Autumn Dictionary The Truth About Pumpkins Columbus’s …teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/edition2/pdfs/SN2... · of Columbus’s famous trip. Here’s What’s

Vol. 66 No. 2 ISSN 0736-055XAmerica's Leading News Source For Kids

America's Leading News Source For Kids


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Edition 2October 2009

A Supplement to Scholastic News

POSTAL INFORMATION: The Teacher’s Edition of SCHOLASTIC NEWS Edition 2 (ISSN 0736-055X) is published monthly during the school year, September, October, and January through May; bimonthly November/December (8 issues), by Scholastic Inc., 2931 East McCarty St., P.O. Box 3710, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3710. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO 65102, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTERS: Send notice of address changes to SCHOLASTIC NEWS Edition 2, 2931 East McCarty St., P.O. Box 3710, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3710. PUBLISHING INFORMATION: U.S. prices: $3.95 per school year (for 10+ subscriptions to the same address). A 9% shipping and handling charge will be added to the total subscription order. (For Canadian pricing, write our Canadian office, address below.) Address subscription correspondence to SCHOLASTIC NEWS Edition 2, 2931 East McCarty Street, P.O. Box 3710, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3710, or call our toll-free number 1-800-SCHOLASTIC. Communication relating to editorial matter should be addressed to Editor, SCHOLASTIC NEWS, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Canadian address: Scholastic-Tab Publications, Ltd., Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 3G5. SCHOLASTIC, Scholastic News Editions 1&2, and associated designs are trademarks/registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. Copyright ©2009 by Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. Materials in this issue may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or format without special permission from the publisher. Printed in the USA

My Dad Is a FirefighterAlex, a 7-year-old boy, tells readers about his dad’s job as a firefighter.

Autumn DictionaryThis issue is in a “dictionary” format: Children can learn the definitions of new vocabulary words related to autumn.

The Truth About PumpkinsReaders learn amazing scientific facts about pumpkins.

Columbus’s TripReaders learn the true story of the last days of Columbus’s famous trip.

Here’s What’s Inside:Letter from the editor

Reading-skills chart

Planning calendar

Quick, easy discussion questions

Skills-building reproducible pages

Fast read-aloud facts

2 SCHOLASTIC NEWS Edition 2 • October 2009




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October 2009 Edition 2

SN: Teach It Your WayThis year, we have been obsessed with visiting

second-grade classrooms. This is what we’ve learned:1) Every teacher teaches Scholastic News in

her or his own way. Some teachers use it mostly for science and social studies. Others focus on the

nonfiction text features they find in the magazine. Scholastic News is rich enough to accommodate different priorities from classroom to classroom.

2) Second-graders everywhere—in smaller towns, in the suburbs, and in the city—are a lot alike. They may have a hard time sitting still, but they are open-hearted and eager to learn. (But you already knew that.) As we settle into the new school year, we are more eager than ever to help you teach them.

Warm regards, Laine Falk, [email protected]

We have been obsessed with visiting classrooms.

SN EDITIONS 1 AND 2 EDITORIAL: Associate Editorial Director: Amanda Miller; Editor: Laine Falk; Assistant Editor: Kim Greene; Copy Editor: Veronica Majerol; ART: Group Art Director, Beginning Readers: Sandra Mayer; Designers: Yoana Yelin, Wendy Tang; Production Editors: Audrey Pavey, Paul Scherr; Photo Editor: Eric Russ; Senior Cartographer: Jim McMahon. PRODUCTION: Mgr, Digital Imaging: Marc Stern; Digital Imaging Group: Bonnie Ardita, Bianca Beeman; MAGAZINE GROUP: President, Scholastic Classroom Library Group: Greg Worrell; VP, Editor in Chief: Rebecca Bondor; Creative Director: Judith Christ-Lafond; Executive Production Director: Barbara Schwartz; Executive Editorial Director, Copy Desk: Craig Moskowitz; Publishing System Director: David Hendrickson; Executive Director of Photography: Steven Diamond; Manager, Library Services: Kerry Prendergast; Reference Librarian: Karen Van Rossem; Senior Administrative Coordinator: Mirtha Williams; CIRCULATION & MARKETING: VP, Marketing: Jocelyn Forman; Marketing Manager: Christine Rochford; Director, Manufacturing & Distribution: Mimi Esguerra; Manufacturing Coordinator: Georgiana Deen. CORPORATE: President, Chief Exec. Officer, Chairman of the Board of Scholastic Inc: Richard Robinson.

