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 These lessons go along with The Mini Page, a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children printed in The Denver Post each Wednesday.
(Click here to find out how to get licenses of the eEdition of The Denver Post featuring The Mini Page. The eEdition is provided free of charge for classroom use to Colorado educators. Remember, with the eEdition, you have access to 4 weeks of The Mini Page at a time, plus you can access back issues as far back as April, 2004 in the eArchive.)
Click on the date and title to get the lesson.
2011
Aug. 3 -
Celebrate a Muslim Holiday
Ramadan begins this year on Aug. 1. The Mini Page explores the religion of Islam and the meaning of Muslims' most important holiday, Ramadan.
Aug. 10 -
Working for the American Dream
A new exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum chronicles and celebrates the great innovations of the 19th century in America. The Mini Page highlights six big ideas that spurred many advancements during those years.
Aug. 17 -
Meet Davy Crockett
Folk hero Davy Crockett led a full and adventurous life. This year would be his 225th birthday. The Mini Page looks back at both the historical figure and the folk hero character.
Aug. 24 -
A New Memorial
On Sunday, Aug. 28, a new memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C., will be dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Aug. 28 is the anniversary of his "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington in 1963. The Mini Page learns more about the building of the memorial and Dr. King.
Aug. 31 -
Meet Author Jennifer L. Holm
Introduce kids to this fall's award-winning books with this issue of The Mini Page. The edition features an interview with Jennifer Holm, a Newbery Honor Book winner.
Sept. 7 -
Remembering 9/11 Many of today's readers of The Mini Page weren't alive or don't remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001. This issue highlights three memorials -- at the former site of the World Trade Center, in Arlington, Va., at the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pa. -- to the victims and responders on that unforgettable day. It also touches on how we can deal with feelings of anger and frustration in healthy ways.
Sept. 14 -
It's Lunchtime!
Most kids have walked through the school lunch line at least once, but many don't know that school lunches were not always available to students. This issue gives a history of school lunches and offers some information about the new guidelines from the USDA for healthy eating.
Sept. 21 -
Homework Help
As school gets under way, it's time to review some good habits and practices for getting homework done effectively. The Mini Page shares some ideas about creating a homework "station" and staying organized as homework heats up.
Sept. 28 -
Autumn Apples
Everyone loves a delicious, juicy apple. The Mini Page talks with a grower and packager in Washington to find out more about how one of our favorite fruits is grown, harvested and moved to the supermarket.
Oct. 5 -
Pop … Pop … Popcorn!
When you think of watching a movie, you think of popcorn. The popularity of this whole grain really exploded when vendors sold popcorn outside the movie theaters in the early 1900s. In this issue, The Mini Page pops questions about popular popcorn.
Oct. 12 -
Protect Your Family
Oct. 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week. In this issue of The Mini Page, we emphasize the importance of testing smoke alarms, changing batteries, and making a plan of escape from your family home in case of fire. We also share some history of how Fire Prevention Week got started and of its spokesdog, Sparky.
Oct. 19 -
Zoo Veterinarians
How do zoo vets know how to treat the wide variety of animals who live in their midst? This issue of The Mini Page shares some of the secrets that vets use to treat large or dangerous animals and discusses how zoos work with conservation groups to ensure that some species will not become extinct.
Oct. 26 -
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Kids have been trick-or-treating for UNICEF for more than 60 years. Millions of children are alive and thriving today because people have given to this worldwide organization. But still, every year, 1.5 million children under 5 die because they do not have clean drinking water and sanitation. The Mini Page looks at the history and programs of UNICEF as they work to help the world's most vulnerable citizens.
Nov. 2 -
Brooklyn Navy Yard
For 160 years, a shipyard in Brooklyn, N.Y., was the birthplace of many ships, including some famous vessels. This huge complex employed as many as 70,000 men and women working on shifts seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The Mini Page explores how the enormous ships are built and the history of the shipyard, where a new museum is opening this fall.
