1. DIVING LIZARD

Water anoles are tiny lizards that live in rainforests in Costa Rica and Panama, and many animals like to eat them, such as snakes, birds, and other lizards. To escape, they dive into the water and create a bubble behind their nose that acts like a scuba tank, allowing them to stay underwater for up to 20 minutes. This bubble helps them breathe by recycling air stored in their lungs. Scientists like Dr. Lindsey Swierk studied this behavior and found that the bubble helps the lizard stay underwater longer, giving it a better chance to escape from predators. They also discovered that the bubble forms because of the lizard's water-repellent skin, which helps trap air. This is similar to how some insects and spiders breathe underwater by using bubbles. The water anole's ability to use a bubble for breathing is an important survival skill, helping it hide from predators and live longer in a dangerous environment. Write a summary of this story, including at least three facts you learned.

2. HALL OF FAME GAMES

The National Toy Hall of Fame is thinking about adding some fun toys to its list this year. Balloons, trampolines, and the game "Apples to Apples" are among 12 toys being considered. The winners will be announced in November. Other toys on the list include "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, Hess Toy Trucks, remote-controlled cars, and stick horses. Some games, like Phase 10, Sequence, and Pokémon cards, are also being considered. Old favorites like My Little Pony and Transformers are trying again this year to make it in. People can vote for their favorite toys from September 18 to 25. The toys that get the most votes will join the expert judges' picks to decide the final winners. The Toy Hall of Fame has been around since 1998, and it honors toys that have been loved for a long time and encourage fun and creativity. If you could add any one toy to the National Toy Hall of Fame, what would you choose and why? Write a paragraph about why you chose the toy you did.

3. FLAVOR FIRST

M&M's has announced a new flavor: Peanut Butter & Jelly, set to hit stores in December. This candy features berry-flavored chocolate with a peanut butter center and will be available in three sizes: single, share, and stand-up pouches. Throughout the 2010s, several other flavors of M&M's were introduced, including Pretzel M&M's in 2010, limited edition Coffee Nut M&M's in 2016, Caramel M&M's in 2017, limited edition English Toffee M&M's in 2019, and limited edition Hazelnut Spread M&M's, also in 2019. If you had to create a video or a picture to help advertise the new M&M’s flavor, what would you do to encourage people to buy them? Write down your ideas about what it would look like and what you’d want people to learn or do because of it.

4. RETURN TO ROOTS

The highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is going back to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi, after being called Clingmans Dome for over 150 years. The name was changed back because Kuwohi is important to the Cherokee people, who lived in the area long before it became a national park. The word "Kuwohi" means "mulberry place" in Cherokee. The mountain was named Clingmans Dome in 1859 by a surveyor who named it after a Confederate general. Now, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names has approved the Cherokee tribe's request to return to the original name. Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee, and every year the park closes it for Cherokee schoolchildren to visit and learn its history. Using the internet or reference books in your classroom, read about Native American tribes like the Cherokee. Can you find what tribe used to live in your area before the United States was colonized? Write down at least five facts you learned about Native American tribes and how they live, back then and today.

5. NEW FOR THE FLU

The FDA has approved a new kind of flu vaccine called FluMist that you spray into your nose, which is great news for people who don’t like needles! Now, parents can give this vaccine to their kids, and adults can use it themselves without going to a doctor’s office. However, you’ll still need a prescription. AstraZeneca, the company that makes FluMist, plans to set up a website where you can fill out a questionnaire. A pharmacist will review it before sending the vaccine to your home. FluMist costs about $35 to $45, but it might be cheaper with insurance. This nasal spray has been around since 2003 and is usually just as effective as the flu shot. The FDA hopes that by making it easier to get the vaccine, more people will choose to get vaccinated and help prevent the flu, which can cause serious illness. If you remember getting a shot at the doctor’s office, what was it like? Would you feel differently about going to the doctor or getting medicine if you knew you didn’t have to get a shot? Write down how you think this new flu vaccine could be helpful for people.