vol. 9, issue 4 | week of october 26, 2009 level 1b voters ... · vol. 9, issue 4 | week of october...
TRANSCRIPT
Vol. 9, Issue 4 | Week of October 26, 2009 Level 1B
the national newspaper for kids
Voters Head Back to the Polls
How are people elected to public office?
by Shirley Granahan
It’s election time … again. On November 3rd, U.S. voters will go back
to the polls. This time they will not pick the nation’s president, as they did last year. This time, voters will choose state and local o�cials.
Citizens will elect school board members and �ll other community o�ces. They
may also vote on local issues, like how to raise money to pay for new projects.
In two states, New Jersey and Virginia, voters will elect governors. And in some cities, including New York, Boston, Houston, and Detroit, voters will elect their city’s mayor.
continues on page 2
Chrischristiemedia
Chris Christie is one person who is running for governor in New Jersey. He is traveling across the state asking people to vote for him.
See page 6.
polls > places where people go to vote
local > having to do with a certain city, town, or neighborhood
Races for GovernorIn New Jersey, the present governor, Jon Corzine, hopes to be re-elected. But Chris Christie and Chris Daggett are also running for the o�ce of governor. In this race, there are three candidates.
In Virginia, voters will choose between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. The main issue in that state, as in most places, is the economy, including the need for jobs. For now, experts say the race is “too close to call.”
Some Mayoral RacesIn New York City, Mayor Michael Bloom-berg hopes to be re-elected as mayor. Mayor Bloomberg has already served for eight years, or two terms of o�ce.
In New York City, a mayor could only serve two terms. That was the law. However, the law was changed so that mayors could run for a third term. Bill Thompson hopes the people will want a
di�erent mayor — him!
In Boston, the mayor, Thomas Menino, is also seeking re-election. It would be his �fth term. Boston does not have a law about term limits. Michael Flaherty is another candidate for mayor in Boston. He hopes Bostonians want change.
Getting Out the VotePolls will be set up in buildings with large open areas, like schools and libraries. There are many ways to cast a ballot. Some people use paper ballots. Some use machines. However, voting is always done by secret ballot. No one else may see how a person voted.
Millions of Americans have the right to vote. And yet, many do not exercise this right. They say, “My one vote won’t make a di�erence!” This is not the case. In any election, every vote is important. Voting is not just a right — it is a responsibility!
What do governors do? Governors have a very important job to do. They are elected to run their state!
Each state has a government. The government takes care of many matters for the people who live there. It keeps the highways in good shape. It keeps track of all the drivers. The state’s government decides what the schools will teach. The state also has a police force. The police o�cers make sure that all of the state’s laws are followed.
The governor is the head of the state government and makes sure that the state runs smoothly.
What do mayors do?Mayors are chosen to lead their cities. They make sure that their cities are good places to live. Mayors are in charge of the �re and police departments. They and their team are responsible for the buses and trains that help people get around. They make sure that the garbage is collected and that the streetlights work. They also make sure that businesses can grow in their cities. Mayors decide how much tax people must pay the city.
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 42 The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 4 3
continued from page 1 continued from page 2
Review Questions*
1. In which two states will voters elect govenors?
2. Compare the races for mayor in New York City and in Boston.
3. Why do you think polls are set up in public places like schools or libraries?
* Raphael (1986)
re-elected > chosen again
candidates > people running for o�ce
economy > money matters
terms > set periods of time
term limits > rules about how long o�cials may serve in o�ce
ballot > voting ticket — Voters check their choice on a ballot. Then the ballots are counted to see who won the election.
Mayor Bloomberg Speaks to The Current Events!
The Current Events asked Mayor Bloomberg what he likes best about his job. “Making a real di�erence in people’s lives,” Bloomberg said. “That’s what I like best about being may-or.”
How can a mayor make a di�erence in people’s lives?
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg reads a book to schoolchildren. The mayor is working hard to make schools in New York City better.
Bloomberg Press O�ce
continues on page 3
The Current Crossword
Will you vote when you are able to?
YES NO
Polling Booth
Reread one of the articles in this week’s issue. Then write a poem about it. Remember, a poem does not have to rhyme.
Write a �nal draft of your poem and share it with others. Send your poem to The Current Events. We may publish it in our next issue!
Complete the puzzle using the clues shown below.
Across2. people who �ght against a government6. military job or task7. places to vote9. set period of time10. eye doctor11. half the globe
Down1. people running for o�ce3. soldiers4. voting ticket5. safe place to stay8. power
Races for GovernorIn New Jersey, the present governor, Jon Corzine, hopes to be re-elected. But Chris Christie and Chris Daggett are also running for the o�ce of governor. In this race, there are three candidates.
In Virginia, voters will choose between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. The main issue in that state, as in most places, is the economy, including the need for jobs. For now, experts say the race is “too close to call.”
Some Mayoral RacesIn New York City, Mayor Michael Bloom-berg hopes to be re-elected as mayor. Mayor Bloomberg has already served for eight years, or two terms of o�ce.
In New York City, a mayor could only serve two terms. That was the law. However, the law was changed so that mayors could run for a third term. Bill Thompson hopes the people will want a
di�erent mayor — him!
In Boston, the mayor, Thomas Menino, is also seeking re-election. It would be his �fth term. Boston does not have a law about term limits. Michael Flaherty is another candidate for mayor in Boston. He hopes Bostonians want change.
Getting Out the VotePolls will be set up in buildings with large open areas, like schools and libraries. There are many ways to cast a ballot. Some people use paper ballots. Some use machines. However, voting is always done by secret ballot. No one else may see how a person voted.
Millions of Americans have the right to vote. And yet, many do not exercise this right. They say, “My one vote won’t make a di�erence!” This is not the case. In any election, every vote is important. Voting is not just a right — it is a responsibility!
What do governors do? Governors have a very important job to do. They are elected to run their state!
Each state has a government. The government takes care of many matters for the people who live there. It keeps the highways in good shape. It keeps track of all the drivers. The state’s government decides what the schools will teach. The state also has a police force. The police o�cers make sure that all of the state’s laws are followed.
The governor is the head of the state government and makes sure that the state runs smoothly.
What do mayors do?Mayors are chosen to lead their cities. They make sure that their cities are good places to live. Mayors are in charge of the �re and police departments. They and their team are responsible for the buses and trains that help people get around. They make sure that the garbage is collected and that the streetlights work. They also make sure that businesses can grow in their cities. Mayors decide how much tax people must pay the city.
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 42 The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 4 3
continued from page 1 continued from page 2
Review Questions*
1. In which two states will voters elect govenors?
2. Compare the races for mayor in New York City and in Boston.
3. Why do you think polls are set up in public places like schools or libraries?
* Raphael (1986)
re-elected > chosen again
candidates > people running for o�ce
economy > money matters
terms > set periods of time
term limits > rules about how long o�cials may serve in o�ce
ballot > voting ticket — Voters check their choice on a ballot. Then the ballots are counted to see who won the election.
Mayor Bloomberg Speaks to The Current Events!
The Current Events asked Mayor Bloomberg what he likes best about his job. “Making a real di�erence in people’s lives,” Bloomberg said. “That’s what I like best about being may-or.”
How can a mayor make a di�erence in people’s lives?
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg reads a book to schoolchildren. The mayor is working hard to make schools in New York City better.
Bloomberg Press O�ce
continues on page 3
The Current Crossword
Will you vote when you are able to?
YES NO
Polling Booth
Reread one of the articles in this week’s issue. Then write a poem about it. Remember, a poem does not have to rhyme.
Write a �nal draft of your poem and share it with others. Send your poem to The Current Events. We may publish it in our next issue!
Complete the puzzle using the clues shown below.
Across2. people who �ght against a government6. military job or task7. places to vote9. set period of time10. eye doctor11. half the globe
Down1. people running for o�ce3. soldiers4. voting ticket5. safe place to stay8. power
by D. Baum
Washington, D.C., was busy with a very serious matter last week.
President Obama met with his top advisors. They must answer a very di�cult question: What should America do about Afghanistan?
America in AfghanistanThe United States has 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. American soldiers and soldiers from other countries have been there since 2001. They went to Afghanistan after al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the United States on September 11th. Those terrorists were granted refuge by the Taliban government of Afghanistan. The U.S. troops were sent to overthrow the Taliban government and drive out al-Qaeda.
Eight years have passed since that �rst mission. The Taliban were driven out of power, and a new government was set
up. However, the new government is not very strong. It still relies on foreign troops to keep the country under con-trol. In recent years, troops have come more and more under attack. They are being attacked by insurgents (say: in SER jents), both from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Four hundred American soldiers have already been killed �ghting in Af-ghanistan this year.
General Stanley McChrystal leads the soldiers in Afghanistan. He sent President Obama a report about the situation there. He asked for 40,000 more troops to �ght the insurgents. McChrystal hopes to destroy the Taliban’s power. He also wants to continue �ghting al-Qaeda terrorists who are hiding near Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan.
A Di�cult DecisionThe president has a very di�cult decision to make. Many Americans seem to have
had enough of the war in Afghanistan — they are tired of losing soldiers. Sending more troops will not make them happy. However, not sending more troops may be even worse. The soldiers already there may su�er even more attacks. The Taliban might retake the country and allow al-Qaeda back in. Then the people of Afghanistan would lose their freedom.
President Obama has been busy listen-ing to di�erent reports. He continues to meet with his advisors and ask them what they think. However, in the end, the president will be the one to decide how to act.
