Critical Thinking

Directions: Read the article.
Mickey Gets Fit

No more junk food for Mickey Mouse, Mr. Incredible, or Nemo.
Recently, the Walt Disney Company announced a plan to take its
characters off some foods. Company officials do not want their
characters to draw kids to snacks that are unhealthful. So Disney
developed nutrition guidelines that will make it tougher for food
companies to get Mickey’s approval.
The rules limit sugar, fat, and calories in foods that bear a
Disney character or logo. Snacks that get more than 35 percent of
their calories from fat or 25 percent from added sugar will be
off-limits. Over the next two years, Disney will drop foods that
don’t meet these guidelines.
Disney also promised to improve the nutritional value of
meals served at its United States theme parks. Kids’ meals will
now include low-fat milk, carrots, and other healthful choices.
Trans fats, which are used in some crackers and snack foods, are
especially dangerous. Disney parks will cut out trans fats by the
end of 2007.
The meal plan comes as concerns about childhood obesity
continue to grow. “It was the right thing to do,” says Disney boss
Robert Iger. Health officials and nutritionists praised the new
plan. But many said Disney should pull junk-food ads from its TV
networks, too.
18 #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking © Shell Education

Name ____________________________________________________
Mickey Gets Fit (cont.)
Directions: Answer these questions. You may look at the article.
1. What kinds of products is the Walt Disney Company removing its characters and logo
from? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What kind of additive was being banned at Disney parks at the end of 2007?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Describe what will be in a typical kid’s meal at U.S. Disney theme parks from now on.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What did health officials and nutritionists say about Disney’s decision? What else did some
of them want Disney to do?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you think? Should all junk food be eliminated from theme parks? Do companies
like Disney have a responsibility to help keep kids healthy? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Do TV commercials for junk food that feature popular animated characters make you
want to buy those foods? Do you think that companies like Disney are wrong to use their
characters to sell food that is not healthy?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
© Shell Education #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking 19
Name ____________________________________________________
Mickey Gets Fit (cont.)
Directions: Look at the pictures of the two kids’ meals. Answer the questions.
Which Would You Choose?
Meal A Meal B
LO
FA W
T
ES
FRI
1. Which of these kids’ meals do you think Disney is serving at its theme parks now?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the differences in the two meals? What makes one healthier than the other?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. If you were in charge of choosing foods to sell at a theme park, what kinds of food would
you put on the menu? Would you care only about what foods would make the most
money? Or would you care about offering healthy choices? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Coral Reef Rescue

A lively community swims beneath the surface of the ocean.
Bright fish float through colorful formations called coral reefs.
“It’s just a riot of movement and color,” says Rod Salm. He is a
scientist who studies ocean life.
Salm is working to protect the world’s coral reefs. They
are being hurt by pollution, overfishing, and other problems.
Recently, researchers at a meeting on coral reefs sounded the
alarm. They said that if nothing is done, more than half the world’s
coral could die within the next 25 years.
Some coral formations look like lifeless stone. But corals are
made up of tiny living animals. They grow and divide to build the
coral colonies. When corals die, their skeletons are left behind.
New corals build on top. Some of the colonies are huge and
hundreds of years old.
Changes in water temperature can be deadly for corals.
Warmer ocean temperatures have caused coral bleaching. Corals
lose their color and become sickly. Some die.
Scientists have discovered that some corals can recover from
bleaching. The lessons they learn from these survivors could give
coral reefs a bright future.

Name ____________________________________________________
Coral Reef Rescue (cont.)
1. Why are coral reefs in danger?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. The article says that at their meeting, researchers “sounded the alarm” about the problem.
What does that mean?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What do scientists think will happen to the world’s coral if it is not protected?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What happens when corals die?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How does warmer water temperature affect coral reefs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Why do you think we should care about coral reefs and whether they have a future?
Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Coral Reef Rescue (cont.)
Directions: Look at the pictures and read the descriptions. Answer the questions.
How Are Coral Reefs Formed?
Coral Polyp Coral Colony Coral Reef

Reefs are formed by coral The carbonate hardens into a Coral colonies and other
colonies of tiny animals called lime cup around the polyp’s organisms build the coral
coral polyps. Each polyp is soft body. The hard material reef.
a tiny, worm-shaped animal forms over many years by
that secretes a material called millions of polyps to make a
calcium carbonate. coral colony.
1. What is a coral polyp?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How do the polyps turn into a coral colony?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you imagine you might find in a coral reef? Use details to explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Farm-Fresh Science
What do kids say after attending Veggie U? “More veggies,
please!” The science program is popping up in fourth-grade
classrooms across the nation. For five weeks, students learn
about vegetables and nutrition. They also grow and eat their own
veggies, such as squash and lettuce.
“Once the kids plant the seeds and watch them grow, they
start to look at veggies differently,” says Barbara Jones. She is the
director of Veggie U.
Barbara and her husband, Bob, started Veggie U. They want
to encourage kids to eat healthfully. The Jones’ farm in Milan,
Ohio, gives teachers the tools to get growing. The kit comes with
seeds, soil, grow lights, and earthworms. The Jones also send
fresh vegetables, including blue potatoes and purple carrots. “A
lot of students think vegetables aren’t cool,” says Sam Browning,
a teacher in Sandusky, Ohio. “But they’re excited to try the ones
from the Jones’ farm.”
Courtney Russell is one of Browning’s students. She admits the
blue potato made her a little nervous. But Veggie U has helped
her to eat better. “Now when I have a snack, I’d rather have
veggies,” she says.

Name ____________________________________________________
Farm-Fresh Science (cont.)
1. What do you think the “U” in Veggie U is supposed to stand for?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What does the program teach kids?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Name three things that kids in the program get to do.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Who started the program?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do you think the Jones’ care enough to start a program like this?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. How are the vegetables they send different from regular vegetables? Why do you think
they send these unusual-looking vegetables?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Would you try a fruit or vegetable that was not its “normal” color? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Farm-Fresh Science (cont.)
Directions: Look at the chart. Answer the questions.
What Part of the Plant Are We Eating, Anyway?

FRUITS LEAVES ROOTS SEED PODS
apples lemons basil beets chili peppers
apricots mangos brussels sprouts carrots green beans
avocados oranges beet greens onions okra
bananas papayas cabbage parsnips snap pea pods
blueberries peaches chard radishes wax beans
cantaloupe pears cilantro rutabagas
cherries pineapple endive sweet potatoes
cranberries plums kale turnips
cucumbers raspberries lettuce SEEDS STEMS
eggplant strawberries spinach black beans asparagus
grapes squash turnip greens corn celery
kiwifruit tomatoes FLOWERS lima beans leeks
TUBERS artichokes kidney beans green onions
potatoes broccoli peas rhubarb
yams cauliflower sunflower seeds
1. Into how many categories can vegetables be split?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which vegetables are really flowers?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Make a list of your top 10 favorites from this list.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Back in Orbit
Rockets roared as the space shuttle Atlantis lifted into the sky
on September 9, 2006. Atlantis was headed for the International
Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a giant space lab in the sky.
Scientists from many countries work there.
The station was built in 1998. It is 220 miles above Earth. Its first
permanent crew arrived in 2000. Since then, there have always
been at least two astronauts on board.
Atlantis’s mission was to build the first major addition to the
ISS since late 2002. Work to build the station stopped in February
2003 so that scientists could find ways to make shuttle trips safer.
Now, it is back to business on the ISS. All six members of the
Atlantis crew trained for four and a half years for this difficult
mission. Atlantis astronauts took three space walks. Each walk
lasted more than six hours. The team added giant solar panels
to the ISS. The panels use the sun’s energy to make power for
the station. NASA is planning 14 shuttle flights to finish work on
the ISS. When it is done, the space lab will be bigger than a five-
bedroom house.
NASA plans to retire the shuttles in 2010. New spacecrafts are
in the works. They may one day take United States astronauts to
the moon, Mars, and maybe even beyond.

