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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 — 2009 Activities
Issue 37, Sept. 12-18: Citizenship Day/Constitution Week
The Mini Page celebrates citizenship and our Constitution with an issue about the importance of the media in our society. We’ll introduce the idea of the media as “watchdogs” for our government and talk about how media are changing, including newspapers.
Issue 36, Sept. 5-11: Henry Hudson
Four hundred years ago, Henry Hudson sailed up the river that would eventually bear his name. The Mini Page tells us about Hudson, the nation that sent him, and what the surrounding land was like before New York City was all about Broadway and Wall Street.
Issue 35, Aug. 29-Sept. 4: Sorting through Recycling
Sure, we all know how important recycling is. But what happens to the stuff after we recycle it? The Mini Page explores this complex industry to find out where our paper, glass and plastic end up.
Issue 34, Aug. 22-28: Meet Author Margarita Engle
The Newbery and Caldecott honor award winners are featured in this Mini Page.
Issue 33, Aug. 15-21: Little League World Series:
Play ball! The Mini Page explores the exciting championship for Little League. We talk to some former Little Leaguers about their experiences playing baseball at this level.
Issue 32, Aug. 8-14: Safety Rules Shuffle:
It’s back-to-school time — always an opportune moment to remind kids of the safety rules when walking, riding or biking to school. The Mini Page, with help from the AAA Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education, provides a fun matching game to keep the rules fresh.
Issue 31, Aug. 1-7: Smithsonian’s Sant Ocean Hall:
The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., has a new exhibition called the Sant Ocean Hall. The Mini Page introduces readers to this fascinating dive into the ocean.
Issue 30, July 25-31: Meet Anne Frank:
Had she survived life in a concentration camp, Anne Frank would turn 80 years old this year. The Mini Page tells the story of this brave young woman and the diary that made her famous.
Issue 29, July 18-24: Landing on the Moon:
The United States marks the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing this summer. The Mini Page looks back at this historic event and what we learned from our voyages there.
Issue 28, July 11-17: Synchronized Swimming:
What used to be called “water ballet” is now an Olympic event. These graceful athletes train hard to carefully coordinate their movements and create beauty in the water.
Issue 27, July 4-10: Fun at the Fair:
Summer is the time for fairs. County, state, renaissance — all kinds of fun activities await at the fair. The Mini Page checks out what’s in store for kids at the typical fair.
Issue 26, June 27-July 3: Safe Fun With Fireworks:
In advance of Independence Day, The Mini Page talks to an expert pyrotechnician about how commercial fireworks are made and displayed. Page 4 is a review of safety rules for using fireworks at home.
Issue 25, June 20-26: Fitness Disciplines:
Most martial arts programs are about a lot more than fighting or defense. They are about discipline and character, too. The Mini Page looks at some of the martial arts programs popular with kids.
Issue 24, June 13-19: Fathers of...
George Washington is sometimes called the father of our country. What other “fathers of” can we learn about in honor of Father’s Day?
Issue 23, June 6-12: Pompeii:
It was 1,930 years ago this August when Mount Vesuvius in Italy erupted, burying nearby Pompeii and many of its citizens. The Mini Page talks to experts about this event and the excavations over many years that brought that city alive again.
Issue 22, May 30-June 5: Rats:
Like humans, rats are very adaptable, and like humans, they can teach what they've learned to their young. This makes them good animals for people to study. It also makes them deadly enemies. The Mini Page looks at this bright, often unwelcome, rodent.
Issue 21, May 23-29: Catching Up With Military Kids:
What’s it like to have a parent (or two) in the military? The Mini Page found out. Also, page 4 reminds us of the traditions and origins of Memorial Day.
Issue 20, May 16-21: Sharing Victories Through Books:
This summer, The Mini Page suggests some books full of hope for your reading list.
Issue 19, May 9-15: Sensational Swimmers:
Sea turtles are fascinating animals, but their numbers are dwindling. The Mini Page finds out more about how they swim, where they live and how scientists are helping them survive.
