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April 26:
The world’s largest explosion, the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa, was heard over 100 miles away. Volcanoes are often beautiful and interesting, but dangerous. What beautiful but dangerous things (like volcanoes) can you think of? List them, and tell why they are dangerous.
In 1777, 16-year-old American Patriot Sybil Ludington rode through the night warning her neighbors of a planned British attack on Danbury, CT, during the American Revolution. She never became as famous as Paul Revere, at least in part because it is so hard to find words that rhyme with Ludington. If you were asked to design a memorial to her, what would you plan? Describe or draw your memorial design.
The first broadcast weather report was made by radio station WEW in St. Louis, MO, in 1921. Before that, daily or weekly weather reports printed in newspapers were the only ones available. How important is accurate news about the weather for you? What are some ways your activities or plans are affected by weather?
April 27:
The first radio commercials were played in 1922. Commercials are often annoying, but some of them can be funny or interesting. Which commercial do you like? Describe it and tell why you like it.
In 1995, the Global Positioning System (GPS) started working when the last of the satellites that make it possible was launched. What are some ways the GPS system has helped to make our world safer?
Today is the feast of St. Zita, the patron saint of cleaners, housekeepers, and custodians. Write a thank-you note to your classroom' s custodian or housekeeper. Deliver it to him or her.
The first computer with a mouse and point-and-click interface was put on the market in 1981 by Xerox. Some people like mice with one button, and some prefer the kind with two buttons. Which kind do you prefer? Why do you like that kind?
April 28:
Count Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828. He wrote War and Peace, an exciting novel about the invasion of Russia by Napoleon. What modern day events do you think would make an exciting novel?
Explorer and naturalist Thor Heyerdahl set out to sail from South America across the Pacific to Polynesia, to show that ancient people could have traded that way. He traveled in a raft made of balsa wood, which he named Kon Tiki. 101 days later, he landed on a Polynesian island. Sailing on a raft can be fun. Where would you like to sail on a raft? Why there?
Today is the first day of the ancient Roman six-day festival of the flowers. What is your favorite flower? Write a poem or a paragraph, or make a poster, about your favorite flower.
President James Monroe was born in 1758. At 5'2", he was our shortest President, and was known as “Little Jemmy.” He is also known as the Father of the Constitution for his many good ideas at the Constitutional Convention. Can you think of another person who people put down because of their physical appearance, who it turned out did valuable and important work? Tell about them.
April 29:
The month of Toth in the ancient Egyptian calendar begins. The ancient Egyptians named their months for gods who had the bodies of men and women and the heads of animals. If you had to rename the months of the year, what would you call them?
In 1928, histologist Florence Rena Sabin became the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences. A histologist studies cells and how they work together to form tissues. Which branch of science do you find the most interesting? List 3 interesting facts from that branch of science.
Being dependable is an important quality. List reasons that dependability is important.
Today is Foscani, the national annual fair of Romania. All over the country, Romanians hold fairs in every village and town. What is your favorite part of a fair? Tell why you like it.
In 1792, Matthew Vassar was born. He was a successful merchant who was proud of his intelligent and talented daughter. When Harvard refused to accept her as a student because she was a girl, he started Vassar College for Women. (Vassar is now part of Harvard University) Some people prefer single‑sex schools because there are fewer distractions for the students. How do you feel about this?
April 30:
The first clipper ship, the fastest and most beautiful of all sailing ships, was launched in 1853. Some people like to sail, others to fly, to travel by railroad, or to go by car. What is your favorite way to travel? Why do you like that way?
In 1897, British scientist Joseph Thompson announces his lab has discovered the electron, one of the particles making up an atom. At that time, everyone thought that atoms were the smallest possible particles and could not be divided into smaller parts, so no one believed him until other scientists duplicated his results. How would you feel if you had discovered something important, but no one would believe you? What would you do to try to convince them?
In 1789, George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States. He was the first person in modern times to be elected as the leader of a large country, and he made many decisions that affect the way our government works today. Suppose you were the first person to get an important job. What kind of problems do you think you might face that those who came after you would not have to worry about?
In 1803, the US bought the Louisiana Territory from France. This territory included all or parts of fifteen states, and cost $15 million, a huge amount in that time. Some people thought we paid too much, since most of the land was thought to be desert. In fact, it was a tremendous bargain which doubled the size of our country. Have you or someone you know ever bought something you thought was too expensive but turned out to be very valuable? Tell about it.
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James Wayne has taught third grade and every grade from fifth to twelfth during a full-time career of 34 years, either in regular classrooms or in AG or AP classes. He began his writing prompts as a way to help teachers improve writing scores in his district. A native of North Carolina, James is a graduate of Duke University and a Vietnam Veteran, having served with the 101st Airborne Division. He continues to work part time for Onslow County Schools as a coordinator of the Academic Derby, a televised scholastic competition serving elementary, middle, and high schools. James resides in Jacksonville, North Carolina.