Nov. 9 -
Meet the Marines
Veterans Day is Nov. 11. To commemorate the holiday, The Mini Page visits the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., 30 miles south of Washington, D.C. We highlight the history of the Marine Corps from its beginning in 1775 through its role in current conflicts.
Nov. 16 -
Good Table Manners
The holidays are coming up, so it's a good time to review our best behavior at the table. The Mini Page makes it fun by letting kids choose which characters they would invite to their holiday dinner.
Nov. 23 -
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Many of us have so many things to be thankful for we can't even count them all. The Mini Page consults an expert at a pioneer museum to find out what life was like for kids more than 200 years ago — and to remind us of all our present-day blessings.
Nov. 30 -
Holiday Bells
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From "Jingle Bells" to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," Christmas carols sing a joyful song about this holiday symbol. The Mini Page looks at the history of church bells, how bells are made, and a tradition of the season, handbell choirs.
Dec. 7 -
Hanukkah This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The Mini Page learns about this winter holiday and about Judaism's other practices and holidays.
Dec. 14 -
The South Pole
On Dec. 14, 1911, the first human beings discovered the geographic South Pole. The Mini Page finds out more about Roald Amundsen and his party of explorers and their expedition to the harsh climate.
Dec. 21 -
The Story of Christmas
The Mini Page looks at the biblical accounts of Christ's birth, which don't actually mention his birth date. We find out how and why this lovely story became such a powerful force in Western culture.
Dec. 28 -
An Ellis Island Anniversary
Ellis Island processed more new immigrants than any other center in America from 1892 to 1924. The Mini Page explores this "Island of Hope" on the 120th anniversary of its opening.
2012
Jan. 4 -
Primaries and Caucuses It's hard to believe, but primary season begins Jan. 3 with the Iowa caucuses. We open election season with an explanation of the early voting and a rundown of the candidates.
Jan. 11 -
Your 2012 Calendar
The Mini Page 2012 calendar is full of events to look forward to this year, including the 2012 London Olympics and the presidential election. Page 2 is a light-hearted look at some of the superstitions, facts and sayings that surround each of our months.
Jan. 18 -
An Ancient Civilization
The ancient Maya built advanced sky observatories and developed a sophisticated calendar system. Does the fact that their calendar ends in 2012 mean the end of the world? Many people today are having fun with this possibility. The Mini Page examines the science and the real prophecies -- about rain and the sun, not about the end of the world.
Jan. 25 - Pooh's Birthday A.A. Milne, the author of "Winnie-The-Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner," was born 130 years ago. The Mini Page takes a look at the author of these beloved books.
Feb. 1 -
Groundhog Day
The Mini Page looks into the customs surrounding Groundhog Day and finds out more about this cute little animal.
Feb. 8 -
Exoplanets
In the last two years, NASA's Kepler mission has discovered more than 1,200 exoplanets candidates, or what are believed to be planets outside our solar system. Until a few years ago, we knew of no other planets outside our own system. Now we've found marvels such as a planet made of diamond, a planet with an atmosphere as dark as coal, and a planet with two suns, like "Star Wars'" Tatooine. The Mini Page hitches a ride beyond our solar system to explore these strange new worlds.
Feb. 15 -
Be Kind, Be Mine!
Valentine's Day is about more than romance. It's also Random Acts of Kindness Week. We'll learn more about how kids can spread kindness within their families, communities and at school.
Feb. 22 -
Neanderthals
Why did Neanderthals die off about 30,000 years ago while modern humans survived? Who were these people so like ourselves? Until a few years ago, scientists believed Neanderthals were a different species than modern humans. But scientists have recently discovered that Neanderthals and modern humans did mix socially. The Mini Page looks at what we now know about these mysterious people, some of whom were probably our ancestors.
Feb. 29 -
Your Health Report Card
The new year is a great time to remind kids about good health habits. The Mini Page gives readers a chance to "grade" themselves on their good habits and identify which ones need improvement.
Mar. 7 - Newspaper Funnies
Newspapers in Education Week is scheduled for March 5-9 this year. Newspaper comics are some of the first items read by children, so we'll take a closer look.
Mar. 21 - The Art of Video Games
The first of a two-part series, The Mini Page explores the evolution of video game art with experts at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Their new exhibit highlights the striking art and technologies that contribute to this new art form.
Mar. 28 - Video Game Music
For hundreds of years, musicians have used music to enhance storytelling, composing for dramas from ballet to movies. Today, many of the top movie music composers also compose music for video games. The second of a two-part series, this Mini Page takes a look at some of the special creativity needed for games that change each time a new player takes over.
Apr. 4 - Go Fly a Kite!
Spring's windy days give us the urge to get outside with a kite. The Mini Page learns more about these high-flying works of art and some of the tricks of the trade.
Apr. 11 - Meet Illustrator Chris Raschka
The Mini Page talks with author Jack Gantos, winner of the 2012 Newbery award, and Chris Raschka, winner of the 2012 Caldecott award.
Apr. 18 - Geothermal Energy In honor of Earth Day April 22, The Mini Page researches geothermal energy. This type of energy, stored in the Earth and now being tapped to heat homes and provide electricity, is becoming more and more available as technology improves.
Apr. 18 - Geothermal Energy
In honor of Earth Day April 22, The Mini Page researches geothermal energy. This type of energy, stored in the Earth and now being tapped to heat homes and provide electricity, is becoming more and more available as technology improves.
May 9 - A Diamond Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 60 years as the monarch of 16 Commonwealth realms this summer. The Mini Page learns more about the queen and the monarchy, along with her family and her duties.
May 16 - Summer Reading
It's time to choose some summer reading books! The Mini Page helps with a sampling of favorite books.
May 30 - Venus Passes By
This year, humans will get to witness an event that happens only twice every century or so. The transit of Venus, when that planet passes between the Earth and the sun, will happen on June 5-6. The Mini Page tells about the astronomers who identified this event and what it taught them, along with safe ways to view the transit.
June 6 - Sea Birds
Some seabirds make round-trip "grocery trips" from California to Japan every three weeks. Many have special attributes that help them make such a long trip, such as a special coating on their feathers helps keep them warm and dry. The Mini Page learns about these and other special features that help birds survive on the sea.
June 13 - O! London
In July, London will host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. This issue of The Mini Page explores the city with help from the Museum of London. We learn about its history and what it's like today, as well as what changes are being made in advance of the Games.
June 20 - Be a U.K. Expert
Again in advance of the 2012 Olympics, The Mini Page learns more about the United Kingdom. Kids may find different names for this region — Great Britain, England, the UK — confusing, but we straighten it all out and learn about their government, coins and other fun facts.
June 27 - The Magna Carta
Many of the ideas in the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution can be traced back to the Magna Carta, the English document from 1215 that outlined the king's powers. The National Archives has recently revealed its restored copy of the Magna Carta, the only one in the United States. The Mini Page learns about this important document.
July 4 - Happy Birthday, U.S. Constitution
The Mini Page celebrates the 225th anniversary of our Constitution with an issue about the document. We will look at its history and its relevance today, even as the Supreme Court deliberates the constitutionality of laws and judgments in recent history.
July 11 - Seashells
Have you ever hunted for seashells at the seashore? Did you know that they were once the homes of animals from a strange, watery world?
July 18 - Make a Scrapbook
For centuries, people have collected their memories and beautiful objects for safekeeping. Scrapbooking continues to be a popular hobby, and it's a great way for kids to organize their souvenirs and be creative in displaying them. The Mini Page looks at the history of this art form and suggests topics and supplies that will help kids make a scrapbook.
July 25 - Let the Games Begin!
It's time for the Summer Olympics! The Mini Page explores the history of the games, especially in London (this is the city's third time hosting), highlights some of the interesting pictograms used to designate the sports, and gives us a by-the-numbers rundown of what it takes to put on such a big event.
August 1 - Living on the Edge
Life exists in some very extreme places on Earth. This Mini Page takes readers to volcanic vents, nuclear reactors, and below the bottom of the sea to find out what kinds of life can survive and thrive in these conditions.
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