Name ____________________________________________________
Back in Orbit (cont.)
1. What does ISS stand for?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the fewest number of astronauts ever on board the ISS?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What was Atlantis’s mission?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How many members are there on this shuttle crew?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What did the astronauts do while they were at the ISS?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What is NASA planning for the future of its shuttle program?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What do you imagine it must be like to visit the ISS? Write what you think a trip there
would be like. Use lots of details.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Back in Orbit (cont.)
Directions: Read the list. Answer the questions.
Some Surprising Facts About the International Space Station

• The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest manned object ever sent into space—
about the size of two Boeing 747s.
• Putting the ISS together will require 45 launches—36 from the United States and nine
from Russia—and 1,705 hours of space walks.
• The ISS will be visible to more than 90 percent of the world’s population.
• The Space Station circles the Earth every 90 minutes.
• The ISS astronauts exercise at least two hours every day because the human body tends
to lose muscle and bone mass rapidly in space.
• About 100,000 people from 16 nations have worked on the ISS.
• The Space Station is the most expensive single object ever built.
1. Why do you think so much of the world’s population is able to see the International Space
Station?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What was the most surprising fact to you? Why did you think that was so surprising?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. List three other things you would want to find out about the ISS. Where would you look
for this information?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

It’s Asthma Season

Jeremy Wirick has had many asthma attacks at school.
Sometimes, he has to use a machine to catch his breath. Asthma
is a disorder that makes breathing difficult. The American Lung
Association says that about one out of 12 American kids has
asthma.
Kids’ asthma is often worse in September and October. “When
kids get together in close spaces, they start passing viruses
around,” Dr. Norman Edelman said. Germs, fall allergies, and
school stress can make a child’s asthma worse. Asthma affects a
person’s airways. An asthma attack makes it hard for air to get to
the lungs.
Schools can do a lot to help. School buildings should be free of
dust, mold, and other things that can bring on an asthma attack.
Kids with asthma should have a plan from a doctor so school staff
members know what to do in an emergency.
Most states allow kids with asthma to carry inhalers of medicine
that help them breathe. Jeremy keeps his inhaler in the school
nurse’s office. What is his advice for kids with asthma? Avoid
activities that bring on asthma attacks, but still have fun. “If kids
are playing in leaf piles,” he says, “stick with the swings.”

Name ____________________________________________________
It’s Asthma Season (cont.)
1. What is asthma?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How many kids in the United States have the disease?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What are three things that can make asthma worse for a kid?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What happens during an asthma attack?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What are some things that schools can do to help kids with asthma?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What do some kids carry with them in case of an asthma attack?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Why do you think Jeremy says that if kids are playing leaves, it’s safer to “stick with the
swings”?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
It’s Asthma Season (cont.)
Directions: Look at the list. Answer the questions.
Asthma Capitals, 2007

There is no place free from asthma triggers. But some cities have risk factors that make them
more challenging places to live than others. Atlanta, Georgia, was named the top “Asthma
Capital” for 2007 in the annual ranking of the 100 most challenging places to live with asthma.
1. Atlanta, Georgia 6. Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 7. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3. Raleigh, North Carolina 8. Greensboro, North Carolina
4. Knoxville, Tennessee 9. Scranton, Pennsylvania
5. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 10. Little Rock, Arkansas
1. According to the list, what’s the worst city to live in if you have asthma?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which state has the most cities on the Top 10 list for asthma risk factors?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What kinds of information do you think researchers might use to decide which cities to
put on this list?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Stay in the Game

Many kids start playing a sport for fun. They work hard to do
their best. Too often, injuries can get in the way. Kids face special
risks because their bones are still growing. Young athletes who
train year-round face even more risks. Doing the same move over
and over, such as throwing a ball, stresses a kid’s body.
More than 3.5 million kids under age 15 are treated for sports
injuries each year. Most are caused by collisions or falls. When
young athletes reach middle school or high school, nearly half
their injuries result from overusing muscles and joints. A joint is
where two bones meet.
Little League baseball and softball have taken aim at overuse
injuries. The league recently announced new rules. Until now, a
player was allowed to pitch six innings per game. Under the new
rules, pitchers ten and younger will stop after 75 pitches.
The best medicine may be having fun off the field. “We
recommend that a young baseball thrower have two to three
months off each year,” says Dr. James Andrews. Taking a break
could help you play your way to a safer season.

Name ____________________________________________________
Stay in the Game (cont.)
1. How many kids under age 15 are treated for sports injuries annually?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think so many injuries occur from overusing muscles and joints?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What changes did Little League make in its pitching rules?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Why do you think they made those changes?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you think might happen to a pitcher who never gets a break?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Name three other sports in which there may be a lot of injuries to young athletes.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you think that some coaches push their young athletes to do too much? Should every
youth sports group have rules like Little League to prevent injuries? Why or why not?
Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
Stay in the Game (cont.)
Top 10 Most Dangerous Sports

Many moms might worry about their kids getting hurt playing football. But a new study shows
that playing basketball and riding bicycles sent more Americans to the emergency room in 2005:
Number of People
Sport
Treated at Hospitals
1. basketball 512,213
2. bicycling 485,669
3. football 418,260
4. soccer 174,686
5. baseball 155,898
6. skateboarding 112,544
7. trampoline jumping 108,029
8. softball 106,884
9. swimming/diving 82,354
10. horseback riding 73,576
1. What surprised you the most about this list?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which two sports had the closest number of injuries?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Of these sports, which ones have you participated in? Describe a time you were hurt
playing a sport or on a playground, even if you did not need to see a doctor. Use details to
explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Seeds of Hope
Every year, Africa’s farms produce fewer and fewer crops. Many
Africans do not have enough food to eat. Americans Bill and
Melinda Gates say it is time to change that for good.
In 2006, the Gates Foundation announced it was teaming
up with the Rockefeller Foundation to fight hunger in Africa.
Together, the generous groups will spend $150 million to help
farmers on the continent of Africa.
The new program is called Alliance for a Green Revolution.
It is a back-to-basics plan that will start with seeds. Already,
African scientists are working to develop hardier crops. They have
created new kinds of rice plants that grow well in Africa. The rice
is resistant to weeds.
Africa’s farmers are mainly women. Many of the scientists
helping to create the new crops are also women. Margaret
Karembu is a scientist in Kenya. She said that women are working
to help their sisters in the villages. “We know what it means to
have to harvest all day,” she said.
The effects of planting hardier plants can already be felt.
Children are expected to help in the field, but now they spend
less time there. More kids are in school in the areas where the
new rice is grown.
Better harvests will give farm families more crops to eat and to
sell. It will take years for the new program to reach full bloom. But
the seeds of hope have been planted.

Name ____________________________________________________
Seeds of Hope (cont.)
1. Who are the people behind the Gates Foundation?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How much are the groups spending to help farmers?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the new program called?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Why are scientists developing new kinds of plants?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why does it matter that many of the scientists working on the project are women?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. How will this new program affect African children who work on farms?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. How do you think this program will help the people of Africa?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
Seeds of Hope (cont.)
Directions: Look at the map. Answer the questions.
Hunger Hot Spots in Central Africa

1. Chad
2. Cameroon
3. Central African Republic
4. Congo

5. Democratic Republic of Congo

■ 20% to 34% population
undernourished
■ 35% population
undernourished
Total population: 81.7 million

Undernourished population:
47.6 million or 58%
1. Name the Central African countries where at least 35 percent of the population is
undernourished.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What percentage of the population of Central Africa is considered undernourished?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you think the Alliance for a Green Revolution should do to help these countries?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Ta-Da! It’s Time for Class

As class begins, students wave wands in the air. One boy
makes a coin disappear. Another boy pulls a golf ball from an
empty jar. A few students are juggling.
Have the teachers lost control? No! In fact, they are teaching
the students to do more tricks. This is not an ordinary school. The
College of Magic in Cape Town, South Africa teaches children
age 10 and older how to do magic.
David Gore opened the College of Magic 26 years ago. He
wanted to help local children. They seemed to need a little
magic in their lives. Many of the students are poor. They live in
small shacks and don’t always have enough to eat. Gore said that
magic “gives children the courage to dream.”
Gore says magic offers kids new ways of thinking and solving
problems. They learn to do things that seem impossible. They
also learn that they have the ability to amaze others. “You’re able
to do things other people would love to do, but they can’t,” said
magic student Hannah-Rose Smith.
Phumile Dyasi has been a student at the school since he was
10. Phumile has won magic contests. He would like to become
a professional one day. This is something he never dreamed of
before going to magic school. Phumile used to be very shy. But
magic lessons have made his shyness vanish. “We make the
impossible become possible,” he said.

Name ____________________________________________________
Ta-Da! It’s Time for Class (cont.)
1. What does the school teach students how to do?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think this is a real college? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why did David Gore open the school?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What challenges do the kids have at home?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. In what ways does learning magic help these kids?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. How do you think learning magic has made Phumile’s shyness disappear? What does he
mean when he says, “We make the impossible become possible”?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Ta-Da! It’s Time for Class (cont.)
Directions: Look at the class schedule. Answer the questions.
MAGIC SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Tools of the Trade Card-Trick Secrets
Make magic using your Learn all the tricks that
wand and objects you can find magicians have up their
around the house. sleeves.
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The History of Magic The Art of Illusion
Learn about famous Unlock the secret to making
magicians. objects appear and vanish.
11:00 a.m. to noon 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1. What time is the first class of the day?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How long is the History of Magic class?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the last class of the day? What will you learn in that class?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Which of these classes would you like to take? Explain your choice.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Who Belongs in the Zoo?

Elephants are wildly popular at the zoo. They draw large
crowds. But zoos in some big cities are planning to close their
elephant exhibits. Why?
In the wild, elephants can travel up to 30 miles a day. They live
in large groups. Most zoos have only a few elephants living in
a small space. “It is not possible for zoos to meet the needs of
elephants,” says David Hancocks, a wildlife expert.
Two city zoos in California and Pennsylvania are building
larger homes for their elephants. But elephants are not the
only creatures that animal experts worry about. Zookeepers
are thinking harder than ever about how to best take care of all
species, or kinds, of animals.
Many zoo favorites, including lions, tigers, and gorillas, seem
to do well in zoos. Others, such as elephants, have a tougher
time. In the future, zoos may have fewer animals. When animals
are treated well, people feel good visiting zoos. Zoos also teach
people about protecting wildlife.
In September 2006, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
opened its new Asia Trail exhibit. The space features sloth bears,
fishing cats, and pandas. Even better, learning about the animals
and their natural habitat will help remind people that these
precious creatures need protection in the wild.

Name ____________________________________________________
Who Belongs in the Zoo? (cont.)
1. Why are some cities closing their elephant exhibits?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How is the way elephants live in the wild different from how they live in most zoos?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Which two states have zoos that are building new homes for the elephants?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How will these new homes be different?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How might zoos of the future be different from zoos today?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What animals are featured at the new exhibit at the National Zoo?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you think it is better to have lots of animals at a smaller, traditional zoo, or fewer
animals kept in a bigger area that’s more like their natural habitat?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Who Belongs in the Zoo? (cont.)
What Is at the Zoo?
There are about 143 million visitors annually to the 166 zoos in North America accredited by
the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The following is a list of the species on display and
the number of animals in each category:
Total Number of
Type of Animal
Individual Animals
Amphibians 14,916
Birds 57,115
Fish 339,195
Invertebrates 239,925
Mammals 53,189
Marine Mammals 1,260
Reptiles 29,573
1. What type of animal is there the most of at zoos and aquariums?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How many reptiles are there at North America’s zoos and aquariums?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you think that these numbers will increase or decrease in the coming years? Explain
your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

The Future of Energy

Winds, waves, and the sun’s rays are powerful forces of nature.
These natural energy sources could one day light up our cities
and towns. In fact, water, wind, and solar power are already being
used in some places.
Scientists are scrambling to plug into nature’s renewable
energy sources—things we won’t run out of, such as sunlight and
ocean waves. The Earth’s oil supply is limited. Oil has become
more expensive.
The Flex car is a sweet example of natural energy at work. The
car runs on fuel made from sugarcane. That’s a crop that grows in
Brazil. The fuel is not yet as popular in the United States, where
fuel is made from corn. In parts of Asia and Africa, droppings
from pigs and other farm animals are being turned into power.
Machines break down the waste into gases. These gases are
burned to heat and light homes.
Energy from the sun helps to run factories and heat water.
Rooftop panels take in sunshine and turn it into power. The
United States military is now working on special fabrics that
absorb sunlight. Soldiers could use tents and backpacks made
from this fabric to recharge their equipment.
Researcher Tom Denniss is working to turn the force of ocean
waves into electricity. We will never run out of waves, Denniss
points out. Drawing on fuel that we won’t run out of is the power
behind all these bright ideas.

Name ____________________________________________________
The Future of Energy (cont.)
1. Name three renewable energy sources.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is another name for energy from the sun?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why are scientists looking for more renewable sources for power?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What kind of fuel does the Flex car run on?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What two items does the United States military hope to make out of special
sunlight-absorbing fabrics?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What makes energy from winds, waves, and solar power different from other kinds of
energy we use, like oil?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Think about all the electricity and fuel that your family uses. What changes could you
make to help conserve energy?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
The Future of Energy (cont.)
Directions: Look at the three pictures. Answer the questions.
Nature’s Power Sources
1. What three forms of natural energy are these?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which of these sources of energy are being used today?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Think of all the sources of energy you used today. How many times did you use electricity?
How did you get to school? Make a list.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Dogs on Display
More than 30,000 dog lovers packed Madison Square Garden
in New York City for the 128th Westminster Kennel Club Dog
Show.
Leigh Huff, 12, was one of 137 kids, ages ten to 18, who
participated in the show. He works with his standard poodle,
Stella. To compete, Leigh had to have at least eight first-place
wins at dog shows during the year!
In the main contest, judges look for the top dogs. But juniors
like Leigh are judged on their dog-handling skills. David Frei is
one of Westminster’s television announcers. He says the best
junior handlers “take great care of their dogs and have the skills
that allow the dogs’ strongest features to come out.” A junior
handler positions the dog so the judge can examine it, then runs
with the dog so the judge can see it move. During the entire
time in the ring, juniors work with their dogs and get them to stay
calm.
Leigh didn’t win a prize this year, but he isn’t upset. To him,
dog shows are simply fun. “I get to meet a lot of people, and I
like working with my dog,” Leigh says. He was already looking
forward to another show in Chicago, Illinois.
Kids also learn to be good sports. Will Dede, 12, became best
friends with Leigh after they met at a dog show last year. “I want
him to do as well as I do or even better,” says Will. “When I go
out, I have him to root for me.”

