Literature, Literacy and Current Events

Douglas Brinkley to students: Lead a dignified life

Sept. 21, 2018 - The life of Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was one defined by grace and grit, a combination reified in her tireless work to peacefully fight for her civil rights and the civil rights of all Americans, especially African Americans. Douglas Brinkley, author of Rosa Parks: A Life, the definitive biography of her life, eloquently delivered the Keynote Address at last Friday's Student News Net Symposium, held at the University of Iowa.

Word of the Day

dignified: adjective;related to dignity, the quality of taking the higher ground, being civil; Find it in blue in today's top story!

Writing Practice

Practice your writing skills with the story above!

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Writing Progress

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Text Sets

Nation pauses for Sept. 11 anniversary
Sept. 11, 2018 - Solemn ceremonies will be held today in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Penn. to honor those killed on 9/11.

Weekly VOCAB

Week of September 24

affixed: verb; signed; put in place;
Sept. 17, 1787: US Constitution adopted

codify: verb; to establish, to list, to identify steps or procedures;
Learn about space station research in real time

motivate: verb; prompt, encourage, move to do something;
Biggest Week ends for 90,000 birders, not birds

Today In History

September 24

1936: Jim Henson, creator of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and many other muppets that became stars of television and movies, was born.

1896: Library of Congress: Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, best known for his classic American novel The Great Gatsby, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Named for his distant cousin Francis Scott Key, author of the "The Star-Spangled Banner," Fitzgerald was descended, on his father's side, from a long line of Marylanders. His mother, Mary McQuillan, was the daughter of an Irish immigrant who made his fortune as a wholesale grocer in St. Paul. Fitzgerald achieved fame almost overnight with the 1920 publication of his first novel, This Side of Paradise.

More News

Monarch butterflies preparing to migrate

Sept. 20, 2018 - Monarch butterflies in the United States are on the move.
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Thousands rescued during Hurricane Florence

Sept. 19, 2018 - Thousands of people have been rescued by thousands of first responders.
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NASA names new chief flight director

Sept. 18, 2018 - Yesterday NASA named Holly Ridings as its new chief flight director, the first woman to be named to that position.
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Sept. 17, 1787: US Constitution adopted

Sept.17, 2018 - On this day in 1787, the US Constitution was adopted.
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Florence producing catastrophic flooding

Sept 15, 2018 - Hurricane Florence has been downgraded but is producing torrential rain.
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Hurricane Florence makes landfall

Sept. 14, 2018 - Hurricane Florence made landfall this morning near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
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More News >

Extra! Extra! Feature Article

Hands-on, heads-up, hearts-in learning permeates INSPIRE Day

Sept. 18, 2017 - The Norman Borlaug Boyhood Home in Cresco, Iowa served as an outdoor classroom Friday for more than 250 fifth graders.

Questions

How did Norman Borlaug save the lives of one billion people through his research and work in Mexico?
How is the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation keeping the legacy of Norman Borlaug alive?
What does it mean to "literally walk in the footsteps of Dr. Norman Borlaug?"

INSPIRE Day was an exciting, informative and educational field trip for students.

	I Approve This Message: Decoding Political Ads: Since 1952, political ads have aired on television during presidential elections. Seismic changes have occurred in the nation since that time but the power and punch of political ads remain the same.
	Major flooding impacts Iowa: Thousands of residents in eastern and central Iowa spent the Sept. 24-25 weekend filling and placing sandbags around buildings to protect against rising water predicted to reach flood stage in many locations.
	Scrumptious Salsa Science: Salsa is scrumptious, a fun food that is super nutritious, super easy to make, and super science. Learn how hydroponic vegetables are grown with Bryan Ellis from the Toledo Natural Science Technology Center.
	One Hot and Cool Topic: The Art - and Science - of Glass: Watch a master instructor of glassblowing sculpt a bowl from a gob of molten glass.
	What are the Iowa Caucuses?: Learn the history of the Iowa Caucuses through "First in the Nation," an exhibit at the Iowa Historical Museum in Des Moines.

In The News

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	Practice your writing skills by summarizing the information contained in the story at the left. What is the main point of the story? What are the key findings? Why is the story an important one? What are its implications? When finished, you can either print or email your document.