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The Mini Page Guide Activities
For use by teachers and parents at home and at school. Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page´s content and offer activities that will help your students reach them.
The Mini Page Guide — 2007 Activities
Issue 1. Dec. 30-Jan. 5: 2007 CALENDAR
The Mini Page looks at some fun and important anniversaries coming up in 2007. It is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts and 50th anniversary of the launch of the Space Race and Sputnik I. Jamestown was settled 400 years ago, and George Washington was born 275 years ago. Mark your 2007 Mini Page calendar for important dates throughout the year.
Issue 2. Jan. 6-12: CROSSING BRIDGES
The Mini Page, in cooperation with the National Building Museum, presents an issue about five of the most prominent types of bridges. Find out how bridges work from this issue, based on an interview with a top bridge engineer.
Issue 3. Jan. 13-19: OUR FIRST AMENDMENT
The Mini Page collaborates with the National Archives and the Bill of Rights Institute in introducing our important First Amendment. Find out why it is so important and what it means for kids.
Issue 4. Jan. 20-26: THE SEVEN CONTINENTS
Enjoy an introduction to the seven continents with maps and seven interesting facts about each one. The issue is a great introduction for kids who are beginning to study the lands we live on.
Issue 5. Jan. 27-Feb. 2: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOY SCOUTS
The Boy Scouts was founded 100 years ago in England and has since spread throughout the world. Learn about the history of this organization, and about some of the differences between the Scouting program then and now.
Issue 6. Feb. 3-9: BLACK HISTORY SITES
The Mini Page celebrates Black History Month with an overview of some of the National Park sites of special interest to African-Americans. Relive some of the most courageous moments in American history.
Issue 7. Feb. 10-16: THE SECOND AND THIRD AMENDMENTS
Working with the National Archives and The Bill of Rights Institute, The Mini Page introduces kids to the Second Amendment with an issue based on the times that the Second and Third Amendment were written. Find out about the words kids show and the background of both amendments.
Issue 8. Feb. 17-23: A KID'S GUIDE TO BUSINESS
As many as 80 percent of new businesses fail. Many experts think that kids should know the basic good business practices at an early age. The Mini Page works with an expert, Lecturer Lawrence Gelburd of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Issue 9. Feb. 24-March 2: THE POLAR BEAR
The polar bear is in trouble! Polar bears spend most of their time on ice in the Arctic seas. But this ice is melting so rapidly, it is threatening the existence of the whole species of polar bears. Bears are drowning and starving. Experts believe that if we don't do something now, polar bears could disappear within 35 years, and polar bears could be extinct in 100 years. But experts say it is not too late. We can fix this if we act now.
Issue 10. March 3-9: NEWSPAPER NEWS HOUNDS
Using cartoons of news hounds, The Mini Page introduces kids to the many jobs at a newspaper. Find out what editors, graphic artists, editorial writers and many other news hounds do.
Issue 11. March 10-16: THE FOURTH & FIFTH AMENDMENTS
Bill of Rights (Amendments Four and Five) We continue our series, working with the National Archives and the Bill of Rights Institute. The Fourth Amendment limits searches and seizures, and the Fifth Amendment grants a fair trial by jury, protection against being tried for the same crime twice, protection against self-incrimination, protection of property rights, and the right to a fair price for property if the government takes it away.
Issue 12. March 17-23: HELLO, SPEAKER PELOSI
Meet Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We celebrate National Women's History Month with a story about a record-setting woman in Congress, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the first woman to be speaker of the House of Representatives.
Issue 13.
March 24-30:
MUSIC MAKERS
The Mini Page celebrates Music in Our Schools Month with notes about musical instruments. This issue explores how strings, wind instruments and drums create their good vibrations.
Issue 14.
March 31-April 6:
MEET BEATRIX POTTER
The Mini Page celebrates spring with a story about Beatrix Potter, author of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." The Mini Page also hops over to visit some famous rabbits.
Issue 15.
April 7-13: THE SIXTH, SEVENTH & EIGHTH AMENDMENTS
The Mini Page continues its series on the Bill Of Rights in cooperation with the National Archives with a story about the Sixth Amendment, dealing with the rights of people accused of a crime; the Seventh Amendment, which limits the power of a judge to change a jury's decision; and the Eighth Amendment, which says that excessive bail cannot be charged and also prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
Issue 16.
