1. DOLLY PLOWTON

A new snowplow in Nashville has started clearing streets during a weekend snowstorm, and it has a fun name and design: “Dolly Plowton,” inspired by Dolly Parton. The story is current because this storm has people paying close attention to how well the city can handle snow and ice right now. Nashville does not get winter weather often, so even a small amount of snow or ice can make roads dangerous and cause problems for power lines and city services. City leaders say they have been preparing by adding new plows, training drivers, and using technology like iPads to help plan routes. Some people also say the city is changing because more residents have moved in from colder places and expect quicker snow removal. Write a paragraph of five to seven sentences explaining why a city might choose to spend money on snowplows even if it does not snow very often. In your paragraph, describe at least one way a snowplow helps keep people safe, one challenge Nashville might face when roads get icy, and one reason a creative name like “Dolly Plowton” could make residents pay more attention to safety messages.

2. PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM EXTREME COLD

A big winter storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain to many parts of the United States at the same time. Ice made tree branches and power lines snap, so hundreds of thousands of homes lost electricity, especially in places like Tennessee and Mississippi. The storm also caused dangerous travel, with many flight cancellations and delays and fewer people driving on icy roads. Weather experts warned that the cold would last, which means ice and snow may not melt quickly and repairs could take longer. Officials told people to stay home when possible and to check on friends and family who might need help. Pretend you are the “storm helper” for your household for one day. Write a short paragraph of 5–7 sentences explaining what you would do before the storm, what you would do during the storm, and what you would do after the storm to help everyone stay safe and calm. You should include at least one way you would save warmth, one way you would stay informed without panicking, and one kind thing you would do for a neighbor or relative.

3. CITY SUES OVER MONUMENT CHANGE

At a historic site in Philadelphia where George and Martha Washington once lived, there was an exhibit that taught visitors about the people the Washingtons enslaved. Under directions from President Trump, workers removed the exhibit panels, and many people felt upset because they believed the site should tell the whole story of the past, including painful parts. The city of Philadelphia sued the federal government, saying there was an agreement that changes to the exhibit should be discussed first. Some leaders said removing the panels is like hiding history, while the federal agency said it is reviewing materials for accuracy and values. The names of the enslaved people are still shown at the site, but many visitors want the full information restored. Imagine you are helping design a new display for the history site so visitors understand what happened there. Write 4–6 sentences that describe what you would include on the exhibit panels, such as facts, names, pictures, or quotes, and explain how each part would help people learn. Your last sentence should explain why learning about hard parts of history can help a community make better choices today.

4. HIGH CLIMB

A famous climber named Alex Honnold recently completed a very scary challenge live for millions of viewers on Netflix: He climbed a very tall building in Taiwan called Taipei 101, and he climbed it without a rope. Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world from the time it was built in 2004 until 2010. Only a small number of people in the world do skyscraper climbing, and many climbers say it is risky and often illegal. Climbers explained that tall buildings can be harder in a different way than mountains because the moves repeat again and again, which tires out hands and muscles. Some climbers worry that seeing a big climb on TV could make kids try something dangerous without training. They warned that this is not a safe activity for most people and that mistakes can be very serious. Imagine you are interviewing a professional climber for a school magazine. Write 5–7 sentences that describe the three questions you would ask about training, safety, and decision-making, and then explain what you hope to learn from each question. Your writing should show that exciting achievements often come from careful preparation, not from copying dangerous actions.

5. STUDYING SONIC BOOMS

Scientists are studying how to track space junk that falls back to Earth. When large pieces of debris fall through the air very fast, they can create loud sonic booms, and earthquake sensors on the ground can sometimes “hear” those booms as vibrations. In one case, researchers used this method to estimate that a falling object’s path was different from what radar predicted. The scientists said this could help people find any pieces that survive the fall more quickly, especially if the debris might be dangerous. Researchers also said space is getting more crowded with satellites, so it is important to improve tracking as more objects reenter the atmosphere. Draw your own design for a science museum exhibit called “Listening for Space Junk.” Using labels, explain what scientists are trying to figure out, what tools they use on the ground, and what a sonic boom tells them. Include one fun “Did you know?” sentence and one question that invites visitors to think, such as what else scientists might be able to track by listening.