2009-2010*Planning Calendar

SeptemberBack to School•Apples•Constitution Day•School Safety•

Poster: Hispanic Heritage Month

OctoberFirefighters/Fire Safety•Autumn Dictionary•Pumpkins•Christopher Columbus•Posters: Bats/Autumn Leaves

November/DecemberPilgrims•American Indians•Bears•Winter Holidays•

JanuaryWinter Weather•Arctic/Antarctic Animals•Martin Luther King Jr. •White House News•

FebruaryPresidents’ Day•Dental Health Month•Groundhog Day•Black History Month•

MarchSpring Wind and Rain•Kites•Dr. Seuss•Saint Patrick’s Day•

AprilEarth Day•Plants and Seeds•Baby Animals•Reading-Skills Practice Test •Posters: Birds/Insects

May/JuneSummer Safety•Butterflies•Ocean•Animals Keep Cool•

*Topics may change at editors’ discretion.

This Month’s Reading Skills Focus

Fluency Perform dialogue •(Teacher’s Edition, page 11)

Vocabulary Specific word instruction •(Teacher’s Edition, page 3)

Comprehension

Identify genre •(Teacher’s Edition, page 15)

Evaluate •(Teacher’s Edition, page 3)

“It’s really important to

go green for all our children and grandchildren.”

BEFORE READING

Specific Word InstructionUse the word “firefighter” to teach compound words and suffixes.Point to the word firefighter on the cover and ask, “What two smaller words do you see?” (fire, fighter) Explain that a compound word is a word made by joining two words together. Next, point out that fighter is made from the action word fight. The suffix -er means “someone who.” For example, a teacher is someone who teaches, and a painter is someone who paints. Then ask, “What is a fighter?” (someone who fights) “What is a firefighter?” (someone who fights fire)

DURING READING

Understand Text FeaturesHelp children review the purpose of speech bubbles.At the bottom of page 3, ask, “What is different about the red words?” Explain that this is a called a speech bubble. It shows the words that someone says. Then ask, “Who is saying the words? How do you know?” (The tip of the bubble is pointing to him.) Invite children to make up a reply bubble for Alex’s dad, for example, “Thanks, son!”

AFTER READING

EvaluateInvite children to share their views on firefighting.Ask, “Would you like doing Alex’s father’s job? Why or why not?” Encourage children to use specific reasons. For instance, some children might like the excitement of hurrying to a fire, while others might like the chance of helping people. Remind children they must wait until they are grown up if they want to try firefighting. After all, it takes a lot of training.

READ-ALOUD BACKGROUND

Meet Alex & DadAlex and his dad have a lot in common. When •Alex grows up, he wants to be a firefighter too! He and his dad also have the same first name. Alex is in first grade. His sister, Stephanie, is •in fifth grade. Sometimes, they visit their dad at work. They have helped wash the fire truck. They even rode in the truck in a parade. Alex says he’s proud of his dad. He thinks •firefighters are cool because they help save people. Stephanie says her dad saves more than people—he saves their pets too.

Gear Up, Firefighters!The • turnout gear Alex’s dad wears is made from special cloth. It protects firefighters’ bodies because it doesn’t catch fire easily. Sturdy boots help protect their feet.Helmets • and hoods protect firefighters’ eyes, ears, and necks. Masks help keep them from breathing too much smoke.

Alex’s Dad On the JobWhen Alex’s dad is at work, he eats and sleeps •at the firehouse. The firefighters take turns living there, so someone is always ready if there’s a fire. The firehouse has bedrooms, bathrooms, and a •kitchen, just like a regular house. It also has a big garage for the fire trucks! Of course, it also has a garage for the fire trucks!

