1. ANIMALS IN TROUBLE

A new study from the World Wildlife Fund shows that the average size of wildlife populations has dropped by 73 percent over the last 50 years. Scientists looked at animals like birds, fish, and reptiles between 1970 and 2020. The report says that nature is struggling because of things people do, like destroying habitats for farming, overusing natural resources, and pollution. Freshwater animals are the most affected, with populations dropping by 85 percent. The report warns that if we don't make changes soon, the damage could become permanent. On your own, write down human activities you can think of that harm wildlife. Then, in small groups, share the activities you each came up with and brainstorm solutions to these problems together.

2. AURORA IN THE SKY

On Thursday night, people across many parts of the world saw amazing colorful lights in the sky, called the Northern Lights or aurora borealis. These lights happen when energy from the sun hits Earth’s magnetic field. Normally, you can only see these lights near the North Pole, but this time they were visible much farther south, even in places like New York City and as far as Alabama. The sky lit up with bright colors like green, purple, and red, making it look magical. This special event happened because of a powerful storm from the sun. Write a short description of what the Northern Lights and what they look like. Then, draw a picture to go along with your description.

3. PAINTING RETURNS HOME

A painting by Claude Monet that was stolen by the Nazis during World War II has been returned to the family it belonged to, after more than 80 years. The painting, called “Bord de Mer,” was taken from a family in Austria and sold to support the Nazi government. The family had been searching for it for a long time, and finally, the FBI helped them get it back in New Orleans. The granddaughters of the original owner were very happy to see it again, and they hope it gives other families hope to find their lost treasures too. Using the internet or resources in your classroom, look up an example of Monet’s artwork. Then, try creating your own piece of art like Monet’s. Draw or paint your own “lost treasure,” which could be anything from an item to a person to a memory.

4. HURRICANE HITS FLORIDA

Florida has faced a lot of trouble after two strong hurricanes, Helene and Milton. Helene caused heavy rain and strong winds, leading to 20 deaths, and soon after, Hurricane Milton hit, causing even more damage and claiming at least 17 more lives. Many places in Florida are flooded, with rivers overflowing because of too much rain. Rescue teams have helped over 1,200 people who got stuck in their homes. Many towns have roads blocked by fallen trees and water, making it hard for emergency workers to help. A lot of people in Florida still don’t have power. While some electricity has been restored, 1.4 million homes and businesses are still in the dark. Gas stations are running out of fuel, especially around Tampa, making it hard for people to get gas for their cars. The government is working to bring in more fuel. Airports and some attractions like Disney World are reopening, but many places are still closed. In St. Petersburg, officials are giving out supplies like water and gas to help those in need. Florida’s leaders are working hard to clean up the mess and help people recover, but it’s going to take a lot of time and money. Write a short paragraph about what you would do to help someone affected by a hurricane, like giving out supplies or helping with cleanup.

5. AWARD GIVEN TO SURVIVORS’ GROUP

Eighty years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a group of survivors called Nihon Hidankyo received the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their work to get rid of nuclear weapons. This group was formed by people who lived through the bombings and have shared their personal stories to show how terrible nuclear weapons can be. When the bombs were dropped, about 120,000 people died right away, and many more suffered from illnesses caused by radiation. The survivors, known as hibakusha, faced many challenges after the bombings. They often felt alone and struggled with guilt and health problems. Despite their hardships, they came together to create Nihon Hidankyo in 1956. Their goal was to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear warfare and to promote peace. The Nobel committee praised the group for their efforts. They pointed out that even though nuclear weapons haven’t been used since World War II, the threat is still real because some countries are updating their weapons. Right now, there are nine countries known to have nuclear weapons, with nearly 13,000 of them around the world. As the hibakusha grow older, the Nobel Prize reminds everyone of their important stories and the need for younger generations to continue fighting against nuclear weapons. Toshiyuki Mimaki, the chairman of Nihon Hidankyo, expressed his strong wish for nuclear weapons to be abolished in his lifetime. This message is more important than ever, especially as tensions rise over nuclear weapons around the world. Write 3-5 sentences summarizing this story. Then, write 3-5 sentences about what you think we can learn from these survivors about the importance of peace.