Issue 18, May 2-8: A Berry Happy Mom's Day:
These little power-packed fruits have been an essential part of humans’ diets over our entire history. Read about their nutritional value and how they’re grown and harvested, and collect a few delicious recipes to make for Mom.
Issue 17, Apr. 25-May 1: New Deal Art:
In the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to provide work and stimulate the economy. One of the New Deal programs paid artists minimum wage to produce works of art reflecting their community. It not only helped the artists, but helped the communities. The Mini Page writes about the Public Works of Art Program in conjunction with the Smithsonian's American Art Museum exhibit on that program.
Issue 16, Apr. 18-Apr. 24: The Green Generation:
As Earth Day begins to celebrate its 40th anniversary, The Mini Page focuses on water problems around the world and how our water cycle on Earth works, along with ideas for how kids can contribute to conservation efforts.
Issue 15, Apr. 11-Apr. 17: Library Week:
The Mini Page celebrates National Library week with interviews with 2009 Caldecott Medal winner Beth Krommes, and 2009 Newbery Honor Award winner and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt.
Issue 14, Apr. 4-Apr. 10: Hopping into Spring:
Rabbits are a favorite symbol of new life in springtime. The Mini Page finds out more about these cuddly animals, both in the wild and as pets, and features some of our favorite rabbit characters from books, movies and TV.
Issue 13, Mar. 27-Apr. 3: Deaf History Month:
The Mini Page learns about different ways deaf people have managed their disability through history. This month celebrates education achievements for deaf students, which we will highlight in the issue.
Issue 12, Mar. 21-Mar. 27: Women's History Month:
This year is the 150th birthday of Carrie Catt, founder of the League of Women Voters. The Mini Page recalls the history of this influential group and identifies how it seeks to make democracy accessible for all citizens.
Issue 11, Mar. 14-Mar. 20: Leprechauns:
St. Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration in the United States. We’ll have fun with some history of this holiday and Irish folklore and traditions, focusing specifically on leprechauns.
Issue 10, Mar. 7-Mar. 13: Iditarod:
The Mini Page explores the fascinating Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. This 1,150-mile-long race stretches dogs and people to the limits of their energy. The race begins on March 7 and goes from Anchorage to Nome.
Issue 9, Feb. 28-Mar. 6: Plug Into Newspapers:
We celebrate NIE Week this year with an issue about how newspapers can add to every aspect of our lives, from entertainment to health to economics. We also include some newspaper literacy skills.
Issue 8, Feb. 21-27: A Long Journey:
February is African-American History Month. The Mini Page highlights the historical moments that have led us from slavery to an African-American president in the White House.
Issue 7, Feb. 14-20: Making Our Lives Better:
Feb. 15-21 is Engineers Week. This issue of The Mini Page identifies some engineering challenges that face us for the 21st century and explains how these important members of our communities will help meet those challenges.
Issue 6, Feb. 7-13: Lincoln's Great Speech:
To honor President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday on Feb. 12, The Mini Page takes a closer look at the Gettysburg Address and events leading up to it.
Issue 5, Jan. 31-Feb. 6: Taking Care of Teeth:
February is Children’s Dental Health Month, sponsored by the American Dental Association. We’ll learn what a tooth is made of and how best to take care of our natural teeth so they last a lifetime. Plus, we’ll feature some fun facts about different animal teeth.
Issue 4, Jan. 24-30: The Seeing Eye:
This year marks the 80th birthday of the organization that first trained dogs to assist blind people, The Seeing Eye. The Mini Page will learn more about the organization’s history and how dogs are trained for their tasks.
Issue 3, Jan. 17-23: The Northern Lights:
This week The Mini Page reveals the science behind the aurora borealis, also called the Northern Lights.
Issue 2, Jan. 10-16: Welcoming a New President:
The inauguration of the new president of the United States will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The Mini Page tells all about the ceremony and other events surrounding the inauguration.
Issue 1, Jan. 3-9: A Kid's 2009 Calendar
It’s back! The new year couldn’t start off as well without a Mini Page calendar, so we’ll highlight all the important days to come in 2008.
Looking for past Mini Page activities?
We've kept links for 2007 and 2008.
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