Secondary – April 9

The US Civil War ended on this date in 1865 when Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Describe your opinions about an issue you consider so important that you would go to war against your own family if they were on the other side of that issue.

Primary – April 9

Write about a time when you acted out something you read in a book or saw on TV or in a movie.

Secondary – April 8

Buddhists celebrate this date as the birth of the sage Siddhārtha Gautama in 563 BC. The Buddha instructed, “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” True or false? Defend your answer with examples from your life.

Primary – April 8

Buddhists celebrate this date as the birth of the sage Siddhārtha Gautama in 563 BC. The Buddha taught, “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.” Explain why you think he might be talking about something more than just candles.

Secondary – April 7

“I agree that there are things that should be kept secret.” -Daniel Ellsberg, the U.S. Defense Department analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers, born on this date in 1931. Describe where you think the line is between what your government should keep secret and make public.

Primary – April 7

Which is worse: never starting or never finishing?

Secondary – April 6

On this date in 1917, the United States officially entered World War I, although the war was being fought between America’s allies and enemies on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Think about whether you agree or disagree that the US had a national interest in fighting a distant war, and then describe the arguments against your opinion.

Primary – April 6

On this date in 1909, American explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson became the first explorers to reach the North Pole. However, they learned that another person claimed to have done the same thing a year earlier. Describe how you feel when someone else takes credit for something you’ve done.