Name ____________________________________________________
Dogs on Display (cont.)
1. What event is this article about?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How old are the junior handlers?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What do junior handlers need to have done during the year in order to compete?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How is the junior part of the show judged differently from the main contest?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the junior handlers’ main responsibilities?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Was Leigh disappointed about not winning? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Would you ever want to enter your pet in a show? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Dogs on Display (cont.)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 10 Years of Best in Show Winners

Year Breed Dog’s Name
1997 Standard Schnauzer Parsifal Di Casa Netzer
1998 Norwich Terrier Fairewood Frolic
1999 Papillon Loteki Supernatural Being
2000 Spaniel (English Springer) Salilyn ’N Erin’s Shameless
2001 Bichon Frise Special Times Just Right
2002 Poodle (Miniature) Surrey Spice Girl
2003 Kerry Blue Terrier Torums Scarf Michael
2004 Newfoundland Darbydale’s All Rise Pouch Cove
2005 Pointer Kan-Point’s VJK Autumn Roses
2006 Bull Terrier Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid
2007 Spaniel (English Springer) Felicity’s Diamond Jim
1. What does this list show?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think best in show means?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What kind of dog breed won twice in the ten years shown?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you think about the names of the dogs on the list? How are they different from
the names of the dogs you know?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Make Lunch Fresher

On a recent Thursday, a long line of excited kids formed in
the cafeteria at Edmunds Elementary School. The students were
eager to try a tasty new treat—bright green pizza! “People liked
it,” says Elizabeth Brown. “They were spreading the word.”
Bright green pizza? It may sound like a science experiment
gone bad. It’s actually a fresh menu item made with locally grown
vegetables. The students were trying pesto pizza for the first time.
Pesto is a thick sauce made with garlic, cheese, and herbs.
Edmunds and other public schools in Burlington, Vermont are
part of a farm-to-school program. The program brings locally
grown fruits and vegetables to the cafeteria. The basil that the
students used to make pesto was picked that day at a nearby
farm.
At least 400 school districts in 23 states serve farm-fresh foods
for lunch. The program is good for local farmers who sell their
produce to the schools. It’s also good for kids’ health to eat more
fresh produce. Best of all, students seem to like it. Third-grader
Tian Berry says the food just tastes better: “It hasn’t been sitting
on the shelf for 10 days.”

Name ____________________________________________________
Make Lunch Fresher (cont.)
1. What was unusual about the new menu item served at Edmunds Elementary School?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What ingredient were many students trying for the first time?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is a farm-to-school program?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How many schools serve farm-fresh foods?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why are these programs good for kids?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Why are these programs good for farmers?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Would you be more willing to try a new fruit or vegetable if you knew it was picked at a
nearby farm the day before? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Make Lunch Fresher (cont.)
States with Farm-to-School Programs
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1. What two states on the West Coast have farm-to-school programs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think you would eat more fruits and vegetables if your school district participated
in the program? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What other things could schools do to get students to eat healthier?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

One Giant Leap

Frogs and toads first hopped on our planet 400 million
years ago. But do they have a future here? Scientists met in
Washington, D.C. last week to try to answer this question. They
came up with a plan that is one big leap toward saving these
animals.
Frogs and toads are amphibians. Amphibians are cold-blooded
animals that have a backbone. They live on both land and in
water. Many kinds of frogs are in danger of becoming extinct,
or dying out completely. A study in 2004 found that almost
2,000 kinds of amphibians are in serious trouble. Populations
around the world have dropped in the past 25 years. Many have
disappeared.
Several things could be hurting amphibians. The destruction
of forests and other native habitats where they live is probably
the biggest threat. Some researchers say that amphibians are
especially sensitive to pollution. Many of the animals live near
polluted water.
At the Washington, D.C. meeting, scientists created a plan to
help save amphibians. The plan will support governments that
take steps to protect important amphibian habitats.
Saving amphibians won’t be easy or cheap. Scientists think
that it could cost more than $400 million. It will take many years.
But there is hope.” We still have time to save these threatened
creatures,” says Claude Gascon of the World Conservation Union.

Name ____________________________________________________
One Giant Leap (cont.)
1. List two features of amphibians.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What does extinct mean?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why does the author use the phrase “one big leap” in the first paragraph?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Why do you think it matters if there are no more frogs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Do you think it is worth $400 million to save the frogs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Can you tell what the author’s opinion is by reading the article? How?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
One Giant Leap (cont.)
Directions: Look at the diagram. Answer the questions.
A B
C D
1. What does this diagram tell you?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think the picture in Box D means? Why do you think it would be a danger to
the frogs and toads?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Not only frogs and toads are affected by these changes in the environment. What other
type of animal might be harmed?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
A Business with Bite

Shay Hammond’s baked goods make her customers drool—but
they were probably drooling anyway. The 13-year-old business
owner makes and sells dog treats. Three stores in her hometown
of Olive Hill, Kentucky, carry Shay’s Bones and Biscuits. Last year,
the snacks earned $200.
Shay entered the biscuit business when she was 11. Her
loveable mutt, Pancake, was a loyal customer from the beginning.
Pancake was just a skinny pup when he gobbled up the first batch
of treats Shay ever made. In the past three years, her company
has grown, and so has Pancake. He happily helps in taste tests.
“We need to put him on a diet,” says Shay’s mom, Cindy.
The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship gave
Shay a $1,000 prize. She traveled to New York City for the awards
dinner. The busy baker even fetched new customers. “A dog
jumped up on my shoulder and grabbed the treat from me,”
Shay said.
Bones and Biscuits come in two flavors. Mutter Butter is made
with peanut butter. Chicken Lickin’ includes chicken broth. The
treats are made with all-natural ingredients and have drawn
some two-legged customers. “Whenever I sold them at school,
everybody would dip them in cheese,” she says. “Maybe I should
start selling them to people.”

Name ____________________________________________________
A Business with Bite (cont.)
1. How much money did Shay Hammond make in one year selling biscuits?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is one ingredient that Shay uses to make Mutter Butter dog treats?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How do you think Shay’s dog got his name?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. If you started a business, what type of business would you like to start?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Shay’s business is called Bones and Biscuits. What is another name she might have used?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Besides selling her dog treats, what other things do you think Shay has to do to keep her
business running?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Have you ever tasted a dog biscuit? If so, how did it taste? If not, how do you think it would
taste?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
A Business with Bite (cont.)
Directions: Look at the picture. Answer the questions.
1. The box above contains chocolate chip cookies for people only. What is one ingredient in
the cookies that you would not put in dog biscuits?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think artificial flavor and color are not as good as natural flavor and color?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Other than peanut butter and chicken-flavored dog biscuits, what is another flavor that
you think dogs might like?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Faster, Higher, Stronger

Unlikely heroes, strong comebacks, and brave athletes make
the Olympics a special event. The 2006 Games in Turin, Italy had
it all.
Japan’s Shizuka Arakawa won the women’s figure-skating
gold medal. It was Japan’s first medal at the Turin games and
its second Olympic figure-skating medal ever. American Sasha
Cohen held a slight lead going into the free skate, but Cohen
fell two times. She finished with a silver medal. “I tried hard,” she
said. “I have no regrets.”
Before the Olympics began, Americans thought that skier
Bode Miller would be the athlete to watch. But Miller failed to
win a medal in his first four races. Teammate Ted Ligety surprised
everyone when he finished first in the combined slalom-downhill
event. “It’s incredible,” he said. “I’m not very good in downhill.”
United States snowboarders ruled the slopes. Hannah Teter,
Seth Wescott, and Shaun White took home gold medals.
More than 2,500 athletes competed in the 2006 Winter Games.
Only 84 gold medals were awarded. In 1908, Baron Pierre de
Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, said, “The
most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to
participate.” That remains true to this day, whether you are a fan
cheering on the athletes or you are Japan’s new heroine, Shizuka
Arakawa.

Name ____________________________________________________
Faster, Higher, Stronger (cont.)
1. Where were the 2006 Winter Olympics held?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How many Olympic figure-skating medals has Japan won?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Who was the American figure skater who won the silver medal in Turin?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you think you learn by participating in sports?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the names of the American snowboarders who took home gold medals?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. If you could participate in the Olympics, what sport would you choose? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Why do you think it is possible to learn as much from failure as from success?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
Faster, Higher, Stronger (cont.)
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1. What does the shape of Italy look like to you?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think Turin was a good choice for the Winter Olympics?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is Italy’s capital?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Italian food is very popular. What is your favorite? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
A New Look at King

Every year in January, we celebrate the life of Martin Luther
King, Jr. A new book for grown-ups tells the story of King’s
difficult final months. It includes rare glimpses of King through
the eyes of his friends. The book is the third in a series by Taylor
Branch, a historian.
King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. He grew up when
many states had laws that kept black and white people apart.
The two groups could not use the same public bathrooms or go
to the same schools. Even when he was a child, King questioned
these unfair segregation laws.
King became a minister. His dream of equality for all and hope
for the poor drew people to him. King strongly believed in the
power of protest without violence. Many of his efforts led to great
change. In 1955, King led a protest in Montgomery, Alabama to
end separate seating on buses. Many African Americans refused
to ride the city’s buses. In 1956, the United States Supreme Court
banned separate seating.
King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He said
he accepted the award for “all men who love peace and
brotherhood.” Sadly, King did not live to see all of his dreams
come true. He was killed in April 1968. But he knew that the
power of dreams could change the world.

