. Angelo’s Palace Pizza owner Bill Kitsilis said he bought the Servi robot to take pressure off his staff during busy times. By having the robot deliver pizza and drinks to tables, it will allow servers “to spend more face-to-face time with the guests instead of running back and forth in the restaurant.” To add to the fun, Angelo’s is holding a naming contest for the robot, with the winning submission earning a $100 gift card, UPI News reports. Businesses, zoos or other organizations often run naming contests to create fun and interest for customers and the public. In the newspaper or online, find and closely read a story about a naming contest. Use what you read to come up with a name to enter in the contest and write why you think it would be a good choice. For added fun, pick something in your community that could use a new or fun name. Share with friends and come up with names. Explain your choices.

Common Core State Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

4. Museum Milestone

For 228 years, the Louvre Museum in the European city of Paris, France has been one of the leading art museums in the world. It has hosted great exhibitions, put a spotlight on new artists and held events that have caught the attention of people in and outside the art world. There has been one thing, however, that the Louvre has never done — and now it is doing it. The Louvre (pronounced LOO-vruh) has never had a woman as its president and director, but this fall it will. Laurence des Cars, 54, has been appointed to lead the world-famous museum by the president of France, Emmanuel Macron. Des Cars, who is the current leader of the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie museums in Paris, will start her new assignment on September 1. Following the coronavirus epidemic, one of her biggest challenges will be to restore the museum’s position as the most visited museum in the world. Art museums showcase the creative works of painters, sculptors and other artists. In the newspaper or online find stories or photos about an artist being featured at a museum in your state or the nation. Pick one artwork by the artist. Write a “review” of the work as if you were an art critic. Tell how you react to the work and explain why you feel that way. Share with friends and classmates and discuss.

Common Core State Standards: Writing opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions.

5. ‘Floating in Air’

If you’ve ever wondered if you could swim and fly at the same time, a new attraction in the European city of London, England might have the answer. A swimming pool at a high-rent apartment complex there is built of see-through material and hovers 10 stories above the ground! As a result, swimmers can perform their swimming strokes as if they were swimming — or flying — in midair. From the so-called Sky Pool, swimmers have views of the neighboring U.S. Embassy, the Thames River and London’s skyline, CNN News reports. If they look down, they can see people walking on the street 115 feet below them. “Swimming in it will make you feel like you’re floating in air,” said a spokesperson for the apartment complex. Businesses are always looking for new attractions to draw attention and interest from the public. In the newspaper or online, find and study a story or photo of a business doing this. Use what you find to write a letter to a friend, telling why you would like to visit this attraction — or not.

Common Core State Standards: Reading closely what written and visual texts say and to making logical inferences from them; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions.