1. OLDEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD

Tomiko Itooka from Japan is now the world's oldest person at 116 years old. She lives in a nursing home in Ashiya, Japan. Her favorite food is bananas, and she enjoys a yogurt drink every morning. Tomiko celebrated her birthday with flowers and a cake. She used to play volleyball in high school and managed her husband's textile factory during World War II. Even after turning 100, she climbed a tall mountain and went on long hikes. If you could talk to Tomiko, what would you ask her about becoming the oldest person in the world? Write down at least five questions you would want to ask.

2. STOLEN ARTIFACTS

The British Museum is trying to get back some special artifacts that went missing. These items were taken by a former worker who sold them online. The museum is working hard to find the missing treasures, like gems and glass carvings, but it’s tough because not everything was properly recorded. So far, they’ve found over 600 items, but many are still missing. A special team at the museum is looking in different places, like online auctions and other museums, to find the lost items. They’re also working with police but aren’t trying to gather evidence for a crime. The team is doing their best, but they might not get everything back. When they make progress, they ring a bell to celebrate. Even though it’s a difficult task, the team is staying positive and working hard to recover the treasures.

3. THREAT TO WORMS

Hammerhead worms are a type of worm that looks like a snake and has a head shaped like a hammerhead shark. These worms are bad news for earthworms, which are important for keeping soil healthy in gardens. Hammerhead worms eat earthworms and are hard to get rid of because they can grow back even if you cut them up. These worms first came to the United States over 100 years ago from Southeast Asia, probably with some plants. They’re usually 2 to 3 inches long but can grow as long as 15 inches. They have a special chemical on their bodies that makes them poisonous to other animals and can even irritate your skin if you touch them. Hammerhead worms live in warm and humid places, like the southern states and greenhouses. They’ve spread to many parts of the U.S. and even Canada. If you see one, don’t try to squish it or cut it up because that will just make more worms. Instead, you should pour salt or vinegar on them to kill them. Write a summary of this story that includes at least five facts you learned about hammerhead worms.

4. VEGGIE SHORTAGE

In Iceland, people are having a hard time finding cucumbers at the grocery store because of a TikTok trend. A popular influencer, known as "Cucumber Guy," posted videos of himself making cucumber salads, which went viral. This led to a lot of people in Iceland wanting to try the recipe, causing cucumbers to sell out quickly across the country. Normally, Iceland grows most of its cucumbers in greenhouses, but the sudden demand was too much. Stores even had to bring in extra cucumbers from the Netherlands. Icelanders find this shortage both amusing and surprising, as it's rare for such a basic item to disappear from shelves. Some even joked that there might soon be a "cucumber black market" because of the craze. Write a summary of this story, including the cause and effect of the cucumber shortage.

5. THE RED PLANET

In 1924, people were excited about the idea of finding aliens, especially on Mars. At that time, Earth and Mars were very close, so scientists thought it was a great chance to listen for signals from Martians. To do this, they used a special radio, originally built for World War I, to try to catch any messages from Mars. During this event, a strange signal was picked up that looked like a face. People thought it might be a message from Martians, but no one could really explain it. Even though we still haven't found aliens, the excitement from this event started a century-long search for life beyond Earth. Today, scientists continue to explore space with advanced technology, but we still haven’t found any clear signs of aliens. The 1924 Mars event reminds us of how much we want to know if we're alone in the universe. How has our view of aliens or life on other planets changed from 100 years ago? Write at least five sentences a paragraph about what you know about aliens from both scientists and media like movies and television. Do you think any or all of it is true? Write down what you think.