Name ____________________________________________________
A New Look at King (cont.)
1. Why do you think we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in January?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What are laws called that keep black people and white people apart?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. When people join together and refuse to buy something, or do something, it is called a
boycott. What did African Americans boycott in Montgomery in 1955?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How did that boycott help change the laws?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do you think Dr. King was chosen to win the Nobel Peace Prize?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you think all people should be treated equally? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
8. Why do you think Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
A New Look at King (cont.)
Directions: Look at the maps. Answer the questions.
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1. What is the purpose of having two maps here?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think two states are shaded?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Although Dr. King’s message of peace began in the South, do you think his ideas have
reached people throughout the United States? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Caring for Kids in Need

John, age 11, lives in New York City. To him, being poor means
having an empty refrigerator. Shannon, age 9, is from a farming
town in Mississippi. To her, being poor means barely being able
to see the blackboard because eyeglasses are too expensive.
Growing up poor changes life in many ways.
One out of every six children in the United States lives in
poverty. That means that these children don’t have enough
money to pay for basic needs like food, clothing, medical care,
and housing. Why are so many families poor? “Too many kids
have parents who either don’t have enough work or their work
doesn’t pay enough,” says William O’Hare. He works for the
Annie E. Casey Foundation, which studies poverty in the United
States.
Organizations around the country are fighting child poverty.
Some groups help families build houses. Others give away free
groceries.
Silento Thomas is a fourth-grader in Mississippi. He arrives at
school by 7 a.m. to eat a free breakfast. Later, he is served lunch.
Meals like these help many kids get enough to eat. But the meals
alone won’t solve the problem. Geoffrey Canada runs New York
City’s Harlem Children’s Zone. The group runs programs and an
elementary school for poor kids. “We’re working to lift kids out of
poverty,” says Canada. There is still a long way to go.

Name ____________________________________________________
Caring for Kids in Need (cont.)
1. How many children in the United States are poor?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What are some reasons why so many families are poor?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you think it is more expensive to live in New York City or a farming town in
Mississippi? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the purpose of the Annie E. Casey Foundation?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How do you think having an empty refrigerator would affect you in school?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What are two ways that the organizations in the story help families in need?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Think of one way to fight poverty that is not mentioned by the author.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Caring for Kids in Need (cont.)
Directions: Look at the graph. Answer the questions.
Smith Family Expenses For One Year (Family of Four)
Rent 9,600
Food 5,200
Heat,
Phone, 2,880
Electricty
Clothing 1,000
Child Care 2,400
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000
1. A family of four in the United States is considered to be living in poverty if it is making

less than $20,650 each year. If the Smith family makes $19,983 in a year, are they living in
poverty?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Looking at the graph, how much more money will the Smith family have to make to pay its
expenses for the year?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What might a family need money for that is not on the graph?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Animals at Work
A special visitor trotted into Michael Foote’s room last week at
the Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Petie, a pony, spent several
minutes with the 11-year-old. “When Petie came in, I wasn’t
feeling great,” Michael says. “But I got to pet him, and when he
left, I felt a lot better.”
Horses and other animals are trained to help sick people feel
better. Animals also assist people who have disabilities. Kristina
Adams gathered facts for the United States government about
animal helpers. “Animals have been used (to heal) people for
hundreds of years,” she says.
Animals help in many ways. Petie brings a smile to a patient’s
face. Some dogs are trained to guide blind people. Monkey
helpers can carry things for people in wheelchairs.
At Island Dolphin Care in Florida, one way dolphins help is
to reward kids for finishing their work in the center’s classroom.
Randy Kersh, 9, was born with Down syndrome, which affects the
way his brain works. He takes a long time to do things. But Randy
knows that if he finishes his work at the center, he can swim with
the dolphins.
Animals can’t help everyone in need. But they can be trained
to make some struggles a little bit easier. For Randy and others,
being with animals makes them happy. Trainers say that animals
enjoy the friendship, too!

Name ____________________________________________________
Animals at Work (cont.)
1. Why did Michael Foote get a special visitor?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Give three examples of animal helpers.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Explain how each of these animals helps people.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What condition does Randy Kersh have, and how does it affect him?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What does he get to do when he finishes his work?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What kind of benefit do the animals get from being helpers?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. If you needed one, what kind of animal helper would you choose to have? Why would you
pick this animal?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Animals at Work (cont.)
Directions: Look at the picture. Answer the questions.
1. What is this dog doing?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How do you think he learned how to do this?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Name two other ways the dog can help the boy. What two things can the boy do for the dog?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Celebrating Native Cultures

Thousands of people in colorful robes, nut necklaces, and
feather headdresses marched in Washington, D.C. recently. The
National Museum of the American Indian opened on September
21. People celebrated with American Indian stories, songs, and
dances.
American Indians have lived in North America for as many as
35,000 years. Plans for the museum began nearly 25 years ago.
“This monument to the first Americans is long overdue,” says
Daniel K. Inouye. He is one of the senators from Hawaii who
helped make the museum a reality.
The museum gives a feeling of what many American Indian
groups, called tribes, are like. There are about 8,000 objects on
display. Some are old. Others, like beaded sneakers, are newer.
“You have to see the arrowheads,” Sean Paulson, 7, reports.
“There are millions of them!”
Every part of the museum has an American Indian point of
view. Tribes from around the country helped in the planning. The
museum’s restaurant even serves American Indian-themed foods.
Menu items include buffalo chili and pumpkin cookies.
Nicole Soulier, 19, came from Wisconsin with members of her
tribe. “It’s very important to represent where I came from (and)
celebrate with all the other nations,” she says.

Name ____________________________________________________
Celebrating Native Cultures (cont.)
1. What were people celebrating in Washington, D.C.?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How long ago did people begin planning for an American Indian museum?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Who is Daniel K. Inouye? How did he play a part in the museum?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Give an example of one old and one new item on display.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do you think the museum’s organizers wanted to get tribes from around the country
involved in planning the museum?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you think that all the visitors to the museum are American Indians? Explain your
answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Celebrating Native Cultures (cont.)
Directions: Look at the museum directory. Answer the questions.
National Museum of the American Indian

Ground Level Second Level
Native Landscape Roanoke Museum Store
Entrance Restrooms
Potomac
Mitsitam Cafe
Chesapeake Museum Store
Main Theater
Restrooms
Third Level Fourth Level
Window On Collections: Bead Work, Our Universes Gallery
Dolls, Containers Our Peoples Gallery
Our Lives Gallery Window on Collections: Peace Medals,
Changing Exhibition Gallery—Native Animal Figures, Projectile Points
Modernism: The Art Of George Morrison Lelawi Theater
and Allan Houser Restrooms
Resource Center
Restrooms
1. On which levels might you see a movie about American Indian history?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Where do you think they have exhibits that change during the year?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. List three things that sound interesting to you. Explain why you chose those three.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

We Can Eat Smarter

The United States has a supersize problem. Many Americans
weigh too much! More than half the grown-ups in this country
weigh more than they should. There are two times as many adults
who are seriously overweight as there were 20 years ago. Doctors
are worried about this growing problem. Being very overweight is
dangerous. It can cause heart disease and other health problems.
How did so many people get out of shape? Nancy Krebs is
a doctor who works with kids. She says kids spend too much
time watching TV and not enough time doing physical activity,
like sports. Americans are eating out more than ever before.
Happy Meals and takeout pizzas are quick and tasty, but they are
fattening. They are also sold in sizes that are too big. Now, some
fast-food companies are offering choices that are lower in fat.
Lunches in public schools are including better foods. This year,
the government bought more than 973 million pounds of fruits
and vegetables for schools. Parents and kids are also making
changes. Danielle Bailey took part in the KidShape program in
California. “It taught me to eat more carrots, strawberries, and
grapes,” she says. “I also learned to go for more walks in the
park.” Now, Danielle feels great. Take good care of yourself, and
you will, too!

