Secondary – December 15

Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, was born on this date in 1904. The women in the story’s family are described as “made out of thin invisible steel.” Write five similarly evocative metaphors that describe your family.

Primary – December 15

Gustave Eiffel, who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris, was born on this date in 1832. The mayor of Montreal, Canada wanted to temporarily move the Eiffel Tower from Paris as an attraction for a world fair in 1967. If you could move any structure in the world to your town, which one would you choose, and why?

Secondary – December 14

Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was born in France on this date in 1503. Explain why you agree or disagree with the idea that it is possible to predict the future with substantial accuracy.

Primary – December 14

On this date in 1911,  Roald Amundsen of Norway and his team became the first people to reach the South Pole on Antarctica, which was the last continent explored by humans. Where do you think humans should explore next, and why?

Secondary – December 13

Sir Francis Drake launched on a three-year journey around the world on this date in 1577. Describe what you imagine your life would be like if you were to be away from, and unable to communicate with, your family and friends for three years.

Primary – December 13

Explain why you would rather be a great artist, a great athlete, or a great public leader.

Secondary – December 12

The first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, John Jay, was born on this date in 1745. He was also co-author of the Federalist Papers. He wrote in Georgia v. Brailsford (1794), “The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy.” What does this idea mean to you, and do you agree or disagree?

Primary – December 12

Gustave Flaubert, born on this date in 1821, said, “The future is the worst thing about the present.” What do you think he meant when he said this?