Nov. 21, 2007: The Way Kids Give Thanks

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. Create a "People Help Others" poster. Find pictures or stories of people in the newspaper who help other people in some way. You may find pictures of "community helpers" who have jobs that help people, like nurses or policemen. You may find pictures or stories about people who volunteer their time to help others. Cut out the pictures and stories and paste them on your poster.

2. Divide a large piece of paper into two columns. At the top of the first column, write "Helping the Hungry." At the top of the second column, write "Helping the Needy." Now find words and pictures of items you would use if you wanted to help people who needed food. Put your items in the first column. For the second column, find words and pictures of clothing and other items that would help keep people safe and warm.

3. Find a newspaper story about someone who is donating his or her time and talents to make your community better. Now write a letter nominating that person for a "community service" award.

4. Which individuals in today's Mini Page (a) wanted to help animals, (b) wanted to improve the environment, or (c) wanted to help other people?

5. Create a project you and your friends could do to help your community. Now find five people in the newspaper who could help you with your project. Look at news stories, comics and classified ads. Write a paragraph describing your project and explaining how each of these individuals could help you.

This week's standards:

• Students understand that citizenship includes an awareness of the holidays, celebrations and symbols of our nation. (Citizenship)
• Students understand what it means to be a good citizen in the classroom, school, home and community. (Citizenship)
• Students understand why is it important for Americans to share certain values, principles and beliefs. (Civics)
  
  

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