1. THE NEW POPE

A man from the United States has just become the new pope! His name is Pope Leo XIV. He used to be known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, and he speaks five languages. Even though he’s American, he didn’t speak English at first when he became pope because he wanted to show respect to the people in Italy and Peru where he’s lived. Some people think Pope Leo might not agree with everything President Trump does, especially about how to treat immigrants and the environment. Pope Leo cares a lot about helping the poor and bringing people together. Pope Leo XIV is from the United States, but he has also lived in Peru and speaks five different languages! Imagine you could talk to someone from another country. What questions would you ask to learn about their home? Look up facts about another country using resources in your classroom, then write 3 questions you’d ask a kid your age who lives there based on what you learned.

2. CHIMPS HAVE RHYTHM

Chimpanzees drum on tree trunks using special rhythms, and each chimp has its own beat — kind of like a fingerprint! Scientists think this drumming helps them talk to each other from far away in the jungle. Chimps even choose tree roots that make the best sounds. In other studies, chimps have also been found to use different calls to share more complex messages, like inviting friends to sleep nearby. This shows chimps are great at using sounds to stay connected! Pretend you’re a chimpanzee in the jungle! What kind of rhythm would you use to say, “I’m here!” or “Come play!”? Clap or tap out your rhythm on a table, then write a short sentence or draw a picture showing what your special beat means. Share your special rhythm with classmates and try using them to communicate!

3. THE PIGEON’S ADVENTURES

Mo Willems, the author of fun picture books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, has a new story out called Will the Pigeon Graduate? In the book, Pigeon feels nervous about growing up and moving on to the next stage in life—kind of like how kids feel when they graduate or try something new. Mo says the story is for anyone who has ever wondered, “Am I ready for this?” He also used to write for Sesame Street and says it taught him a lot about asking big questions, like “What’s the purpose of life?” or “Can I have a hot dog?” Think about something new you’ve had to try (maybe starting school, learning to ride a bike, or reading a big book on your own). Write a short paragraph about how it felt. Were you nervous like the Pigeon? What helped you feel brave? Then, draw a picture or comic strip of the Pigeon in the same situation.

4. NEW FOOD COLORING

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three new natural colors that can now be used in foods in the U.S. These colors come from algae, minerals, and flower petals. They can be added to foods like yogurt, drinks, pretzels, and candy. Many people have wanted fewer fake dyes in food because some studies say they might cause problems for kids. The FDA says these new colors are safe and will help make foods look fun without using artificial dyes. Imagine you’re a food scientist trying to make a colorful new snack using natural colors. What would you name your snack, what color would it be, and what natural ingredient would give it that color (like flowers, algae, or fruit)? Write 2–3 sentences describing your snack idea, then draw a picture of it!

5. ICE AGE SURVIVORS

Every Mother’s Day in Palmer, Alaska, families visit the Musk Ox Farm to see animals that survived the ice age, including new baby musk oxen. The farm, open since 1964, celebrates this day as its summer season kickoff, attracting over 1,500 visitors. Musk oxen once roamed with saber-toothed tigers and now live in Alaska thanks to conservation efforts. The event is a way to celebrate mothers and give back to the community. The most recent ice age, often referred to as the last glacial period, began about 115,000 years ago and ended around 11,000 years ago! Use resources in your classroom to find two other animals that lived during the Ice Age. Write a few sentences comparing them to musk oxen. What do they have in common? What do you think helped musk oxen survive when other species did not?