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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support. FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 04, 2023 List-making ideas: New video games and other holiday tech gifts![]() ![]() Can you spot gifts β digital or others β that you want?
![]() Find a local performance, display or other holiday event announcement that sounds like fun.
![]() Look for people or a charity helping the less fortunate. Who benefits and how?
Tech devices and accessories that you give or get this season can be practical as well as cool. Check out new games, digital gadgets and electronic tools. "Starfield," a three-month-old game for Xbox Series X and Series S consoles and Windows PCs "presents the mystery, wonder and terror of space," says a New York Times review. It's from Bethesda Game Studios, creator of "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and "Fallout" games. It's βthe biggest launch the Xbox Game Pass service has ever had," The Times adds. That paper also recommends "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor," released last spring and improved since then to fix visual performance bugs. "The lightsaber combat feels smooth and dynamic, the story is as cinematic as ever, and the scenery is beautiful," says a review. A world-building strategy game called "Terra Nil" (for PC, Mac and Linux) is set on a ruined planet and challenges players to create tools for undoing an ecological collapse wrought by humans, to reintroduce a sustainable amount of biodiversity and climate, and then to remove all traces of being there. For playing games with voice chat or for online classes, JBuddies Play headphones from JLab ($35) have a retractable boom mic. When watching streaming shows or listening to music, the microphone stick retracts into the earcup to transform the accessory into normal-looking Bluetooth headphones. If you play a lot of PC games, a more comfortable mouse with fast response times, a precise sensor, more customizable buttons and pretty lights is a worthy upgrade. The Basilisk V3 model from Razer ($50-$70) is comfortable for most hand sizes and grip types, has plenty of buttons, and offers customizable underglow lighting. (It's not compatible with Mac computers, though.) Here's more to consider asking for or picking up as a present for someone on your list:
Front Page Talking Points is written by
Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2025
Front Page Talking Points Archive►Courts try to halt rushed removals of alleged gang members, testing presidential powers ►U.S. Education Department shrinks as the president tries to 'move education back to the states' ►Batter up: Odd-looking 'torpedo bat' apparently can help players smash home runs ►Top U.S. officials mistakenly leaked Yemen attack phone chat messages before jets and missiles flew ►Trump stirs drama with talk of wanting Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal ►Measles outbreaks bring reminders of need for childhood vaccines ►White House media policy changes spark lawsuit by AP and concerns about presidential access ►'America has turned:' Trump veers away from backing Ukraine in war against Russian invaders |
Step onto any school campus and you'll feel its energy. Each school is turbocharged with the power of young minds, bodies, hearts and spirits.
Here on the Western Slope, young citizens are honing and testing their skills to take on a rapidly changing world. Largely thanks to technology, they are in the midst of the most profound seismic shift the world has ever seen.
Perhaps no time in our history has it been more important to know what our youth are thinking, feeling and expressing.
The Sentinel is proud to spotlight some of their endeavors. Read on to see how some thoroughly modern students are helping learners of all ages connect with notable figures of the past.
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