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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.
2012
August 22 - ABCs of Conventions: A Through M
The Mini Page's political reporter, Polly Ticks, takes readers through some of the facts about political conventions in this issue, highlighting the Republican National Convention Aug. 27-30 and the host city, Tampa, Fla.
August 29 - ABCs of Conventions: N Through Z
The Mini Page's political reporter, Polly Ticks, takes readers through some of the facts about political conventions in this issue, highlighting the Republican National Convention Aug. 27-30 and the host city, Tampa, Fla.
September 5 - Meet Author Thanhha Lai
As students head back to school, The Mini Page introduces the author of a Newbery Honor Book award and a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for "Inside Out & Back Again." We also review the Children's Book Council awards and other prize-winning books for 2012.
September 12 - Schools on the Frontier
What was it like for pioneer kids as they returned to the school year? The Mini Page talks with an expert from the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand Island, Neb., to learn more about one-room schools, lessons and lunch boxes in earlier times.
September 19 - First Step to Ending Slavery
Abraham Lincoln published his Emancipation Proclamation 150 years ago this week, on Sept. 22, 1862. The Mini Page explains what slavery means and how Lincoln worked to free the slaves while observing the limitations of the U.S. Constitution.
September 26 - NEON
We see the bright, glowing light of neon all around us, but there's science and art behind all that beauty. The Mini Page talks with a neon artist and the Neon Museum to find out more about these iconic lights.
October 3 - ¡Una Celebración!
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The Mini Page offers mini-profiles of nine countries where our Hispanic roots may lie.
October 10 - More Alike Than Different
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Kids with Down syndrome are commonly part of their more "typical" peers' school community than they once were, and they want their friends to know not how different they are, but how like their classmates they are.
October 17 - We Owe It All to Algae
Kids will be fascinated to learn all about algae and their presence in our lives — and in our foods! This issue not only explains how algae live but shares the views of scientists about what algae might do for us in the future.
October 24 - Maple Trees
The bright scarlet colors of the red maple and the golden leaves of the sugar maple help turn autumn into a bright, glowing season. And the sugar maple gives us sweet syrup besides. In celebration of the season, The Mini Page looks at the versatile maple tree.
October 31 - It's Time to Vote!
After nearly two years of debates and drama leading up to our presidential election, the time has finally come for adults to vote. This issue of The Mini Page gives students an interactive map to keep track of how each state votes and how many electoral votes each state has on election night. In addition, it spells out the process of the Electoral College in choosing our president.
November 7 - A Salute to Our Soldiers
On Nov. 11, we celebrate Veterans Day. This year, The Mini Page tells the story of the U.S. Army, including a sneak preview of the National Museum of the United States Army being built in Fort Belvoir, Va.
November 14 - Breathe Deep
The health of our lungs is critical to our lives. In this Mini Page, we explain how the lungs work for us and why lung cancer is such a devastating disease in the United States. This issue also stresses the importance of not starting to smoke in keeping our bodies healthy.
November 21 - Books for Good
The Mini Page looks at a unique publisher, Dot-to-Dot Children's Books, that conducts writing workshops throughout the world with children and women needing help. Professional writers and artists then help turn the stories into children's books. All profits go to the nonprofit agencies involved.
November 28 - Our Favorite Pets
The Mini Page often features articles about animals we don’t see every day. But what about the animals who live in our own homes? This week, we'll learn a little more about dogs, cats and other pets that live alongside us and give us so much love and loyalty.
December 2 - Curiosity on the Red Planet
In August, a rover called Curiosity landed on Mars and began explorations of that planet that will help scientists determine whether life ever existed there. The Mini Page provides an update on this and other space developments.
December 12 - A Light Problem
Light pollution — the negative effect of lights where they're not needed — affects humans and animals. The Mini Page speaks with an expert at the International Dark-Sky Association about light pollution, its effects and what kids can do to promote dark-sky friendly lighting.
December 16 - Evergreen Season
Why do evergreen plants keep their greenery all year long, while other trees are bare-limbed through the winter? This issue of The Mini Page examines the differences between these types of plants and shares some of the history and traditions that include them.
December 26 - Holiday Books
Whether you're looking for a gift or simply want some good holiday reading to do with the family, The Mini Page provides a holiday library of ideas.
December 30 - Winter Fun!
Most schoolchildren are enjoying a vacation from school this week. The Mini Page gives some ideas for fun activities that'll keep kids away from the TV or video games.
2013
January 6, 2013 - A Kids' 2013 Calendar
A perpetual favorite, The Mini Page calendar reminds us of important dates coming up in 2013. Page 2 highlights some milestone birthdays for 2013 and also provides a list of hurricane names that will be used in the coming year.