April 14-20: MEET AUTHOR SUSAN PATRON
The Mini Page celebrates Library Week by interviewing 2007 Newbery Medal winner Susan Patron and 2007 Caldecott Medal winner David Wiesner.
Issue 17.
April 21-27: GREEN HOUSES
The Mini Page works with the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., with a story about green houses. Architects and builders across the country are thinking about ways to save energy and our national resources by building homes using environmentally friendly methods and materials.
Issue 18.
April 28-May 4: AMERICA'S 400th ANNIVERSARY
The Mini Page celebrates Jamestown's 400th anniversary with an issue about the first permanent English settlement in America, including the story of how American democracy traces its roots to Jamestown, and how cultural diversity was an important part of the Jamestown settlement.
Issue 19.
May 5-11:
MAMMAL MOMS
The Mini Page celebrates Mother's Day with a story about wild animal mothers. Mammals are the only class of animal where parents actually do much teaching.
Issue 20.
May 12-18: THE NINTH & TENTH AMENDMENTS
This is the final installment in our series about the Bill of Rights.
The issue explores the Ninth Amendment, which says that certain rights given to the government shall not deny other rights retained by the people; and the l0th Amendment, which says that the states or the people reserve any powers not given by the Constitution to the national government.
Issue 21.
May 19-25: SAFETY IN THE SUN
Malignant melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, is now 18 times more prevalent than it was in the 1930s. This is due partly to the fashion of tanning and partly to the depletion of the ozone layer. The Mini Page looks at ways kids can stay safe in the sun during the hot summer months.
Issue 22.
May 26-June 1: MEMORIAL DAY
The Mini Page celebrates Memorial Day with a visit to the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. Kids learn about that long-ago war, along with remembering some favorite songs and poems that came out of World War I.
Issue 23.
June 2-8: FATHER'S DAY
The Mini Page celebrates Father's Day with some children’s books about dads. The Mini Page shares some ideas for choosing books about dads.
Issue 24.
June 9-15:
HOW BANKS WORK
No, the bills you put in or deposit are not the same bills you get out when you make a withdrawal. The Mini Page goes inside a bank to find out about the people who work there and the jobs they do.
Issue 25.
June 16-22:
SWIM TEAMS
Lots of kids are participating in swim teams during the summer months. The Mini Page talks with USA Swimming, the governing organization for swim teams, and two heroes in the pool: Jim Ellis, the subject of the recent feature movie “Pride,” and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
Issue 26.
June 23-29:
HURRAY FOR RIVERS
Taking care of our rivers is a big part of environmentalism. The Mini Page looks at how rivers are kept healthy and clean, and how this affects all of us.
Issue 27,
June 30-July 6:
HOT DOG! IT'S FOURTH OF JULY
Independence Day is celebrated in The Mini Page with a story about the all-American hot dog. Readers will learn how they’re made, where they came from and how they became an American standard, especially on July 4.
Issue 28,
July 7-13: NATIONAL PARKS APLENTY
The Mini Page looks inside America’s national parks system, its history, and the people who make the parks fun destinations for kids and their parents.
Issue 29, July 14-20: THE LIFE OF A COWBOY
The Mini Page investigates what life is like for modern cowboys and how this profession has changed over the years.
Issue 30, July 21-27: UP, UP AND AWAY!
Hot air ballooning is a growing sport. The Mini Page looks at modern hot air balloons and at the history of this form of flight.
Issue 31, July 28-Aug. 3: TRAVELING BY TRAIN
As many people wrap up their summer with a vacation, The Mini Page takes a trip on the train. We study the history of passenger trains and today’s inter-city railroad service, along with hobos and workers on a train.
Issue 32, Aug. 4-10: DOG PARKS
With strict leash laws in most cities, many dog owners are choosing to let their pets run free at dog parks across America. The Mini Page explains good dog park etiquette and shows how much fun your canine can have at one.