Name ____________________________________________________
We Can Eat Smarter (cont.)
1. How has the number of overweight adults changed over the past 20 years?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do doctors think more kids are out of shape today?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What kinds of things may be making it harder for kids and adults to eat right and get the
exercise they need?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What are fast food restaurants doing to help?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What are public schools doing to help?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. List three things you could do every day to improve your own health.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
We Can Eat Smarter (cont.)
Directions: Look at the pyramid. Answer the questions.

The United States Department of Agriculture created the MyPyramid for Kids to remind you to be
physically active and make healthy food choices. Every part of the symbol has a message.
1. Why do you think some of the stripes of the pyramid are wider at the bottom?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think the stripe labeled oils is so small?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you think the child running up the steps of the pyramid is supposed to remind
you to do?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Some Like It Hot

A bobcat sometimes leaps onto the roof of Paul and Carolyn
Zeiger’s house in Pima County, Arizona. As long as their dog is
inside, they don’t worry much. They enjoy living in the desert.
The Zeigers are not alone. From 1990 to 2003, Arizona’s
population increased 53 percent. People like the desert’s clean
air, warm weather, and open spaces. But are they harming the
environment that they love? Deserts are home to many kinds of
plants and animals. Each species has adapted to life in the desert.
But humans can cause great harm.
When people use too much groundwater, desert plants slowly
die. This means trouble for animals. When plants die, animals
cannot use them for food and shelter. Once a desert landscape
has been harmed, it recovers slowly. Chuck Huckleberry, the
administrator of Pima County, says that with so little rain, “it takes
centuries.”
Folks in Pima County are working together to save the desert.
Recently, voters agreed to spend $174 million to buy up and
conserve open land. Residents also follow rules for watering
gardens. Carolyn Zeiger grows only native plants. “I start them
with a little water, but soon they will survive on their own,” she
says.
With a little respect from the humans who live there, the desert
can survive on its own, too.

Name ____________________________________________________
Some Like It Hot (cont.)
1. How much did Arizona’s population increase between 1990 and 2003?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do so many people move there?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How are humans harming the desert landscape?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How does this affect animals?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What are Pima County residents doing to save the desert?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you think people should move to the desert even if the environment will be harmed?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What other desert states may be facing the same problems as Arizona?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
Some Like It Hot (cont.)
Top 10 Fastest-Growing States

State Population 2006 Population 2005 Difference Percent Change
Arizona 6,166,318 5,953,007 213,311 3.58%
Nevada 2,495,529 2,412,301 83,228 3.45%
Idaho 1,466,465 1,429,367 37,098 2.60%
Georgia 9,363,941 9,132,553 231,388 2.53%
Texas 23,507,783 22,928,508 579,275 2.53%
Utah 2,550,063 2,490,334 59,729 2.40%
North Carolina 8,856,505 8,672,459 184,046 2.12%
Colorado 4,753,377 4,663,295 90,082 1.93%
Florida 18,089,888 17,768,191 321,697 1.81%
South Carolina 4,321,249 4,246,933 74,316 1.75%
1. How does this chart support the article about the growing U.S. desert population?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which state on the list has the highest overall population?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Which two states saw their populations change by the same percentage?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you think state governments like to be on a fastest-growing population list? Why or

why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
The Missing Lynx

Recently, three Iberian lynx cubs were born in Doñana National
Park, in southern Spain. The cubs’ birth was cause for celebration.
It could be a big first step toward saving the species.
The new cubs and their parents are part of a captive-breeding
program. The cubs will one day be released into the wild. This
has never before been tried with cats. A similar program helped
save black-footed ferrets. But can it save the Iberian lynx?
In 1900, there were about 100,000 Iberian lynx in Spain and
Portugal. Today, there are thought to be fewer than 200 lynx living
in safe communities. The lynx is the world’s most endangered cat.
An environmental group called SOS Lynx put together a report
on the problem. It shows that loss of habitat and food are the
main causes of the lynx’s troubles.
The recent cub births in Spain are a major success. But if these
efforts don’t work, the Iberian lynx could be the first cat species
to die out since the saber-toothed tiger about 10,000 years ago.
Scientists are trying to make sure this doesn’t happen. They are
working to save the lynx’s habitat as well as boost the wild cat
population.
Sybille Klenzendorf of the World Wildlife Fund believes that
there is hope for the lynx. “If you fix the things that are wrong in
the wild, cats can come back pretty quickly,” Klenzendorf said.

Name ____________________________________________________
The Missing Lynx (cont.)
Directions: Answer the questions. You may look at the article.
1. What happened at Doñana National Park that was cause for celebration?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What will eventually happen to the cubs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why is the Iberian lynx the world’s most endangered cat?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What species was saved by a similar kind of breeding program they’re trying with the lynx?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Where does the Iberian lynx live?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What other cat species has already died out?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you think this program will work? What information in this article makes you think that?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
The Missing Lynx (cont.)
Where Is the Iberian Lynx Now?

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■ recent lynx sightings
1. In which country have there been the most lynx sightings?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. With so few lynx in the wild, do you think it’s easier or more difficult to keep maps like
these up to date?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Can you think of anything that you can do to help so that the lynx does not become extinct?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Too Young to Work

Valdemar Balderas was 12 when he began working in the fields
of Minnesota and North Dakota. He and his parents worked long
days in the heat. They picked weeds and cleared rocks. They
rarely got a day off.
Valdemar, now 14, lives in Eagle Pass, Texas. He still works in
the fields. Every April, his family goes north to begin months of
farmwork. “It’s hard,” Valdemar said. “At the end of the day, I feel
so tired.”
As many as 500,000 kids in the United States work on farms for
little pay. To help their families earn money, child farmworkers
often leave school for long stretches. More than half never
finish high school. The United States has a law meant to protect
working kids. But it does not apply to children who toil on farms.
The law allows kids as young as 12 to work many hours with their
families. They use knives and scissors made for adult hands. Many
are exposed to poisonous chemicals.
Some groups in the United States are working to move kids
out of the fields and back into the classrooms. One way is to raise
the amount of money their parents make. Santos Polendo, 19,
worked in the fields for ten years. For him, education is the ticket
to a better future. He will graduate high school in May. When he
has kids, he hopes they never work in the fields and “experience
what I experienced.”

Name ____________________________________________________
Too Young to Work (cont.)
1. In what states has Valdemar lived over the last two years?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What kind of work does his family do?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How many kids in the United States work on farms?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How can they attend school when they are working on a farm?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What does the word toil mean?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. How are people trying to help these children?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What do you think it would be like to be forced to leave school and go to work picking
weeds on a farm all day? Use details to describe what you think a typical day might be like.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Too Young to Work (cont.)
Directions: Look at the graph. Answer the questions.
Child Labor Around the World

An estimated 218 million children are engaged in child labor worldwide. Here are the regions with
the highest number of child workers.
Sub-Saharan 34
Africa 37
Eastern and 29
Southern Africa 34
West and 41
Central Africa 41
Middle East and 7
North Africa 9
15
South Asia
14
East Asia and 10 O Female
Pacific (excl. China) 11
O Male
Latin America 8
and Carribbean 11
0 10 20 30 40 50
Percentage of children aged 5–14 involved in child labor activities
1. What region of the world has the highest percentage of children working?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. In most of the regions, are there more boys or girls working? Why do you think that is?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How old do you think someone should be before they are asked to leave school and go to
work to help support their family?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

A New Deal on School Meals

Life at Odessa Kilpatrick Elementary is a little less sweet this
year. Teachers can’t reward students with candy. And kids are not
allowed to bring in sugary snacks to share with friends at lunch.
Texas has a new policy for healthful eating in schools. The
rules encourage meals that feature fruits and vegetables. Foods
packed with fat or sugar, including soft drinks and most candies,
are not allowed during the school day.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) says that 35
percent of the state’s elementary school students weigh too
much. Susan Combs leads the TDA. She made the new rules.
Many other states are changing their rules on foods allowed at
schools, too.
School officials want to get students excited about healthful
living. They held a recipe contest for students across the
state. Zach Kyler, a fifth-grader from Round Rock, won for best
breakfast. He used six kinds of fruit grown in Texas.
Combs says her state has a recipe for success: “If kids eat
healthy, then they will live a long, healthy life.”

