Jan. 23, 2008: Meet Henry David Thoreau

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:
1. Make a series of Thoreau trading cards. Draw a picture on one side of each card. On the other side, write a sentence about Thoreau. Share your cards with a friend.

2. Draw a large circle on a piece of paper. Put "Thoreau" at the top of the paper. Then divide the circle into three equal parts. In one part, paste newspaper words or pictures about enjoying nature. In another section, paste words or pictures about people helping other people. In the last part, paste words or pictures about teaching.

3. Write the words "Living at Walden Pond" at the top of a piece of paper. Then cut out newspaper words or pictures of items that would have made Thoreau's life easier on Walden Pond and paste them on the paper. Write a sentence explaining each of your choices.

4. Make a list of items you would like to have. Then use the newspaper to locate an expensive version and an inexpensive version of the item. Write the options next to the item on the list. What choices would Thoreau recommend? Why?

5. Select one of Thoreau's quotations from today's Mini Page. Now find a newspaper story that reminds you of that quotation. Write a paragrap discussing how the story relates to the quotation.

This week's standards:

• Students understand the important accomplishments of individuals and groups. (Social Studies: The Individual)
• Students understand the people, events, problems and ideas that were significant in creating the history of their country. (Social Studies: History)
  
  

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)