The novelist W. Somerset Maugham (pronounced MÆHM) was born in 1874. He once wrote: “It is bad enough to know the past; it would be intolerable to know the future.” What about the future would you not want to know? Why?

In 1974: Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant. If you received a heart from someone who had died, how would you feel? What would you say to the person's family?

Today is Burns Day, celebrating the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's favorite poet, in 1756. Here is part of a poem written by Robert Burns about a finely-dressed lady who has lice:

Oh wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel's as others see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us, And foolish notion.

Translation from Scottish dialect:
Oh would some power give us the gift/ To see ourselves as others see us/ It would free us from many blunders/ and foolish notions.

What do you think he means?

January 26:
Julia Dent Grant, wife of President U.S. Grant, was born in 1826. Mrs. Grant was a very plain woman, but was known for her kindness. Think of a person who has done something kind for you, or for someone you know. Write about how their kindness benefited you or someone else.

1500, the Amazon River was discovered by Vincent Pizon. The Amazon is the largest river in the world, and an important feature of South America. If you were going to South America, list the things you would like to see there.

The world's largest diamond was discovered in 1905 and donated to the British king to keep it off the market so that the price of diamonds would not fall. What would you do if you found a huge and valuable jewel?

In 1784, Ben Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter protesting against the decision to choose the eagle as the symbol of the United States. He thought the eagle was a cruel, predatory bird, and preferred the turkey instead. Suppose you had to choose an animal as the symbol of your class. It can't be an eagle, or a symbol your school already uses. What animal would you choose? Why that one?

January 27:
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was born in 1832. What is your favorite character from this famous story? Why do you like that character?

In 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. People today call his music "classical," but it was the pop music of his time. Everyone listened to it, played it on instruments, and sang, whistled, or hummed it. What music that is popular today do you think will be considered classical in 200 years?

Happy birthday, National Geographic Society. It was organized in 1888 to sponsor explorations and spread knowledge about the world. The movie March of the Penguins is only one of its many films, TV programs, books, or magazine articles it has created. Suppose you went to work for the National Geographic Society. What areas of the world would you like to visit and make reports about? Why those places?

(Based on the event above) If you were going to write an article for National Geographic magazine about your school, what are six things you would put in the article?

January 28:
Charles the Simple became King of France in 893. As his name suggests, he was not very smart. What qualities do you think a good king needs?

In 1902 Andrew Carnegie, who made millions manufacturing steel, set up a foundation to encourage knowledge and learning. His foundation helped to establish free public libraries in hundreds of American towns and cities. (Before Carnegie, most libraries charged a fee to get a library card.) What part of the library is your favorite?

In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded during take-off, killing the entire crew, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who was going to be the first ordinary person to travel in space. Would you volunteer to be the first public school student to travel in the space shuttle, knowing that there is always danger in such adventures? Explain your decision.

Today is National Kazoo Day. Violin music is used in romantic restaurants. Bugle music is used on military bases. Where would be some places kazoo music would be appropriate?

January 29:
Oprah Winfrey was born in 1954. Although born poor, she has created a media company that has made her very wealthy. She has used some of her money to help young people get an education, and for many other good causes. If you could donate money for a good cause, what would you donate for? Why do you prefer that cause?

In 1929, a foundation was established to raise and train Seeing Eye dogs for the blind. What do you think would be the most difficult problem faced by blind people? Be specific--being unable to see is the condition, not the problem.

(Based on the above event) Dogs have been used to help people with handicaps other than blindness, including deaf people and those who have lost the use of their limbs. What qualities of a dog are most important in training it to help people with disabilities? List four, and tell why you think each is important.

January is National Soup Month. Invent a new kind of soup, like Brussels sprouts noodle soup. Then describe all the things you would put in it, and how you think it would taste.

January 30:
President Franklin Roosevelt was born in 1882. He once said, "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” What do you think he meant by that?

(Based on the event above) Franklin Roosevelt once said, "We have nothing to fear but fear it self.” Have you ever been afraid of something, then discovered it wasn't really dangerous or scary. How did you feel then?

In 1790, lifeboats were first used to rescue people from a sinking ship. Make a list of the survival gear you think should be kept on a lifeboat.

Do you like fish and grape jelly? How about spinach and chocolate? Many people like strange combinations of food. What is the strangest combination of foods you or one of your friends like? Why do you (or that other person) like that combination?

January 31:
Ernie Banks, Hall of Fame baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, was born in 1931. He once said, "Awards mean a lot, but they don't say it all. The people mean more to me than statistics." Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

President Harry S Truman said, "I sit here [in the White House] all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have sense enough to do without my persuading them.” Why do you think so many people have to be persuaded to do the right thing?

In 1709, a British sailor named Alexander Selkirk was rescued from a remote island after being marooned there for 4 years. The writer Daniel Defoe heard of him and used his story in the novel Robinson Crusoe. Suppose you were left alone in some remote place. What are four problems you would have to solve to stay alive? Which do you think would be the most difficult?

In 1961, NASA sent a monkey into space to test the safety of its first space capsule. Some people agree that animals should be used in such dangerous tests rather than people. Others think this is cruel to the animals. Decide how you feel about this, and write a paragraph about it.

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