Issue 33, Aug. 11-17: PRESIDENTS’ EDUCATION
Save your report cards, kids -— they might be in a museum someday. The Mini Page works with the National Archives and 12 presidential libraries to explore educational facts about our last 12 presidents.
Issue 34, Aug. 18-24: THERAPY HORSES
Therapists sometimes use horseback riding to help disabled kids and adults. The Mini Page looks at these programs and the horses used in them.
Issue 35,
Aug. 25-31:
RESEARCH RESOURCES
With school on the horizon, some kids might need reminders about the best ways to do research for homework projects. The Mini Page offers guidance about using the Internet for research and finding a wealth of information in the library.
Issue 36,
Sept. 1-7:
WAYS WE ARE ALIKE
As kids welcome new students to their school, or become the new kid themselves, it's valuable to remember how much we're all alike. The Mini Page offers some ideas for focusing on our similarities and being kind to each other as school gets underway.
Issue 37,
Sept. 8-14:
MATH CAN BE FUN!
Math can be so much more than just another subject in school. The Mini Page explores ways to make math fun and less intimidating, and highlights ways we use math all the time.
Issue 38,
Sept. 15-21:
SETTLING IN AMERICA
The Mini Page celebrates Citizenship Day, Sept. 17, with an issue about immigration. We take a look at the history of immigration and the current issues for our country and its immigrants.
Issue 39,
Sept. 22-28:
HOLA PUERTO RICO
The Mini Page commemorates Hispanic History Month with an issue about the U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Issue 40,
Sept. 29-Oct. 5:
ANIMAL SHELTERS
What do animal shelters do? The Mini Page examines the different ways that shelters help animals: medical care, finding homes, spaying and neutering, and more.
Issue 41,
Oct. 6-12: DUCK MIGRATION
Cold weather's coming, and it's time for the ducks to fly south. The Mini Page takes a close look at their journey.
Issue 42,
Oct. 13-19:
VIRUSES AND BACTERIA
With winter coming, it's important to get good habits started for staying healthy and in school. The Mini Page talks about germs and how we can stay well.
Issue 43, Oct. 20-26: MYSTERIOUS MUMMIES (Halloween)
With Halloween right around the corner, it's time to peer into the history of mummies. Turns out they're not so scary after all.
Issue 44, Oct. 27-Nov. 2: A BOOK’S LOOK
Children’s Book Week is in November. The Mini Page looks at the history of book illustrations and some famous illustrators who led the way.
Issue 45, Nov. 3-9: AMERICA’S WARRIOR-CITIZENS
For Veterans Day, The Mini Page examines the role of the Reserve forces, particularly the Army Reserve, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Issue 46, Nov. 10-16: QUILT STORIES
Quilts do so much more than keep us warm! The Mini Page looks at the stories that quilts tell and how these pieces of art helped slaves find their way to shelter in 19th-century America.
Issue 47, Nov. 17-23: KIDS GIVING BACK
Thanksgiving is a great time to do for others. The Mini Page finds kids who are giving of themselves to help others.
Issue 48, Nov. 24-30: LET’S DANCE!
Dance isn’t just fun, it’s good exercise. The Mini Page looks at the history and origins of dance, along with how dance is used in schools for physical education and learning.
Issue 49, Dec. 1-7: UNUSUAL HOLIDAY GIFTS
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we make or give of ourselves. The Mini Page offers some ideas for holiday gifts.
Issue 50, Dec. 8-14: ANIMALS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Certain creatures -— reindeer, donkeys, cardinals -— are always associated with the holiday season and winter. We learn more about some of these favorite winter animals and hear a few legends surrounding them.
Issue 51, Dec. 15-21: AIRLINE TRAVEL HISTORY
Based on a new exhibit at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, this issue of The Mini Page explores the history of airline travel.
Issue 52, Dec. 22-28: CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Glass Christmas ornaments weren’t used until the 1800s. Most glass ornaments were hand-blown in Germany before World War II, when Americans began mass-producing them. The Mini Page takes a look at the history of these beautiful tree decorations.
Issue 53, Dec. 29-Jan. 4: Resolutions for EveryBODY
It’s time to think about New Year’s resolutions. The Mini Page offers some resolutions for a healthier body in 2008, including fitness, nutrition and safety tips.
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