Alex’s Safety TipsIf there’s a fire, get out and stay out! Get down •and crawl if there’s smoke. If it’s hot, keep it closed. Find another way out.Never hide from firefighters. People like Alex’s •dad are there to help you! Call out for help so they can find you.



My Dad Is a FirefighterOBJECTIVE: Read to learn from a firefighter’s son what his father

does at work.

STANDARDS: Social Studies (NCSS): Individuals, groups, and institutions; Science: Personal Health

“When Alex grows up, he wants to be a

firefighter too!”


4 SCHOLASTIC NEWS Edition 2•October 2009

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Map Skills

Firefighters drove from the firehouse to the school. In which direction did they drive? _______________

Firehouse MapLook at the map and the map key. Then fill in the bubbles for the correct answers below.

1. The firehouse is closest to the ___________________. O school O library O post office

2. The school is closest to the _____________________. O library O post office O firehouse

3. On which street is the firehouse? O Main Street O Elm Street O Maple Road

4. On which street is the post office? O Elm Street O Oak Place O Maple Road

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Neighborhood Map

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Comprehension

1. What does the firefighter do when the alarm sounds?

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2. What is turnout gear?

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3. How do firefighters cooperate?

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4. Would you like to be a firefighter? Why or why not?

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Reading Checkpoint: My Dad Is a Firefighter!Use your Scholastic News to answer the questions. Remember to write complete sentences.

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BEFORE READING

Pre-Teach ConceptsLook at a dictionary with children, and identify the different parts.Display your classroom dictionary and ask children, “How do we use this book?” Encourage children to share their ideas. Elicit that the words are listed in alphabetical order and that the dictionary gives the meanings of words. Show children a sample entry, pointing out the pronunciation guide, part of speech, and definition. Tell children that in this issue, they will read a dictionary of words about autumn.

DURING READING

Draw ConclusionsHelp children use clues to understand autumn animal behavior.After reading the entry for hoard, ask, “Why does the entry say squirrels hoard nuts in autumn?” (The squirrels hoard nuts to eat in winter, when food is hard to find.) “Why do you think food is hard to find in winter? Why would it be easier for the squirrel to find its nuts in autumn?” Lead children to see that in winter, the weather gets cold, and there is ice and snow. That makes things like plants, berries, and nuts much harder to find.

AFTER READING

Apply and ExtendBrainstorm more autumn words, and find their correct placement in the dictionary.Ask, “What other words remind you of autumn?” Spark ideas by talking to children about autumn activities, holidays, and foods. Write children’s suggested words on the board. (For some examples, see Read-Aloud Background.) Then challenge children to tell where each word would go in the alphabetical order of the dictionary.


More Autumn Dictionary Wordsapple cider • (ap-uhl sye-dur) noun Apple cider is a drink made by pressing juice out of apples. It is thicker and darker than apple juice.chlorophyll • (klor-uh-fil) noun Chlorophyll is a green pigment in plants. It helps plants make food. Some trees stop making chlorophyll in autumn. Then the other color pigments in leaves, like red and orange, are easier to see.crops • (krops) noun Crops are plants that farmers grow in large amounts. Some crops that are ready to be picked in autumn are apples, pears, pumpkins, and corn.deciduous • (di-sij-oo-uhss) adjective Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn every year. They grow a new set of green leaves in spring.evergreen • (ev-ur-green) noun Evergreens have green leaves all year long. They lose leaves, but not all at once. As old leaves fall off, new ones grow in their place. foliage • (foh-lee-ij) noun Foliage means a lot of leaves all together. For example: People take drives to see the colorful autumn foliage. gourd • (gord) noun Gourds are fruits that have hard skin and grow on vines, like pumpkins, squashes, and cucumbers. In autumn, people use gourds for decoration.

The ABCs of InformationA • dictionary is a reference book. Reference books like the dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia give people information. Many reference books use alphabetical order, •which makes it easier to look up words. Imagine looking for a word that could be anywhere in the dictionary. It would take a very long time if you had to look on every page!



Autumn DictionaryOBJECTIVE: Read to learn new vocabulary related to autumn.

STANDARDS: Science: Organisms and environments; Changes in the earth and sky; Social Studies (NCSS): People, places, and environments

“Deciduous trees lose

their leaves in autumn

every year.”



