1. LEAP TOGETHER

At the University of Maryland’s graduation, students were surprised and excited to hear a speech from a very special guest—Kermit the Frog! Dressed in a tiny cap and gown, Kermit stood at the podium and shared words of encouragement. He reminded the Class of 2025 that life is better when we help each other and “leap together.” Kermit also told the students to follow their dreams and write their own story, just like a movie. He ended his speech with a song—“Rainbow Connection”—and left everyone smiling. Kermit was chosen to speak because his creator, Jim Henson, went to the University of Maryland and first made Kermit there! Write a short letter to Kermit the Frog telling him what you liked most about his graduation speech. Did his message about helping others or following your dreams stand out to you? How do you try to be kind or brave in your own life? You can also include a question you’d like to ask Kermit if you got to meet him in person!

2. RICE CRISIS

In Japan, rice is a very important food, but lately it’s been hard to find and very expensive. The trouble started when people began panic-buying rice last summer. Some farmers were also growing less rice because the government had asked them to grow other crops. The result? There wasn’t enough rice for everyone. The price of Japan’s favorite rice, called Koshihikari, has doubled! Some stores are even limiting how much rice each person can buy. People are upset, and one government leader had to quit after saying he never had to buy rice because people just gave it to him. That made people angry. To help, the government is releasing emergency rice that it saved for disasters. But only a little bit has made it to stores so far. Some shops are even starting to sell rice from other countries, like the U.S., to help fill the gap. Japan’s leaders are now trying to figure out how to fix the problem and make sure there’s enough rice for everyone. Imagine your town had a food shortage like Japan is having with rice. What food do you think people would worry about the most, and why? Write a few sentences explaining what you think your family or school could do to help if a favorite food became too expensive or hard to find. Be sure to include one idea to help make sure everyone gets a fair share.

3. SHIPWRECKS IN THE GREAT LAKES

In Lake Ontario, scientists are using a special underwater robot named Rhody to explore shipwrecks deep under the water. These old ships sank a long time ago, and now they rest at the bottom of the lake. The team, including college students and experts, is using Rhody’s camera to take clear pictures and make 3D computer models of the sunken ships. Some ships are very old and still have items like barrels and tools inside! This project helps people learn about the past and why it’s important to protect these underwater treasures before they get damaged. The lake is cold and clear, which helps keep the shipwrecks in good shape for a long time. Imagine you are a news reporter sent to cover the discovery of a brand-new shipwreck in Lake Ontario. Write a short news article describing what was found, how the underwater robot Rhody helped, and why this discovery is exciting for historians and scientists. Include quotes from your “interviews” with the scientists and add your thoughts about why preserving shipwrecks is important. Make sure your article has a headline, a strong opening sentence, and explains why this story matters to readers your age.

4. GEEKED ABOUT GECKOS

In Brooklyn, New York, there’s a tiny new zoo just for geckos! It’s called the Gecko Gallery NYC and it opens the weekend of May 23. Inside, there are about 150 lizards, including 60 to 70 different kinds of geckos from all over the world. The zoo was started by two men named Richie and Joseph, who have loved geckos since they were kids. They built special tanks, or terrariums, to make the lizards feel at home—like tiny rainforests and rocky cliffs. Some tanks even have fish, shrimp, and flowing water! The goal of the Gecko Gallery is to teach people that even small animals like geckos are important and need protection. Geckos can live in deserts, forests, and lots of different places, and they come in many colors and shapes. Visitors can see rare species up close and maybe even hold one. The founders hope that by meeting geckos, more people will care about helping animals and saving nature. Design your own gecko habitat! Using what you learned from the article, draw a terrarium (a tank or enclosure) that would be the perfect home for a gecko. Think about where your gecko is from—does it live in a rainforest, a desert, or near cliffs? What kinds of plants, rocks, or water does it need? Label the different parts of your habitat, and then write 2–3 sentences explaining how your design helps the gecko stay healthy and happy.

5. LESSONS IN SPORTS

In the Bronx, a special wrestling club called the Lucha Wrestling Club is giving high school girls a place to train, grow stronger, and feel proud of themselves. These girls come from different backgrounds, and many have faced big challenges like moving from other countries or not having a steady home. At the Lucha club, they work hard and support each other while learning wrestling skills. Their coach, Mr. Lee, started the club to help more girls get involved in the sport and even go to college. Some wrestlers have gone on to wrestle at big schools like Columbia University. Wrestling helps these girls feel more confident, stay focused, and believe in themselves. Even though it’s a tough sport, they say it teaches them important lessons they can use in life. After reading about the Lucha Wrestling Club, write a short paragraph about a sport or activity that is important to you. It could be something you play at school, with friends, or even something you do on your own like dancing, biking, or drawing. Explain how it makes you feel and what it has taught you. If you don’t have a favorite activity yet, write about something you would like to try and why. Then, share your paragraph with a classmate and talk about what you learned from each other’s experiences.