Secondary – September 22

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado died on this date in 1554 without ever finding any of the seven cities of gold for which he searched. Argue whether it’s better to have tried but failed to achieve an ambitious goal or to have set and achieved an insignificant goal.

Primary – September 22

“Water is to me, I confess, a phenomenon which continually awakens new feelings of wonder as often as I view it.” -English scientist Michael Faraday, who was born on this date in 1791. Describe what you see when you look at water.

Secondary – September 21

On this day in 1970, The New York Times premiered a new section called the Op-Ed Page, a section opposite the editorial page given over to columnists and illustrators to opine on the issues of the day. What’s your opinion about whether newspapers should express opinions or report only facts?

Primary – September 21

JRR Tolkien published The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, on this day in 1937. Describe the scariest place you want to visit.

Secondary – September 20

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” -Upton Sinclair, born on this date in 1878. Write a story about a situation in which you’ve observed Sinclair is wrong.

Primary – September 20

Reading instruction pioneer Rebecca Smith Pollard was born on this date in 1831. Compare how reading makes you feel to how listening to music makes you feel.

Secondary – September 19

William Golding was born on this date in 1911. He said, “Sleep is when all the unsorted stuff comes flying out as from a dustbin upset in a high wind.” Describe the last dream you remember.

Primary – September 19

Tell a story about the dream you’d like to have tonight.