March/April 2020

From the Super Science Archives 

This 4-minute video from Scholastic’s classroom magazine “Super Science” provides a great explanation of the different types of hibernation and why certain animals take their winter slumbers.

Watch This

For coverage of last year’s fattest bear context, and to hear from a park ranger in Katmai National Park and Preserve, watch this 3-minute CBS This Morning clip. 

Check This Out

Check out Holly and her competition in this slideshow from Katmai National Park’s 2019 Fat Bear Week. Your students will be charmed by these amazing photographs of the brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve as they attempt to eat as much as they possibly can before winter.

Read These Fun Facts 

Learn more about hibernation with National Geographic Kids’ 10 Fascinating Facts About Hibernation.

Connect This Story to a Poem 

What does Holly the bear’s emergence from hibernation have in common with this issue’s poem, “Make up your mind, March!”? They both herald the arrival of spring. Ask your students to share the signs of spring they find within each text--and in the world around them. 

Enter Space Place

Take your students to this NASA website to explore some of  the terms in “Attack From Outer Space.” From this page, you’ll find helpful links to information on the various parts of the solar system.

Watch This 

For more clarification on the different types of space rocks, share this animated 2.5-minute video with your students. 

Explore This 

Take your students on an interactive trip through the solar system! After clicking the “Start” button, use your mouse to zoom in or change direction for a complete look at how the planets, moons, stars and rocks are aligned. Click on any planet or moon you see for more background information!

Watch This 

The article mentions the asteroid that led to dinosaur extinction, but your students might be surprised to learn that one type of dinosaur actually survived. To give your students a more detailed look into this major event, play this 3-minute animated video from the Natural History Museum.

Explore This 

The two events in Russia are not the only recent instances of space attacks. Take a few minutes to guide your students through this map of fireballs in the past 30 years. Zoom in to see where your nearest fireball event took place.

Check It Out

This map shows all the countries where Smile Train has performed cleft surgeries. Click on a country to learn more about its people and how many Smile Train doctors are currently there to help children. 

Teach This

Ella decided to contribute to Smile Train by holding a lemonade stand. Ask your class to brainstorm other ways they can get involved and make a difference in their community. For more ideas, watch this 3-minute video about creative ways to hold a fundraiser.

Learn More 

Learn all about author Derek Munson and the inspiration behind “Enemy Pie” in this insightful interview! 

Teach This 

We all know what it’s like to have a hard time getting along with someone. In case their recipe of Enemy Pie doesn’t work, share this article with your students to help them understand what it means to be a good friend. 

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Sometimes bullying is the reason kids are enemies and not friends. We all have a part to play in addressing bullying; this 4-minute video captures important dialogue between parents and kids.

Check This Out 

Looking for ways to be more inclusive in the classroom? Take a look at Teaching Tolerance’s Mix It Up at Lunch Day campaign. This website is full of information, activities, and resources to help foster inclusivity at lunchtime and bring Mix It Up at Lunch Day to your school.

Learn More

We’re not the only ones to tell the story of Martina the cockroach. Find out why author Carmen Agra Deedy ended up writing Martina’s story in a children’s book, and what her advice is for young writers in this wonderful interview.

Celebrate Earth Day 

This exhaustive collection of science experiments, activities, videos and printable resources will help you include an Earth Day lesson for your students in April.

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What happens to plastic water bottles when we take them off the shelves? This kid-friendly 4-minute video explains the three most common paths a water bottle may take after someone is done drinking from it.

Would You Drink This?

From the Storyworks Archives, we bring you and your students this fun infographic. After going through all the details, ask your students: Would you drink filtered water leftover from your toilet?!

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Your students will love seeing Neijae in action in this 3-minute video from “Now This.” Building on the article, Neijae explains how she was determined to reach her goal, despite being the youngest and only girl to try!

Fun Fact 

While Neijae is the world’s youngest barber, the oldest barber to ever cut hair lived to be 108 years old! Anthony Mancinelli cut hair for 96 years in New York City, starting when he was only 12. 

Teach This 

One reason why Neijae has been so successful is that she set a very clear goal for herself. This can be tricky to do, which is why we’re digging up this great resource for teaching your students how to form SMART goals. 

Learn About Goal-Setting 

This animated video from Innoventure Jr. goes over the steps to setting and achieving goals. 

More Poetry by Beverly McLoughland 

Watch these short videos to enjoy two more poems by this issue’s poet. “Special Delivery” uses personification to talk about the sun, and “Danger! Chicks Hatching” celebrates another springtime indicator.

Watch This 

Your students will love learning more about personification with this foot-tapping animated video from The Bazillions. Or if you prefer a shorter, non-musical-number approach, try this short video instead.

Read This 

Share Signs That Spring Has Sprung from LiveScience and ask your students to add other signs of spring’s arrival to the list.

Listen to This 

Hear what a robin sounds like with these recordings from Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology.