May/June 2018
An overview of the current issue, including featured skills, activity sheets, videos, and more for every article and story. Explore each individual article below to get its resources.
In 1940, 19-year-old Ben Kamm escaped the Warsaw ghetto and joined a group of partisans in their fight against the Nazis. His story, both tragic and inspiring, is sure to move your students.
main ideas
social studies: World War II, the Holocaust
lesson plan, lower-Lexile article, audio versions, video: “Behind the Scenes,” Core Skills Workout, activity sheets, quiz, questions for ELLs
What makes something valuable? Students will explore this question as they read an article about collectible toys and a personal essay about a beloved necklace.
synthesizing
social studies: economics
lesson plan, lower-Lexile article, audio versions, Core Skills Workout, activity sheets, quiz, questions for ELLs
A girl’s love of music connects her to her family in this poignant story by Nora Raleigh Baskin. Featuring a character created by Gia H. of Hudson, Ohio, the winner of this year’s Create a Character Contest!
character
social-studies: Syria, immigration
lesson plan, audio version, Core Skills Workout, quiz, activity sheets, vocabulary slideshow
Our thought-provoking biographical play follows scientist and nature writer Rachel Carson in her battle to expose the truth about the pesticide DDT.
theme
lesson plan, Core Skills Workout, activity sheets, research kit, quiz
Should texting while walking be against the law? Students will read arguments on both sides of the debate and take a stand.
main ideas and supporting evidence, opinion writing
lesson plan, lower-Lexile article, Spanish-language article, essay kit, opinion-essay toolkit, quiz
In each issue, our Vocab Lab celebrates the weird, wild, and wonderful world of words. Check out our fun, vocabulary-boosting activities below. And maybe one of your students will be our next Word Nerd!
vocabulary, context clues, multiple-meaning words
whole-issue glossary
Students use our delightful infographic about camels to write a letter convincing their parents to let them bring a camel along on summer vacation.
main idea and supporting details
lesson plan, guided-writing activity
Poet Ofelia Zepeda celebrates the power of the ocean’s sound.
interpreting text
lesson plan, audio version, activity sheets, quiz
Our Grammar Cop activities in each issue will help your students become grammar experts.
subject-verb agreement
activity sheet
Students will learn words related to determination as they read about Kathryn “Tubby” Johnston, the first girl to play Little League.
vocabulary
Download All Activities
Download All Quizzes