1. SKI RACER WINS OLYMPIC GOLD

Breezy Johnson won a gold medal in the women’s downhill skiing race at the Winter Olympics in Italy. She skied down a very steep and icy mountain faster than all the other racers, becoming the first American to win Olympic downhill gold in 16 years. Johnson had worked toward this moment for a long time and had to overcome serious injuries and setbacks along the way. When she crossed the finish line, she felt proud knowing she had skied her very best run. Her win was also the first medal for the United States at these Olympic Games. Imagine you are a sports reporter writing a short blurb for kids your age who did not watch the race. Write 4 to 5 sentences explaining what downhill skiing is, what made Breezy Johnson’s win special, and one challenge she had to overcome to reach this moment. End with one sentence explaining what this story teaches about not giving up after setbacks.

2. THE MAGIC BEHIND SUPER BOWL CONFETTI

Every year at the Super Bowl, colorful confetti rains down on the field to celebrate the winning team. A man named Noah Winter has been in charge of this confetti drop for 30 years, carefully planning the timing, colors, and shapes so it looks perfect on TV. The confetti is made from recycled paper and is designed to flutter slowly through the air instead of falling straight down. There are even two confetti drops, one when the game ends and another when the team receives the trophy. For players and families, the confetti turns a big win into a joyful, playful moment. Write a short paragraph explaining how the confetti drop is carefully planned and why the timing and colors matter so much. Include at least one reason why the confetti being recyclable and biodegradable is important, even during a big, exciting event.

3. N.A.S.A. WAITS TO SEND ASTRONAUTS AROUND THE MOON

NASA has delayed its next astronaut mission to the moon because of dangerous hydrogen fuel leaks during a rocket test. Hydrogen is very powerful but also hard to control, so engineers stopped the countdown to keep everyone safe. The astronauts were training to fly around the moon, which would be the first human trip there in more than 50 years. NASA plans to use the extra time to fix the problem and test the rocket again before launch. Even though delays are disappointing, scientists say safety and learning from mistakes are more important than rushing. Write 4 to 5 sentences explaining what went wrong during the rocket test and why scientists decided to stop the countdown. Include one example from everyday life where stopping, fixing a problem, and trying again later is safer or smarter than rushing ahead.

4. CAN APES USE THEIR IMAGINATION?

Scientists studied a bonobo named Kanzi to learn whether apes can play pretend like young children do. In an experiment, researchers pretended to pour juice into cups and asked Kanzi which cup he wanted. Most of the time, Kanzi chose the cup that was supposed to still have pretend juice, showing he understood the idea. When real juice was used, he clearly chose the real drink instead of the imaginary one. Some scientists think this shows early imagination, while others believe more proof is needed to know for sure. Write a paragraph explaining what the pretend juice experiment was meant to test and what Kanzi’s choices showed.

5. NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK IS GETTING BIGGER

Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the United States, is expanding to include two nearby parks called Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole. This expansion will add more land, new hiking trails, and better paths so visitors can explore more than just the famous waterfalls. The goal is to help people discover quieter areas with river views, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Park leaders hope visitors will stay longer and learn more about the area’s nature and history. The added parks will still be free to enter, making it easier for everyone to enjoy them. Write 4 to 5 sentences describing how adding new trails, signs, and park zones could change the way people experience Niagara Falls State Park. Then explain one reason why spreading visitors across a larger space can help protect nature and make visits more enjoyable.