1. WHAT’S THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, AGAIN?

The Electoral College is how the United States elects its president every four years, and it can be a bit confusing. When people vote for president, their votes don’t go directly to the candidates, like Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. Instead, the votes go to a group of people called electors, who represent each state. Here’s how it works: Each state has a certain number of electors based on its population. For example, California has the most electors because it has a lot of people. When voters cast their ballots, the candidate with the most votes in that state gets all of its electoral votes (except for Maine and Nebraska, which do it differently). To win the presidency, a candidate needs to get at least 270 out of 538 total electoral votes. This means they don’t have to win the most votes in the whole country, just enough states to reach 270. The reason for the Electoral College is that the founders of America had different ideas about how to elect a president. Some wanted only Congress to vote, while others thought everyone should be able to vote. The Electoral College was a compromise. Some people think the system is unfair because it can make it so that a candidate who gets fewer popular votes can still win the election, like in 2016 when Hillary Clinton received more votes but Donald Trump won because of the Electoral College. Even though there have been talks about changing it, the Electoral College is still how elections are held today. Hold an election in your classroom and cast your votes for the president and vice president. Then, discuss the results as a class.

2. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS DECISION

Michigan lawmakers are thinking about a new law to stop Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the state. If this law passes, people in Michigan won't have to change their clocks twice a year anymore. The bill is being discussed in a committee and, if approved, would keep Michigan on the same time all year long. Currently, most people in the U.S. will turn their clocks back one hour soon, but Michigan could join Arizona and Hawaii, which don't use DST at all. They decided not to change their clocks back in the 1960s. While states can choose to stay on standard time, they can’t switch to permanent DST without permission from Congress. In the past, Michigan has tried to keep Daylight Saving Time all year, but those efforts have not succeeded. Right now, neighboring states still change their clocks, which could make planning trips and meetings tricky. Some lawmakers want to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the entire country, which would let states keep that time without asking for approval. Supporters of the bill say changing clocks can mess up our sleep and health, so staying on one time could help everyone feel better and work more efficiently. However, experts have pointed out that changing the clocks can throw off our body's natural schedule, making it harder for us to sleep and stay healthy. Write a summary of what Daylight Savings Time is and at least 2 reasons why it would be a good thing to keep it and 2 reasons why it would be good to get rid of it. Compare your answers to your classmates and discuss what you think about Daylight Savings.

3. NO CUTTING

American Airlines is trying out a new system to stop people from cutting in line when boarding their planes. When someone tries to get on the plane before their group is called, the system makes a noise that lets the gate agent know. Then, that person has to go back and wait for their turn. This program is being tested at three airports: Albuquerque, Tucson, and Washington, D.C. American Airlines thinks it helps make boarding easier and keeps things organized. Some people try to jump the line because they want to find space for their carry-on bags in the overhead bins. If they get on the plane early, they have a better chance of keeping their bags with them instead of checking them, which means they don't have to wait at baggage claim after the flight. However, when people crowd the gate and try to board too early, it can cause confusion and slow down the boarding process, which might even delay the flight. So, the airline hopes this new system will help keep everyone in line and make boarding smoother for everyone. Have you experienced people cutting in line in front of you? Write 3-5 sentences about your experience and why solving this problem at an airport is important.

4. DAY OF THE DEAD

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a colorful Mexican holiday on November 1 and 2 that celebrates life and honors those who have passed away. This tradition began thousands of years ago with the Aztecs and Maya, who held month-long celebrations for the dead. When the Spanish arrived, they blended these traditions with their own holidays to create today’s Día de los Muertos. Families build ofrendas, or altars, to welcome the spirits of their loved ones. These altars are decorated with marigold flowers to guide the spirits, pan de muerto (a special bread), water, candles, and colorful paper banners. The most famous symbols of the holiday are decorated skulls and skeletons, which represent joy and celebration of life. On November 1, families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of loved ones. They bring food, drinks, and candles, often staying through the night to spend time with the spirits who are believed to cross over during this special time. Write a summary of what Día de los Muertos is and what people do to celebrate.

5. EARTH SHAKING MOMENT

In September 2023, something unusual happened: earthquake sensors around the world picked up a strange rumbling that lasted nine days! This wasn't like a regular earthquake, which usually has quick and sharp movements. Instead, it was a slow, steady shaking. Scientists were puzzled at first. Dr. Kristian Svennevig, a geologist from Denmark, and his team of 68 scientists worked for a year to figure out what caused this mystery. They finally traced it back to a landslide in a place called Dickson Fjord in East Greenland. Here’s what happened: on September 16, 2023, part of a mountain and glacier collapsed into the fjord. This created a massive wave called a tsunami, which reached up to 650 feet high! That's taller than a 50-story building! But even such a huge wave didn’t explain why the shaking lasted for so long. The answer came from special sonar images taken by the Danish Navy. They showed that the narrow fjord caused the wave to bounce back and forth, creating a "standing wave," similar to the way water sloshes in a bathtub. This trapped wave kept vibrating in the fjord, shaking the Earth for nine days straight! Scientists believe climate change played a big role. Greenland is getting warmer, causing glaciers to melt. The melting weakened the glacier that supported the mountain, making it collapse. This is one of the first times a climate change event affected the Earth’s crust so much that people worldwide could feel it. Draw a picture or comic that illustrates the earth quake and how it affected the world.