Secondary – December 16

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás, known as George Santayana, born on this date in 1863. Describe the best method you’ve discovered for remembering the past.

Primary – December 16

“Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors.” -Ludwig van Beethoven, born on this date in 1770. Describe a time you had to admit that you made a mistake and how it made you feel.

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.