11/11/2020: President signs order backing 1 Trillion Trees effort - U.S. Energy Use

 

Today's Article: President signs order backing 1 Trillion Trees effort
From: The Washington Examiner
Readability Score: 15.0

The White House recently supported an initiative called One Trillion Trees, an effort to address climate change by planting a huge number of trees over the next decade. Discuss various efforts to address climate change and provide power in this article; then help your students see why reliable energy makes a huge difference in people's lives in People, Power, & Prosperity!

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: U.S. Energy Use
Readability Score: 8.1

11/4/2020: Crews vacuum ‘murder hornets’ out of Washington nest - Canned Corn Shortages

Today's Article: Crews vacuum ‘murder hornets’ out of Washington nest
From: Associated Press
Readability Score: 11.4

Several months ago the story of 'murder hornets' reaching our shores got a lot of press. Scientists have located and eradicated a large nest in Washington state, making progress in eliminating the threat. Discuss news hype and/or ecosystems with today's article. These hornets are one of many threats to bees; you may want to follow up with izzit.org's Bee the Change.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Canned Corn Shortages
Readability Score: 6.7

Did you know our videos have sub plans? They are great for either planned or unexpected absences! Check them out. Go to any educational video's page and click on Teacher Resources. 

11/3/2020: The world’s whitest white is here—and it’s coming to a roof near you - ‘Frozen smoke’ could protect electronics from annoying static

Today's Article: The world’s whitest white is here—and it’s coming to a roof near you
From: Fast Company
Readability Score: 10.7

Can the whitest paint ever reduce heat islands?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: ‘Frozen smoke’ could protect electronics from annoying static
Readability Score: 8.0

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11/2/2020: The forklift truck drivers who never leave their desks - Judge Orders Richmond's Robert E. Lee Statue Can Be Removed

Today's Article: The forklift truck drivers who never leave their desks
From: BBC.com
Readability Score: 12.4

Can dangerous work be done effectively from home?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Judge Orders Richmond's Robert E. Lee Statue Can Be Removed
Readability Score: 9.1 

10/30/2020: Senate confirms Supreme Court nominee a week ahead of Election Day - Rapper Ice Cube clarifies why he's working with Trump

Today's Article: Senate confirms Supreme Court nominee a week ahead of Election Day
From: CNN
Readability Score: 14.5

Senate Confirms Amy Coney Barret 52 - 48. Will this impact the election?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Rapper Ice Cube clarifies why he's working with Trump
Readability Score: 8.4 

10/29/2020: Quibi shuts down - service draws little interest in short-form videos - Biden ad - struggling bar owner is wealthy investor and donor

 

Today's Article: Quibi shuts down - service draws little interest in short-form videos
From: The Los Angeles Times
Readability Score: 12.0

Jeffrey Katzenberg guided Disney through a renaissance in the 1990s, but he couldn't make a winner out of Quibi, one of the latest entries in the streaming wars. Discuss the risks of starting a new business, and the role of venture capital, with today's article. Then use izzit.org's Inventing the Futureto help students see how venture capitalists shape our world.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Biden ad - struggling bar owner is wealthy investor and donor
Readability Score: 9.0

Election Day is Tuesday! Need materials to use with your students? Check out our Mock Election Materials!

10/28/2020: Pandemic driving children back to work, jeopardizing gains - Pandemic Economy

Today's Article: Pandemic driving children back to work, jeopardizing gains
From: Associated Press
Readability Score: 11.1

After two decades of declines in child labor around the world, the pandemic has led to millions of children having to go to work to help feed their families. Discuss this disturbing trend in today's article; then provide a reminder of what education means to children in the developing world with Victoria's Chance.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Pandemic Economy
Readability Score: 8.1

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10/27/2020: 21 Businesses Sue Seattle Over Harms Caused by CHOP - Trees power this alarm system for remote forest fires

Today's Article: 21 Businesses Sue Seattle Over Harms Caused by CHOP
From: Newsweek
Readability Score: 17.7

Is Seattle complicit in harming businesses by supporting protesters?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Trees power this alarm system for remote forest fires
Readability Score: 7.0

Looking for materials on the election to use with your students? Look no more! Check out our Mock Election materials - lesson plan includes vocabulary words, discussion questions, a mock (federal) ballot, and even an online voting platform to use if your students are working from home! Mock Election Materials.