1. A GLIMPSE AT THE PARALYMPICS

Christie Raleigh Crossley is a Paralympic swimmer who has faced many challenges in her life. She has been swimming since she was 3 years old and always dreamed of going to the Olympics. However, after surviving two car accidents and a brain condition that left her partially paralyzed, she’s now competing in the Paralympics instead. Christie’s disability isn’t always visible, which has led to people doubting whether she truly qualifies for the Paralympics. Despite these accusations, Christie has proved she has a real condition by sharing that she has a hole in her brain caused by a tumor that was removed. Even though she’s one of the best in her sport, people are suspicious of her because her disability isn’t easy to see. This has made her journey tough because the better she does, the more people question her. Despite this, Christie continues to train hard, waking up early to swim before taking care of her three children. Christie also faced bullying growing up because she was so fast in the pool that some people didn’t believe she was a girl. This was even more difficult because she was struggling with her gender identity, feeling that she didn’t fit into traditional gender roles. Throughout her life, Christie has had to overcome many obstacles, including serious injuries from car accidents. She even had to relearn how to walk after one of them. Despite these setbacks, she never gave up on her dream of competing, and now, at 37 years old, she’s heading to the Paralympics in Paris. Christie hopes to win several medals, but she knows that even if she does, some people will still doubt her. After the Games, she wants to share her story and maybe write a book, but for now, she’s focused on giving her best in Paris. Christie’s story is one of many from the Olympics and Paralympics about not giving up despite the obstacles in your way. Write a letter to Christie or another Olympian or Paralympian that inspires you, whether it’s to do your best, work hard, be kind to others, or something else. Write what about why their story inspires you and how it makes you want to act.

2. PENNY THOUGHTS

In the U.S., pennies are causing a big problem. Even though they seem like a small and harmless coin, the country keeps making more of them, but no one uses them. There are so many pennies lying around that we don’t have enough space to store them all. Each penny costs more to make than it's worth, and many people just keep them in jars instead of spending them. Even though many officials have suggested stopping the production of pennies, Congress hasn’t done it. Other countries, like Canada, have stopped making pennies because it costs too much and they weren’t useful. In Canada, they just round cash transactions to the nearest five cents, and people have adjusted to this change without much trouble. In summary, the U.S. keeps minting pennies that nobody uses, creating a huge storage problem and wasting money. What ways can you think of that people could use pennies that would make them more useful? Write down any creative ideas you can think of, then share them with your classmates and listen to their ideas.

3. OLYMPIC RINGS AROUND FOR GOOD

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced that the giant Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower will stay there permanently. These colorful rings were put up for the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the mayor thinks it's a great idea to keep them on this famous French landmark. The rings are huge, measuring about 95 feet wide and 43 feet tall. Because they are so big, they might need to be replaced with lighter ones to withstand winter winds. The Eiffel Tower will also need a special way to cover the rings during events that need the tower lit up in different colors. The Eiffel Tower is a major symbol of Paris and will continue to celebrate the spirit of the Olympics even after the games are over. The future of the Olympic cauldron, which has been a popular attraction, is still uncertain and depends on the French president's decision. Do you think it’s good or bad to permanently change a famous landmark? Why or why not? Write at least five sentences about your answer.

4. WILD ANIMAL ADVOCATE

Tembanechako Mastick used to be a poacher in Zimbabwe, hunting wild animals because farming became difficult due to droughts. After being caught and sent to jail, he changed his ways and now teaches others about the importance of protecting animals instead of killing them. Mastick knows how hard it is to lose livestock to wild animals like hyenas, but he now believes that animals should be protected for the good of the whole community. Instead of poaching, which is the term for illegally hunting wild animals, he now makes a living by building furniture, a skill he learned in jail. He also talks to his neighbors about why it's important to keep animals safe and how they can find other ways to earn money without harming wildlife. Thanks to his efforts, fewer people in his village are poaching, and he's become a role model, showing that it's possible to survive without breaking the law. Write a summary of this story, including at least five facts you learned. If you have books or other resources in your classroom to look up the African nation of Zimbabwe, you can include facts from there, too!

5. RULES OF DEBATE

In the upcoming debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, ABC News has set some special rules. The debate, scheduled for September 10, will not have a live audience, and microphones will be turned off when a candidate isn’t speaking. Neither candidate will be allowed to bring written notes. The 90-minute debate will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, with David Muir and Linsey Davis as moderators. This is the only debate planned so far, so it might be the only time Harris and Trump face off before the November election. Do you think these rules make sense for a debate where people want to hear the answers each candidate has to say? Why do you think that would be important for voters? Write at least five sentences about your answer.