Secondary – November 17

“When you grow up in a totally segregated society, where everybody around you believes that segregation is proper, you have a hard time. You can’t believe how much it’s a part of your thinking.” -Shelby Foote, born on this date in 1916. Describe a time you learned your thinking was confused because everyone surrounding you was thinking the same way.

Primary – November 17

August Ferdinand Möbius was born on this date in 1790. Describe what you think the world would look like without math.

Secondary – November 16

On this date in 1907, Oklahoma was admitted to the United States. If you had to set a story in Oklahoma, what kind of story would it be – and what would happen?

Primary – November 16

W.C. Handy, who is considered the father of blues music, was born in Alabama on this date in 1873. He once said this: “Life is like a trumpet – if you don’t put anything into it, you don’t get anything out of it.” What do you think he meant when he said that? You can listen to a recording of W.C. Handy’s Memphis Blues by clicking on song the title.

Secondary – November 15

“There never was a war that was not inward.” -Marianne Moore, born on this date in 1887. What’s the most recent war you’ve had with yourself, and which side won?

Primary – November 15

Children’s book author and poet Daniel Pinkwater was born on this date in 1941. In his book Lizard Music, he wrote, “Chickens have an uncanny sense of direction.” Where would a chicken need to go — and why?

Secondary – November 14

On this date in 1889, newspaper reporter Nellie Bly launched her own attempt to break Phileas Fogg’s fictional record of voyaging around the world in 80 days, described by Jules Verne. She succeeded, making the trip in 72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds. If you had been trying to break her record in 1890, how would you have planned your travel?

Primary – November 14

Astrid Lindgren, the author of the Pippi Longstocking books, was born in Sweden on this date in 1907. Pippi is the strongest girl in the world. If you were that strong, how would you use your strength?