Name ____________________________________________________
A New Deal on School Meals (cont.)
1. Why does the article state that life is a “little less sweet” at school this year?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why are they changing the rules about what kinds of foods can be eaten at school?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What percentage of the state’s elementary schoolchildren is overweight?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Who is Susan Combs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How are school officials getting kids excited about the new rules?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Can you think of something else that schools can do to encourage kids to eat healthy food?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. If your school had a healthy cooking contest, what kind of recipe would you want to whip
up? List some of the ingredients you would want your entry to include.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
A New Deal on School Meals (cont.)
Directions: Look at the recipe. Answer the questions.
Texas Department of Agriculture’s Kids Kitchen Corral Recipe Contest

Snack Category Winner: Jamie L. Taylor, age 10
Jamie’s Honey-Deluxe Granola Bars
Remember to always have an adult help you prepare this recipe.
Ingredients Preparation
⅓ cup honey Combine ingredients in large bowl and mix

well. Spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick
¼ cup oats cooking spray. Spread and press the mixture
¼ cup coconut evenly in the pan. Bake at 300°F in oven for
18–20 minutes. Cool to room temperature and
¼ cup chopped walnuts cut into 12 small bars. Makes 12 servings.
¼ cup cornflake crumbs Nutrition per serving
¼ cup slivered almonds Calories: 110; Total Fat: 6 grams; Saturated
¼ cup banana chips, broken into pieces Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 2 grams; Carbohydrates:
16 grams; Dietary Fiber: 2 grams; Sodium: 11
¼ cup ground cinnamon milligrams
1. What is the name of the recipe? In which category did it win?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Besides the list of ingredients, what else in the kitchen would you need to prepare it?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think this recipe provides nutrition information? How might that be helpful?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
These Robots Are Wild

Most people think cockroaches are pests. Roy Ritzmann thinks
they are incredible creatures. “They’re fast,” he says. “They’re
easy to take care of.”
Ritzmann is a biologist at Case Western Reserve University in
Ohio. His enthusiasm for insects is a big part of his job. Ritzmann
is helping other scientists at the school build robots. They are
using bugs as models!
Robot designers want to make better machines by using the
features that help animals survive. Scientists have taken a special
interest in insects, lobsters, and scorpions. These critters are very
good at adapting to different habitats. Their many legs help them
travel easily over uneven ground.
The new robots may use their animal-like behaviors to find
people who are trapped. They will be able to climb, crawl, or
swim into dangerous places.
Creepy, crawly robots may one day work for NASA and the
United States military. RoboLobsters will search for underwater
weapons called mines. Robots based on scorpions and roaches
will explore Mars. They will be able to go places that current
wheeled rovers cannot.
So have some respect for humble bugs. They might help us
make major discoveries someday.

Name ____________________________________________________
These Robots Are Wild (cont.)
1. Who is Roy Ritzmann and what does he do?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why are scientists interested in using bugs as models for robots?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What kinds of buglike skills might help robots rescue people who are in trouble?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Where might these robots be sent?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do you think robots do certain jobs instead of humans?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What kind of robot currently explores Mars?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Did this article make you think differently about insects, scorpions, and lobsters? Why or
why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
These Robots Are Wild (cont.)
Directions: Look at the pictures. Answer the questions.
1. From looking at the pictures, do you see any part of the robot that scientists may have
already taken from the bug model?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think scientists could add to the robot to make it more buglike?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What other kind of animal might be a good model for a robot? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Gaining Ground
The jaguar is the largest cat to live in North and South America.
But the cat’s strength and size cannot protect its habitat, or place
where it lives.
Jaguars once roamed the southwestern United States. But by
the early 1900s, the spotted cat seemed to disappear from the
United States. Some were killed by hunters for their fur.
The big cat has lost more than half its habitat in the last 100
years. Its habitat continues to shrink, as forests are replaced by
roads, farms, and homes.
Scientists are changing the way they think about big-
cat preserves, or protected areas. In the past, they created
separate small preserves for different populations of jaguars.
But jaguars need wide-open spaces to hunt for food. The
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is working to create a large
connected jaguar preserve. The 2,000-mile strip of land would
stretch from Mexico to Argentina.
The WCS has asked local governments to protect the land.
“We’re a little bit ahead of the game,” says Luke Hunter of the
WCS. “There are still huge tracts of land where jaguars can
roam.”
In northern Mexico, near the border with the United States,
three conservation groups are raising money to buy 50,000 acres
of land. Experts hope that this will encourage jaguars to roam
back to their American home.

Name ____________________________________________________
Gaining Ground (cont.)
1. Where was the jaguar’s original habitat?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What part of the United States did the jaguar call home?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How much of the jaguar’s habitat has disappeared over the last century?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What is a preserve?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How are scientists changing the way they are thinking about creating preserves?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Where is the preserve that the Wildlife Conservation Society is working to create?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What is the goal of the conservation groups?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
Gaining Ground (cont.)
Directions: Look at the pictures and chart. Answer the questions.
What’s the Difference?
Jaguar Leopard
Adults weigh 200–250 pounds and are about Smaller than the jaguar, leopards vary in
six feet long, making it the largest cat in North length from three feet to six feet and weigh
America. 80–150 pounds.
Prey includes forest and river animals like Prey includes antelopes, zebra, hares, birds,
deer, wild pigs, sloth, and fish. and small carnivores.
Lives mainly in forests and swamplands in Lives throughout Africa, and from the Arabian
Mexico, Central, and South America. Peninsula through Asia to Korea.
Excellent swimmers, good climbers, and fast Excellent swimmers, good climbers, and fast
runners. runners.
Its rosettes, or roselike markings, are larger Its coat has smaller rosettes, and they usually
and darker than the leopard’s. don’t have spots inside.
The International Species Information Service The International Species Information Service
lists 292 living worldwide. lists 459 living worldwide.
1. List three differences between the jaguar and the leopard.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. List three similarities between the jaguar and the leopard.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you think is the easiest way to tell the two cats apart?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Saving Their Native Language

Walk past the music room at Lost City School near Hulbert,
Oklahoma. You will hear some unusual sounds! The kids shout
that Old MacDonald had a wa-ga and a ka-wo-nu on his farm.
The words mean cow and duck in Cherokee.
In the building next door, kindergarten kids learn everything
from colors to numbers in Cherokee. The children are called by
their American Indian names. The kids speak only in Cherokee for
most of the day. They are the first public school students to do
this in the United States.
Cherokee is one of 170 or so American Indian languages in the
United States. All of the languages are in danger of disappearing.
About 99 out of every 100 people who can speak and understand
Cherokee well are over the age of 45.
“If we don’t learn Cherokee, our grandsons won’t know it,”
says Crystal Braden, age 13. Lost City School has 100 students.
Crystal is one of the 65 students who are Cherokee. Her class just
finished making a video to teach Cherokee words for colors to
younger students.
Kristian Smith, 10, is learning words from his little brother, Lane,
who is in kindergarten. “It’s weird,” says Kristian. “I’m the one
who should be teaching him!”
The Cherokee word ga-du-gi describes the school’s work. It
means “working together to help the community.” November
is National American Indian Heritage Month. But at Lost City
School, everyone works together all year long.

