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May 24:
The first auto repair shop in the US opens in Boston in 1899. Have you, or anyone you know, ever been in a car that broke down on the highway? Tell what happened to you, or the person who broke down. (If necessary, imagine what you would do if it happened to you.)
In 1968, Chief, the last living American cavalry horse died. What is your favorite story about a horse or horses. Why do you like that story?
If you have ever played the classic game of Monopoly, you have heard of the Reading Railroad. It was a real railroad, centered in Reading, PA, founded in 1871. If you were to design a Monopoly game based on your home town, what would you name the various streets and businesses on it?
In 1976, supersonic air travel between Britain and France began using a new plane, the Concorde. Many people liked the new plane, which cut travel time in half. Other people hated it because of the sonic boom people heard when it passed overhead (people inside the plane could not hear the sonic boom). They called the boom, noise pollution. Name three sources of noise pollution that annoy you or people you know. What can you do to avoid annoying people with your noise?
May is Mental Health Month. People who use their minds regularly tend to have better mental health than those who don’t. What are you going to do to keep your mind healthy this summer?
May 25:
The first Star Wars movie opened in 1977. It featured two robots, C3PO and R2D2. If you could have a robot to help you with a particular task, what task would you want it to do for you? What do you imagine such a robot would look like?
In 1889, Igor Sikorsky was born. He invented the first successful helicopter. If you could ride in a helicopter, where would you like to go? What would you like to see?
Ralph Waldo Emerson, famous American poet and essayist, was born in 1803. He wrote, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.” What do you think he meant by that?
May 26:
Today is Western Actor Day, in honor of three western actors born today: John Wayne, Jay Silverheels (Tonto in the Lone Rangers series), and James Arness (Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke). Westerns used to be very popular, but are not today. Why do you think westerns are no longer as popular as they once were?
In 1927, Ford Motor Company produced its 15 millionth Model T, which it had been making for many years. Shortly afterwards, the company stopped making the Model T and started a more modern car, the Model A, which it also made for many years. Today, most car companies make new models every year. How often do you think a family should buy a new car? Should it be often, so as to have the newest features, or less often, to save money? Explain your choice.
The novel Dracula was published in 1897. Many people like horror stories about vampires, werewolves, and monsters. What is your favorite horror story character? Why do you like that character?
May 27:
In 1782, George Washington refused to allow his officers to make him King of America. How might our country have been different if he had become king?
In 1909, Alva J. Fisher patented the first electric washing machine. Before that, washing had to be done by hand or in a machine with a crank you turned by hand. The washing machine is only one of the many work-saving machines we have today, such as dishwashers, vacuums, microwaves, dryers, mixers, and many others. Which work-saving machine do you think would be the hardest to give up? Why that machine?
May 28:
In 1902, Owen Wister published The Virginian, considered the first modern American novel of the Old West. Before then, all western novels featured simple plots and unrealistic characters. Wister's novel was the first to show realistic people and situations. Both kinds of western stories continue to be published. Think about the stories you like to read. Do you prefer realistic ones, or unrealistic ones? Tell which kind you prefer and some of the stories that fit that preference you really like.
Today is the birthday of the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937. Traveling over a high bridge like the Golden Gate can be either scary or a big thrill. Which is it for you? How do you feel when you cross a high bridge or visit a high place?
May 29:
President John F. Kennedy was born in 1917. He once said, "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” What do you think he meant by that? Do you agree or disagree with him?
Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first human beings to climb all the way to the top of Mount Everest in 1953. Since then, so many people have climbed the mountain that litter has become a major problem. Litter also causes problems in many other places. Write a poem, slogan, or ad to persuade people not to litter.
May 30:
Candy Lightner was born in 1946. When her twelve-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver, she was inspired to found Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). She works to educate the public about the dangers of driving drunk, and to increase penalties for those who do. Think of a slogan or ad against drunk driving, and write why you feel your slogan or ad would be effective.
The first automobile accident occurred in New York City in 1896, when cars were very rare and expensive. A Duryea car (this brand is no longer made) hit a man on a bicycle. Since then, there have been many more car accidents. Teenage drivers have a very high proportion of accidents, compared to older people. Why do you think that is true?
Mel Blanc was born in 1908. He provided the voices for Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and many other Looney Tunes characters. Which is your favorite cartoon character? Why do you like that one?
May 31:
Mary, Mona, Roberta, and Leota Keys became the first quadruplets to graduate from college in 1937, when all of them received degrees from Baylor University. How would you like to be a quadruplet? What are three advantages, and three disadvantages, of having three brothers or sisters your own age?
In 1890, cars were rare, but bicycles were common and popular. They could go as fast as a horse, and you didn't have to feed them, but many of them had no brakes. You had to drag your feet to stop. The Society of American Wheelmen was founded to work for improved roads and safety. What kind of bicycle do you have, or would you like to have?
Clint Eastwood was born in 1930. He starred in or directed many action movies. What movie actor is your favorite? Why do you like him or her?
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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.