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Filling in a Bar Graph

1. On Monday, the temperature was 45°F.2. On Tuesday, the temperature was 35°F.3. On Wednesday, the temperature was 40°F.4. On Thursday, the temperature was 50°F.5. On Friday, the temperature was 45°F.

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Temperature Bar Graph

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Day of the Week

What’s the Temperature?The graph will show what the temperature was each day for a week. Use the information below to fill in the graph. We started it for you.

On which day was the temperature the coldest?

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Monday Tuesday FridayWednesday Thursday


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Vocabulary

Autumn CrosswordUse the word bank to complete the sentences. Your Scholastic News issue can help you. Then fill out the crossword puzzle.

Word Bank

DOWN4. Squirrels _________________

acorns to eat during winter.5. The _________________ is how hot or

cold something is.6. In autumn, some birds _________________

to a warmer place.

ACROSS1. A _________________ keeps

birds away from the crops.2. The four seasons are winter, spring,

summer, and _________________.3. _________________

gives leaves color, like red and orange.

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autumn migratehoard scarecrowpigment temperature



BEFORE READING

Use Word WebsMake a pumpkin word web.Draw a pumpkin on the board, and draw several spokes coming out from the pumpkin. Ask, “What do you know about pumpkins? What words would you use to describe them?” Write children’s responses on the spokes; for example, orange, round, many seeds, can be carved, and so on. Then tell children that in this issue, they will learn some amazing facts about pumpkins that may surprise them!

DURING READING

Understand Text StructuresIntroduce children to true-or-false text organization.Tell children, “In this issue, the author will make a statement, and the readers—that is, you—will tell if it’s true or not.” Read the first question and answer out loud, making sure they understand the different parts of the text. Then have children turn their magazines over so that they can’t see the questions and answers, and read the rest of the questions aloud. Ask children to predict the answers. Then they can turn their issues over and read it as a class to check the answers.

AFTER READING

Fluency/Perform DialogueAsk children to perform dialogue as Magic School Bus characters.Return to the dialogue on page 1 and model reading it aloud for children, emphasizing vocal expression. Then pair children up for some dramatic fun. Let children choose roles and perform the dialogue, using any special voices and gestures they like. If you have time, children can perform their scenes for the class.


Pumpkins: The Inside ScoopYou know pumpkins come in different colors •and sizes. But did you know they have different names? For example, the Cotton Candy pumpkin is round and white. The Jack Be Little is orange and tiny. Funny Face pumpkins are medium-sized and good for carving jack-o’-lanterns. There is even a reddish Cinderella pumpkin—can you guess how it got its name? (It looks like the pumpkin from the fairy tale!)You also learned that pumpkins can grow to be •very big. In fact, people enter contests to see who can grow the biggest one. Seeds of prize-winning giant pumpkins can be •very valuable. The seeds for one world-record-holding giant pumpkin sold for $600 a seed! (Most pumpkin seeds cost about $2 a packet.)Other pumpkin contests give awards to see who •can carve a face in a pumpkin the fastest. The current record is about 24 seconds!Believe it or not, there are also contests to see •how fast pumpkins can go in the water—with people riding inside them! In pumpkin regattas, or boat races, people carve out giant pumpkins, climb in, and paddle away!

How Pumpkins GrowEven the biggest pumpkins start out as little •seeds. First, the seed gets planted in the soil. With air, water, and light, the seed sprouts, or grows, into a plant. Pumpkins grow on a • vine. As the vine gets bigger, flowers, or blossoms, bloom on it. (These are the flowers some people like to eat.) After the blossom dies, a small pumpkin grows •on the plant. Most baby pumpkins are green. As the pumpkin grows, it also changes color. •When it’s big and orange, it’s ripe. That means it’s fully grown and ready to pick!



The Truth About PumpkinsOBJECTIVE: Read to learn some interesting scientific facts about

pumpkins.

STANDARDS: Science: Characteristics of organisms; Properties of objects and materials

“In pumpkin boat races,

people carve out giant pumpkins,

climb in, and paddle away!”