Name ____________________________________________________
Saving Their Native Language (cont.)
1. What are they teaching at the Lost City School?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How many American Indian languages are there in the United States?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why are the languages in danger of disappearing?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Why do you think so many non-Cherokee students attend this school?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What is one project that helps older students teach younger students?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What other things do you think they might do at Lost City School to teach students about
the Cherokee culture?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Give examples of two Cherokee words and their meanings.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Saving Their Native Language (cont.)
Directions: Look at the map. Answer these questions.
American Indian Languages Spoken in the United States Today
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1. Which American Indian language is spoken most in the United States?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Where else besides Oklahoma do they speak Cherokee?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think it’s important for the American Indian population to teach their
language to children?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Small Wonders
Recently, Matt Savage gave a jazz concert in Manchester, New
Hampshire. But the 11-year-old wasn’t playing with people his
own age. He performed with two grown-ups. The band even
played music that Matt wrote.
“It’s weird to have your boss be an 11-year-old,” says John
Funkhouser, who plays in Matt’s band. Matt taught himself to read
music when he was six and has made five CDs!
Like Matt, many kids are born with a special talent. When they
were very little, Junichi Ono, 13, and Alexandra, 18, found that
they had artistic skills. But they still work hard to be good at what
they do.
Robert Butterworth is a psychologist. He says that “to do well
at something creative, kids need to have helpful parents and to
try things out over and over.” He also says kids should try many
activities, “and not just the ones they’re good at.”
Even kids who don’t seem to have a special talent can grow
up to be successful. Walt Disney was once told that he doodled
too much. Later, his drawings helped him create famous cartoon
characters.
For many creative kids, art or music is just one part of their
lives. “Every once in a while, Matt has a concert, and he is a star,”
says Diane Savage, Matt’s mom. “But when he comes home, he’s
just a regular member of the family.”

Name ____________________________________________________
Small Wonders (cont.)
1. What special talent does Matt Savage have?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What talents did he show when he was six years old?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What advice does Robert Butterworth give parents of talented children?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How is Walt Disney’s success different from that of kids whose talents were recognized at
an early age?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Do you think it is good that Matt’s family treats him as “just a regular member of the
family” when he is not performing? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Name a talent you have that you would like to work on as you get older. How will you
improve your skills?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Small Wonders (cont.)
Directions: Read the chart. Answer these questions.
Other Amazing “Small Wonders”

Name Subject Country Achievement
At age 11, became the youngest student to enter the
Ruth Lawrence Math England
University of Oxford in England.
Computer United Started working on electronics in fifth grade. Went on
Steve Wozniak
Science States to create the world’s first desktop computer: Apple I.
Tathagat Avatar Graduated from high school at age 9; earned college
Science India
Tulsi degree at age 10.
Started reading and writing at age 2, became India’s
Akrit Jaswal Medicine India youngest university student at age 12. Performed an
operation at age 17.
United Received a special Academy Award at age 7 for her
Shirley Temple Movies
States acting, singing, and dancing achievements in movies.
Some of his early works are from age 8; showed his first
Pablo Picasso Art Spain
works at age 13.
Wolfgang Wrote his first symphony at age 8; eventually wrote over
Music Austria
Amadeus Mozart 600 pieces of music.
United Won his first Optimist International Junior tournament
Tiger Woods Golf
States at age 8.
1. Who is the only musical composer on the list?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Who do you think is studying to be a doctor? How would you know that?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. If you were able, do you think you would like to go to college at the age you are now? Why
or why not? What kinds of problems do you think you might face?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Word Wizards
Erik Zyman-Carrasco, 12, had spent hundreds of hours studying
new words. He took a deep breath and spelled z-e-p-h-y-r, which
means a gentle wind. He raised his fists in joy when he spelled
the word correctly. He had won!
Erik is one of 264 champs in regions across the United States.
These kids are invited to compete in the National Spelling
Bee. More than 10 million kids take part in spelling bees every
year. The National Spelling Bee is held in Washington, D.C.
Superspellers in grades eight and lower participate. The finalists
face off in front of 1,000 people and a large TV audience. The top
prize is $12,000. One year, an 8-year-old competed!
Spelling champs study up to 15 hours each week. They
memorize some hard words. But most kids also learn language
tricks and clues that help them figure out how to spell unfamiliar
words.
For many spellers, winning isn’t everything. Jonathan Cohen
didn’t do well enough in Rhode Island’s bee to win a trip to the
nationals. But he plans to try again next year. “I really like how
there are so many different ways to spell a word,” he said. “That
challenge makes it fun.”

Name ____________________________________________________
Word Wizards (cont.)
1. How many regional champions are invited to compete at the National Spelling Bee?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How many kids participate in spelling bees every year?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What grades are represented at the National Spelling Bee?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What word did Erik spell correctly to win his regional bee?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How do participants study for a spelling bee?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you think you could become a better speller by studying this way? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you think you might want to try to get to the National Spelling Bee? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________
Word Wizards (cont.)
Directions: This chart shows the percentage of the 286 students who came from the fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, and eighth grades who made it to the 2007 National Spelling Bee. Look at the chart.
Answer the questions.
Who Makes It to the National Spelling Bee?

50
40
30
20
10
0
Fourth Graders Fifth Graders Sixth Graders Seventh Graders Eighth Graders
Data from the 2007 National Spelling Bee

1. Which grade sent the most kids to the National Spelling Bee in 2007? Do you think that’s
true most years? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. If ninth graders could enter, how do you think they would do? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you think it’s fair to have eighth graders compete against fourth graders? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Appendix B
Student Achievement Graph

# of Number of Questions Correctly Answered
Passage Title
Questions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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Directions: Read the article.

Mickey Gets Fit

18 #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking © Shell Education

Mickey Gets Fit (cont.)

Directions: Answer these questions. You may look at the article.

Mickey Gets Fit (cont.)

Which Would You Choose?

20 #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking © Shell Education

Coral Reef Rescue

© Shell Education #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking 21

Coral Reef Rescue (cont.)

Directions: Answer these questions. You may look at the article.

1. Why are coral reefs in danger?

4. What happens when corals die?

5. How does warmer water temperature affect coral reefs?

22 #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking © Shell Education

Coral Reef Rescue (cont.)

How Are Coral Reefs Formed?

Coral Polyp Coral Colony Coral Reef

1. What is a coral polyp?

2. How do the polyps turn into a coral colony?

© Shell Education #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking 23

24 #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking © Shell Education

Farm-Fresh Science (cont.)

Directions: Answer these questions. You may look at the article.

1. What do you think the “U” in Veggie U is supposed to stand for?

2. What does the program teach kids?

3. Name three things that kids in the program get to do.

4. Who started the program?

© Shell Education #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking 25

Farm-Fresh Science (cont.)

Directions: Look at the chart. Answer the questions.

What Part of the Plant Are We Eating, Anyway?

1. Into how many categories can vegetables be split?

2. Which vegetables are really flowers?

3. Make a list of your top 10 favorites from this list.

26 #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking © Shell Education

© Shell Education #50243—Comprehension and Critical Thinking 27

Back in Orbit (cont.)

Directions: Answer these questions. You may look at the article.

1. What does ISS stand for?

2. What is the fewest number of astronauts ever on board the ISS?

3. What was Atlantis’s mission?

4. How many members are there on this shuttle crew?

5. What did the astronauts do while they were at the ISS?

6. What is NASA planning for the future of its shuttle program?

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Back in Orbit (cont.)

Directions: Read the list. Answer the questions.

Some Surprising Facts About the International Space Station

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It’s Asthma Season

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It’s Asthma Season (cont.)

Directions: Answer these questions. You may look at the article.

2. How many kids in the United States have the disease?

4. What happens during an asthma attack?

6. What do some kids carry with them in case of an asthma attack?

It’s Asthma Season (cont.)

Directions: Look at the list. Answer the questions.

Asthma Capitals, 2007

1. Atlanta, Georgia 6. Grand Rapids, Michigan

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