January 13, 2013 - Presidential Inauguration
Washington, D.C., will be buzzing with activity in January as the city prepares for President Barack Obama's inauguration. The Mini Page offers some deeper context so that readers can more thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the occasion.
January 20, 2013 - Supreme Court Justice
This year, The Mini Page will explore four government offices that don't get as much attention as president or congressional offices. We'll start with a Supreme Court justice, telling what the court and justices do and how they are a part of our three branches of government. (The second issue in the series, scheduled in April, is about ambassadors.)
January 27, 2013 - What Is Matter?
Also this year, The Mini Page will explore some core concepts in science in six different issues. The first will be a building block for the others: matter. (The second issue in the series, scheduled for March, is about energy.)
Feburary 3, 2013 - Beautiful Ballet
Many children, especially girls, dream of being ballet dancers. The Mini Page provides a history of this type of dance along with an idea of how dancers are trained, from preschoolers to adults.
Feburary 10, 2013 - Top Dogs Shine at Top Show
The Westminster Dog Show is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States. The Mini Page takes you into this world of cute, sleek pooches and their devoted handlers.
Feburary 17, 2013 - Happy Day, Presidents!
For Presidents Day, The Mini Page offers some fun facts about many of our country's leaders. For instance, did you know that Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president? He was only 42 when first inaugurated.
Feburary 24, 2013 - Big River Species
There are some huge fish in our rivers, but they are disappearing from our world. The Mini Page talks to experts at the Tennessee Aquarium to learn more about these vanishing giants.
March 3, 2013 - Information, Please
March 4-8 is Newspaper in Education Week. The Mini Page helps young readers navigate through the newspaper, learning about different sections and features that are offered in most newspapers through interactive activities.
March 10, 2013 - Quartz
Quartz is the most common mineral on Earth. It is a major part of granite and a major component of beach sand, and its electrical properties make it especially useful for devices such as watches. The Mini Page talked with an expert from the Smithsonian Institution to learn more about this versatile mineral.
March 17, 2013 - Are You a Scientist?
As babies, we were all little scientists, experimenting with our world and learning along the way. Somewhere along the way, girls turn away from science. March is Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month. We'll learn more about how scientists and other experts are keeping science interesting for girls and boys as they grow older and think about careers.
March 24, 2013 - April Fools Jokes
If you see something too strange to be true in the news on April Fool's Day, maybe you're right! Many respected institutions such as the BBC and Google play pranks on the rest of us on that day. The Mini Page takes a look at his playful holiday.
March 31 - The Power of Energy
In the second of our series about core concepts in science, The Mini Page explores energy. Energy not only provides the ability to do work, but it holds things together and comes in many different forms. With help from an NSF expert, we explore how energy powers the universe.
April 7 - Water Cooperation
The United Nations has declared 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation. What does this mean? Water is central to good health, agriculture and energy production. The Mini Page explains the importance of water and how the U.N. is working with countries to cooperate in making water accessible to more people.
April 14 - Library Week
It's National Library Week, and The Mini Page celebrates by talking with 2013 Newbery Medal winner Katherine Applegate and Caldecott Medal winner Jon Klassen.
April 21, 2013 - Sharing the United States
How do ambassadors and other members of the Foreign Service share the culture and values of U.S. citizens with the rest of the world? The Mini Page explores the idea of diplomacy, finds out what's involved in doing these jobs, and hears from a child of a foreign service worker about his unusual upbringing.
April 28, 2013 - Clocks Change the World
The Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum and National Museum of American History have collaborated on a new permanent exhibit about time and navigation. The Mini Page talks with experts at the Smithsonian to find out how time has been used to navigate the globe and outer space through the centuries.
May 5 - Martha Washington
The Mini Page celebrates Mother's Day with an issue about our country's first "first mother," Martha Washington. The busy wife of President George Washington filled many roles, including mother and grandmother.
May 12 - Honor Flights
Some U.S. veterans have never had the opportunity to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. -- until recently. A group called the Honor Flight Network salutes American veterans of World War II with a visit to the World War II Memorial and others in Washington, D.C. To celebrate Armed Forces Day (May 18), The Mini Page finds out more about the program and talks to veterans who have participated.
May 19 - Meet the U.S. Navy
In honor of Memorial Day, The Mini Page profiles the U.S. Navy. We find out about the Navy's history and what sailors do to serve our country.
June 16 - Summer Sun Safety
Those strong rays from the sun are already beating down on most of us. The Mini Page helps kids understand the importance of protecting their skin and eyes and how best to do that when summer's sun is most intense.
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