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 — 2008 Activities
Issue 1, Jan. 5-11: A 2008 Calendar for Kids
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.
Issue 2, Jan. 12-18: Meet Astronaut Barbara Morgan
Last August, teacher Barbara Morgan traveled to the International Space Station aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. She talks about her voyage and how she prepared.
Issue 3, Jan. 19-25: A ‘Thoreau’ Life
The Mini Page examines the life and philosophies of Henry David Thoreau. We cover his famous books and explain a number of quotes from him.
Issue 4, Jan. 26-Feb. 1: On the Road for Votes
It’s the height of primary season, and the candidates seem to never sleep as they move around to different states. We’ll talk about what it’s like on the road for them and for the journalists who cover them.
Issue 5, Feb. 2-8: Communications
Good communicating is an essential life skill. The Mini Page identifies some ways to become a good communicator.
Issue 6, Feb. 9-15: Chinese New Year
In August, the Summer Olympics will begin in Beijing, China. The Mini Page will take several different looks at China this year, starting with the Chinese New Year. This issue will also include information about one or two of the Olympic events to come.
Issue 7, Feb. 16-22: Washington’s Chivalry Rules
In honor of George Washington’s birthday, The Mini Page will highlight some of his “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” Our first president had written 110 of them by age 16.
Issue 8, Feb. 23-29: Sojourner Truth
To commemorate Black History Month and Women’s History Month, The Mini Page takes a close look at Sojourner Truth, the 19th-century abolitionist and activist for women.
Issue 9, March 1-7: NIE Week — What’s NEW in NEWspapers?
Newspapers are having to adapt to many other media competing for their readers’ attention. We’ll take a look at what newspapers are doing to meet these needs.
Issue 10, March 8-14: History of Instruments
March is Music in Our Schools Month, and we’ll celebrate by looking at the long history of some favorite instruments.
Issue 11, March 15-21: Pandas
The second in our China series, this issue will showcase giant pandas. With only about 1,000 left in the wild, these creatures are popular attractions at zoos.
Issue 12, March 22-28: Energy for the Future
The Mini Page explores some alternative fuel sources in recognition of the United Nations Year of Planet Earth.
Issue 13, March 29-April 4:
Frogs Are Facing Extinction
Experts say half of all frog species are facing extinction, largely because of a fungus that has spread to frog populations around the world. Read more about this dangerous development and what it means to our ecosystem.
Issue 14, April 5-11:
Dr. King’s Work Lives On
It’s been 40 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. The Mini Page looks at the work he was doing when he died and how his colleagues and family honored his legacy after his death.
Issue 15, April 12-18: Meet Author Laura Amy Schlitz
The Mini Page introduced the authors and illustrators honored with the Newbery Medal, the Caldecott Medal, and the Coretta Scott King awards for 2008.
Issue 16, April 19-25:
As part of our series about China, The Mini Page examines the regions of that vast Asian country. Page 2 will introduce two more Summer Olympic sports.
Issue 17, April 26-May 2:
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Many people believe Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s independence day. But in fact, the holiday celebrates a major victory over the French in the 1800s. The Mini Page explains how this holiday came to be so important to Mexican-Americans.
Issue 18, May 3-9:
Plant a Seed With Mom
For Mother’s Day, why not plant an edible garden? The Mini Page tells you how to plant vegetables, herbs and fruits in a container garden with Mom.
Issue 19, May 10-16:
Summer’s just a few weeks away! The Mini Page gives some great ideas for books you can take along on your summer journeys.
The Mini Page explores the idea of trade between countries, including China, site of the upcoming Summer Olympics. This issue also includes explanations of canoe and kayak events in the Olympics.
What are people at home doing to support the war effort and our troops abroad? To commemorate Memorial Day, The Mini Page finds out about some great projects that are lending a hand.
May 31-June 6:
Summing Up the School Year
With many schools closing, it’s a perfect time to reflect on this year’s accomplishments and set some goals for the summer, next year and beyond. The Mini Page explores dreams and goals and suggests some ideas for things to achieve this summer.
Take Dad Fishing!
Anglers know that fishing together is a great way to share good times and make memories. The Mini Page covers different kinds of fish and fishing environments and suggests some ways to keep the day all about Dad or another special man in kids’ lives.
With school out, many kids are spending more time at the computer. This issue reminds kids and parents about the safe ways to use the Internet and have fun.
In another of our series about China in advance of the coming Summer Olympics in Beijing, The Mini Page takes a look at the many resources found in that vast country.
June 28-July 4:
A’Camping We Will Go
To celebrate Fourth of July, why not take off on a camping trip? The Mini Page offers lists of gear, things to do, and songs to sing around the campfire.
Where does our food come from? If you said “The grocery store,” it’s time to get in touch with our food sources. The Mini Page explains urban farming and buying locally and tells why these trends are growing.
Summer’s only about half over, but the kids are already bored. The Mini Page revives some of the games that parents or grandparents played as kids, but that may not be as familiar to today’s screen-oriented youth.
The Mini Page points out some remarkable landmarks in China and explains two more Olympic sports. (This is the last of the monthly China issues.)
July 26-Aug. 1: Zoo Disaster Plans
When natural or manmade disasters strike, what happens to zoo animals? The Mini Page finds out.
The 2008 Summer Olympics
The Beijing Olympics begin on Aug. 8. This Mini Page is a guide to what you’ll see, from the opening ceremony to the closing.
Get Organized for School
It’s hard to believe school’s starting again. The Mini Page offers some
ideas about getting ready, including getting to bed earlier, getting your
school wardrobe ready and packing your backpack. <
Democratic National Convention — Denver, Colo.
The Mini Page previews the Democratic convention and tells readers about
Denver, where the convention will be held Aug. 25 through 28.
Republican National Convention — Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
The Mini Page previews the Republican convention and tells readers about
Minneapolis/St. Paul, where the convention will take place Sept. 1 through 4.
Aug. 30-Sept. 5:
Elephant Rehab Shelters
The Mini Page talks with Carol Buckley, co-founder of the Elephant
Sanctuary. The sanctuary offers homes to elephants who are aging or
who have been abused.
The Physics of NASCAR
There’s a lot of science going on out there on the track! The Mini Page
examines this popular American event and shows how science drives the sport.
Book Honor Awards
The Mini Page honors the Newbery and Caldecott winners and talks
with 2008 Caldecott Honor Award winner Laura Vaccaro Seeger and 2008
Newbery Honor Award winner Jacqueline Woodson.
The Mini Page speaks with experts about bullying — how students and
parents can react to and avoid bullying situations.
Sept. 27-Oct. 3:
50th Anniversary of NASA
NASA turns 50 years old this year. The Mini Page looks at the space
agency’s out-of-this-world history and its plans for the future.
Movie Animal Trainers
Many kids’ movies feature animals doing amazing stunts. How do movie-makers get the critters to comply? The Mini Page speaks with animal trainers about their amazing work.
Happy Birthday, Noah Webster!
Oct. 16 is Noah Webster’s 250th birthday. The Mini Page celebrates with a story about him and his accomplishments, including improved textbooks and an Americanized dictionary that many people still use today.
There’s so much to learn about spiders — beyond the scary Halloween associations! We’ll find out what these important arachnids do when they’re not scaring us on Oct. 31.
Electing Our President
Election Day is approaching fast, and The Mini Page helps kids understand it all. We look at the mechanics of the Electoral College and tell what to expect on Nov. 4.
It’s never too early to learn about money management. The Mini Page will cover the basics of individual economics, including savings accounts, credit cards and loans.
America’s Geographical Wonders
The Mini Page offers an overview of the some of the geographical and natural wonders of our country.
A Lean, Clean Learning Machine
Personal hygiene is important for a good learning environment. The Mini Page comes clean with information about head lice and keeping everyone in the classroom healthy.
It’s time to talk turkey. Let’s learn about this funny bird and the differences between wild turkeys and those grown for meat.
Nov. 29-Dec. 5:
Kids are doing a lot of writing in school. The Mini Page explores some different careers that kids who love to write may be interested in.
The Salvation Army
With the holidays come the bell-ringers. This Mini Page details the history and mission of the Salvation Army.
Going Green for the Holidays
Americans create plenty of trash during the holiday season. The Mini Page suggests some ways to make your holidays more green.
Model trains have been favorite toys at Christmastime for many generations. The Mini Page explores these small wonders of engineering.
Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2009:
Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities
This exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum features the natural landscapes portrayed by these two great American artists. The Mini Page highlights some of the 42 paintings and 54 photographs on display in the museum and introduces students to the artists.
Looking for past Mini Page activites?
Click here to read 2007 activities. We've also kept links for 2006-2005 and 2004-2003.