1. MORE MUSIC FOR THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

The Library of Congress has added 25 new sounds and songs to the National Recording Registry, a special list that helps protect important audio recordings in American history. These recordings include famous music, funny moments, sports broadcasts, and even computer sounds. Some of the new additions include the cast album of the musical Hamilton, pop songs by Celine Dion and Mary J. Blige, and the start-up chime from Windows 95. The oldest recording added this year is a Hawaiian song from 1913, and the newest is from 2015. The people who run the registry say these sounds are like a playlist of American life, showing what’s been important to people over time. Think about a sound or song that is important to you. It could be a favorite song, a sound from a video game, or even a sound from your home or school. Write 3 to 5 sentences explaining what the sound is, why you chose it, and why you think it should be saved in a place like the National Recording Registry. Does it remind you of a special memory? Does it make you feel happy, excited, or calm? Be sure to explain why your sound matters to you.

2. HOME OF FAMOUS MUSIC

Abbey Road’s Studio One in London is one of the most famous music studios in the world. It’s where songs and movie soundtracks like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and even Barbie have been recorded. It first opened in 1931 and has welcomed famous singers and composers like The Beatles, Adele, and Elton John. The studio was recently cleaned and updated, but the workers were very careful not to change how it sounds. That’s because the sound inside the room is very special, and musicians say it feels magical. Studio One is so big, it can fit an entire orchestra and choir at the same time! People from around the world visit just to stand outside, and it’s still used today to make music history.  Imagine you’re helping a movie composer record sounds for a new film at Abbey Road’s Studio One. Your job is to find or create five interesting sounds from everyday life that could be used in a movie soundtrack. Write a paragraph that lists your five sounds (like clapping hands, tapping pencils, jingling keys, etc.) and explain what kind of scene each sound could go with in a movie. For example, maybe the sound of footsteps could be used in a mystery scene, or a soda can opening could be part of a party.

Scientists in Taiwan have discovered an old jawbone that they believe came from a mysterious group of ancient humans called Denisovans. Denisovans were human relatives who lived a long time ago, along with Neanderthals and early humans like us. Not many Denisovan bones have ever been found, so this jawbone is very special. It was found in the ocean near Taiwan and later studied by scientists from Taiwan, Japan, and Denmark. Even though the fossil was too old to get DNA from, the scientists were able to find protein in the bone that matched Denisovan fossils found in Siberia. This discovery helps show that Denisovans may have lived in more places than scientists thought before. Pretend you’re making a museum display about the Denisovan jawbone found near Taiwan. Your job is to write a short description card that would go next to the fossil in a museum. In your paragraph, explain where the fossil was found, who the Denisovans were, and why this discovery is important. Try to make your writing interesting and easy to understand for other kids your age who might visit the museum. You can give your display a fun title like “Mystery Jawbone from the Deep!” and imagine what questions museum visitors might ask when they see it.

4. MUPPET FOR SPEAKER

Kermit the Frog will be the graduation speaker at the University of Maryland this year! The famous Muppet was invited because the man who created Kermit, Jim Henson, went to that same school many years ago. Jim Henson made the first Kermit puppet from an old coat and a ping-pong ball. Kermit says he’s excited to give a speech to the students and cheer them on as they start their new adventures. The university says it’s an honor to have Kermit speak, and they are proud of their connection to the Muppets. Kermit hopes his words will help inspire the graduates to go out and do great things in the world. Pretend you are a reporter and you get the chance to interview Kermit the Frog before he gives his graduation speech. Your job is to come up with three interesting questions to ask him. Think about what you’re curious to know—maybe how he feels about speaking at a graduation, what advice he has for students, or how he stays so cheerful. After you write your questions, imagine what Kermit might say and write answers in his voice, using what you know about his kind and funny personality. Make sure your questions and answers are in complete sentences.

5. CHICKEN JOCKEY

A new movie called A Minecraft Movie is getting kids super excited in theaters. In one funny scene, actor Jack Black yells “Chicken jockey!”—a silly phrase from the Minecraft video game. In the game, a chicken jockey is a baby zombie riding a chicken! When Jack Black shouts it in the movie, kids in the audience cheer, laugh, and even throw popcorn. The movie’s director thinks the excitement is fun, but some theaters are asking people to calm down. Some even banned kids from coming without an adult. Even though things have gotten wild, many people say it’s cool to see young fans having so much fun at the movies again. Imagine you are a movie director making your own Minecraft movie. After reading about how excited kids got when Jack Black yelled “Chicken jockey!” in A Minecraft Movie, think about what kind of funny or exciting moment you would include in your film. In this activity, you’ll create your own silly Minecraft creature, give it a name, and come up with a funny line a character might shout when it appears. Then, write a short paragraph describing your scene—what’s happening, who is in it, and how the audience might react. Would they laugh, cheer, or gasp in surprise? Be creative and use your imagination to make your scene just as memorable as “Chicken jockey!”