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Measurement

1. How tall is the stem? Measure from the to the . __________ inches

2. How tall is the pumpkin? Measure from the to the . __________ inches

3. How wide is the pumpkin? Measure from the to the . __________ inches

How Big Is the Pumpkin?Cut out the ruler on the bottom of the page. Use it to answer the questions below.

X X

X X

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Vocabulary

Word Bank

Pumpkin Word SearchLook at the words in the word bank. Find and circle them in the word search below.

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pumpkin buoyantcolorful

giant seeds vine

flowerfloatpulp

stemorange

O L K F D Z C Q

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Comprehension

1. What colors can pumpkins be?

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2. How big can some pumpkins get to be?

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3. Do all pumpkins have the same number of seeds? How many seeds can a pumpkin have?

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4. If someone gave you a cooked pumpkin flower to eat, would you try it? Why or why not?

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Reading Checkpoint: The Truth About PumpkinsUse “The Truth About Pumpkins” to answer the questions. Remember to write complete sentences!



BEFORE READING

Build BackgroundGive children basic facts about Columbus.Invite children to share anything they may have heard about Christopher Columbus, his famous ocean trip, or Columbus Day. Then provide information to help children better understand the mini book: “Columbus was an explorer who lived a very long time ago. He traveled around the world on a ship looking for new places. Today, we will learn about his most-famous trip.”

DURING READING

InferUse the story clues on page 5 to help children make inferences.After reading the text on page 5, point to the illustration of the branch. Ask, “Where can we find branches?” (on trees) “Where do you usually see trees: in the water or on the ground?” (on the ground) “Why did the branch mean land might be near?” (It came from a tree, and trees grow on land.) You can help children make another inference on page 6: A light in the darkness can be a sign that people are nearby—and people usually live on land!

AFTER READING

Identify GenreIdentify the features of biography.Turn back to page 1 and point out the My Mini Biography logo. Ask, “What is a biography?” (the true story of someone’s life) Ask, “If this mini book is a biography, who is it about?” (Christopher Columbus) Remind children that a biography usually tells the most important events of the person’s life. Then ask, “How can you tell this mini book is a biography?” (It’s a true story from someone’s life.)


Columbus & Crew in 1492 Columbus and his sailors began their trip on •August 3, 1492. They finally reached San Salvador on October 12. The trip lasted 70 days! Columbus brought along 90 sailors, and they •traveled on three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Columbus himself sailed on the Santa Maria.The voyage was tough on the sailors, because •they didn’t have much food and they had a lot of work to do. They had to clean the ship, steer it in the right direction, and stay on the lookout for land. They couldn’t bring much food on the trip. •There were no refrigerators back then to keep food fresh! Columbus could bring only dried-out or salted foods that would not go bad on a long trip.So why did Columbus want to go to San •Salvador? Actually, he didn’t! He landed there by accident. Columbus was trying to find a quicker way to Asia to get gold and spices. But he ran into America on the way! America was a surprise for Columbus. The •people from his part of the world didn’t know it existed. They called Columbus’s discovery the “New World.” It wasn’t new to everyone, though. When Columbus landed on the island, people called the Taino (tah-ee-no) were already living there.

Celebrating Columbus DayColumbus Day is on the second Monday of •October every year. Some people take a day off of work to celebrate •Columbus Day, and some kids get the day off from school. Many towns have parades with marching bands and floats.



Columbus’s TripOBJECTIVE: Read to learn how Columbus and his crew reached San

Salvador after the long voyage from Spain.

STANDARDS: Social Studies (NCSS): Time, continuity, and change; People, places, and environments; Science, technology, and society

“They couldn’t bring much food.

There were no refrigerators back then to keep food

fresh!”



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Story Map

Fill in a Story MapUse your Scholastic News about Columbus to fill in the story map.

When the sun rose, where was the ship?

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End

Beginning How were the sailors feeling at the beginning of the story?

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What did Columbus tell the sailors when they wanted to go home?

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Middle

Great Graphic Organizer #2

Documents

Autumn Dictionary The Truth About Pumpkins Columbus’s …teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/edition2/pdfs/SN2... · of Columbus’s famous trip. Here’s What’s