10/26/2020: San Diego Unified School District Changes Grading System to ‘Combat Racism' - The New York plastic bag ban is finally being enforced in businesses across the state

Today's Article: San Diego Unified School District Changes Grading System to ‘Combat Racism'
From: NBCSanDiego
Readability Score: 10.2

Are grading policies racially unjust?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: The New York plastic bag ban is finally being enforced in businesses across the state
Readability Score: 8.7 

10/22/2020: Indie Bookstores Jump Onboard Anti-Amazon “Boxed Out” Campaign - Hormel is giving away bacon-scented face masks

Today's Article: Indie Bookstores Jump Onboard Anti-Amazon “Boxed Out” Campaign
From: Associated Press
Readability Score: 12.4

Lots of people love Amazon, but a lot of businesses struggle to compete. Independent booksellers tried a publicity stunt to draw attention to their struggles. Learn more about local business Davids vs. the Goliath Amazon; then discuss the idea of creative destruction with izzit.org's Paradox of Progress.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Hormel is giving away bacon-scented face masks
Readability Score: 7.9

Looking for great materials to cover the election with your students? Get our Mock Election materials. We've even got stickers for your students. (Order soon - mail is running behind schedule!) Start here: Mock Election Materials.

10/12/2020: Trek-Segafredo suspends Quinn Simmons for ‘divisive, incendiary’ statements on Twitter - For Subway, A Ruling Not So Sweet. Irish Court Says Its Bread Isn't Bread

Today's Article: Trek-Segafredo suspends Quinn Simmons for ‘divisive, incendiary’ statements on Twitter
From: Velonews.com
Readability Score: 11.3

Is free speech free from consequence?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: For Subway, A Ruling Not So Sweet. Irish Court Says Its Bread Isn't Bread
Readability Score: 8.2 

10/9/2020: The search is on for a nest of murder hornets in Washington state - Being a Good Sport Helps Kids' Mental Health

Today's Article: The search is on for a nest of murder hornets in Washington state
From: CNN
Readability Score: 10.4

On the hunt to kill a killer: Scientists search for 'Murder Hornet' nest.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Being a Good Sport Helps Kids' Mental Health
Readability Score: 9.7 

10/8/2020: CA task force to consider reparations - Disneyland joins critics against reopening rules

Today's Article: CA task force to consider reparations
From: The Los Angeles Times
Readability Score: 14.5

Does America owe anything to the descendants of slaves? California has established a committee to explore the issue. This article examines some past reparations paid by the US government and some effects of racial discrimination. Consider the arguments for and against reparations; then follow up with a discussion of inflation (for those who think 'printing more money' will work) with izzit's Too Much Money.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Disneyland joins critics against reopening rules
Readability Score: 10.0

Teach how the laws of the United States, including the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions, impacted Black history in our country by using our free online course, The U.S. Constitution & Black History. 

10/7/2020: Biden Gets Nobel Peace Prize Nomination - LEGO Investing

Today's Article: Biden Gets Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
From: People Magazine
Readability Score: 13.2

President Trump was proud to share his nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year (he actually has two nominations now). Recently a member of the British Parliament nominated Joe Biden for his "strength in political debate and argument." Discuss the prize and the politics in today's article. Then follow up with Pax Americana to consider what America's role in world affairs should be.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: LEGO Investing
Readability Score: 7.9 

10/5/2020: Male baboons get health benefits from platonic friendships with females - The exotic ‘atom’ positronium surprises scientists

Today's Article: Male baboons get health benefits from platonic friendships with females
From: Washington Post
Readability Score: 10.3

Does having friends of the opposite sex increase lifespan? A baboon study suggests it might.

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: The exotic ‘atom’ positronium surprises scientists
Readability Score: 8.5

The Supreme Court reconvenes this week, albeit with an empty seat. Help your students understand the impact the Supreme Court has on the United States by using some of our case-specific Teachable Moments videos. Find the full selection on our Constitutional Materials Page.

10/2/2020: Kamala Harris' Supreme Court hearing participation could be unprecedented - Stranger answers call to get Chromebooks to Baltimore teacher’s students

Today's Article: Kamala Harris' Supreme Court hearing participation could be unprecedented
From: ABC News
Readability Score: 11.7

Kamala Harris poised for unprecedented SCOTUS role

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Stranger answers call to get Chromebooks to Baltimore teacher’s students
Readability Score: 7.0