Aiding AfghanistanAmerican troops are not only �ghting terrorists in Afghanistan. They are also there to rebuild the country. They are helping to build new schools and hospitals. They make sure that people have water and electricity. They are also helping the Afghan citizens in other important ways. One soldier, Eric Worth, wrote to his parents about the situation there. He told them that Afghan children needed school supplies. His parents then organized a school-supply drive.
Kerby Kee, of an organization called the Lions Club, also got involved. His wife
read in a newspaper that kids in Afghan-istan need eyeglasses. Kerby contacted Air Force optometrist Captain Scott Martin. Now the Lions Club is shipping 760 pairs of used eyeglasses to Afghani-stan. They will be given to children who need them. “Some of the villages there have never even seen glasses,” Kee said.
Kee is very excited about helping the Afghan people. “To me it’s a good program. It really helps bring the goodness of Americans to the people over there.”
What Lies Ahead?Now Americans are waiting to hear President Obama’s decision. What will he decide to do?
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 44 The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 4 5
Review Questions
1. How many more troops did general McChrystal ask for?
2. How has Afghanistan changed since the United States �rst started this mission in 2001?
3. What makes the president’s decision so di�cult?
4. Why is it important to help the people of Afghanistan?
continues on page 5
continued from page 4
Will more soldiers be sent to Afghanistan?
Reuters
General Stanley McChrystal
Volunteers clean and prepare eyeglasses they have collected to send to Afghanistan.
Bill Wagner/The Daily News
1. What is the purpose of each map?
2. In Which direction did terrorists travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan?
Afghanistan : The Next Steps
troops > soldiers
refuge> safe place to stay
mission > a military job or task
insurgents > rebels, people who �ght against a government
optometrist > doctor who takes care of people’s eyes
Getty Images
U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan watch as a helicopter lands at their base to pick them up.
This is the world in
the m
akin
g. Th
is is
the
wor
l d y
ou a
re m
akin
g!
TCE Inc.
by D. Baum
Washington, D.C., was busy with a very serious matter last week.
President Obama met with his top advisors. They must answer a very di�cult question: What should America do about Afghanistan?
America in AfghanistanThe United States has 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. American soldiers and soldiers from other countries have been there since 2001. They went to Afghanistan after al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the United States on September 11th. Those terrorists were granted refuge by the Taliban government of Afghanistan. The U.S. troops were sent to overthrow the Taliban government and drive out al-Qaeda.
Eight years have passed since that �rst mission. The Taliban were driven out of power, and a new government was set
up. However, the new government is not very strong. It still relies on foreign troops to keep the country under con-trol. In recent years, troops have come more and more under attack. They are being attacked by insurgents (say: in SER jents), both from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Four hundred American soldiers have already been killed �ghting in Af-ghanistan this year.
General Stanley McChrystal leads the soldiers in Afghanistan. He sent President Obama a report about the situation there. He asked for 40,000 more troops to �ght the insurgents. McChrystal hopes to destroy the Taliban’s power. He also wants to continue �ghting al-Qaeda terrorists who are hiding near Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan.
A Di�cult DecisionThe president has a very di�cult decision to make. Many Americans seem to have
had enough of the war in Afghanistan — they are tired of losing soldiers. Sending more troops will not make them happy. However, not sending more troops may be even worse. The soldiers already there may su�er even more attacks. The Taliban might retake the country and allow al-Qaeda back in. Then the people of Afghanistan would lose their freedom.
President Obama has been busy listen-ing to di�erent reports. He continues to meet with his advisors and ask them what they think. However, in the end, the president will be the one to decide how to act.
Aiding AfghanistanAmerican troops are not only �ghting terrorists in Afghanistan. They are also there to rebuild the country. They are helping to build new schools and hospitals. They make sure that people have water and electricity. They are also helping the Afghan citizens in other important ways. One soldier, Eric Worth, wrote to his parents about the situation there. He told them that Afghan children needed school supplies. His parents then organized a school-supply drive.
Kerby Kee, of an organization called the Lions Club, also got involved. His wife
read in a newspaper that kids in Afghan-istan need eyeglasses. Kerby contacted Air Force optometrist Captain Scott Martin. Now the Lions Club is shipping 760 pairs of used eyeglasses to Afghani-stan. They will be given to children who need them. “Some of the villages there have never even seen glasses,” Kee said.
Kee is very excited about helping the Afghan people. “To me it’s a good program. It really helps bring the goodness of Americans to the people over there.”
What Lies Ahead?Now Americans are waiting to hear President Obama’s decision. What will he decide to do?
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 44 The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 4 5
Review Questions
1. How many more troops did general McChrystal ask for?
2. How has Afghanistan changed since the United States �rst started this mission in 2001?
3. What makes the president’s decision so di�cult?
4. Why is it important to help the people of Afghanistan?
continues on page 5
continued from page 4
Will more soldiers be sent to Afghanistan?
Reuters
General Stanley McChrystal
Volunteers clean and prepare eyeglasses they have collected to send to Afghanistan.
Bill Wagner/The Daily News
1. What is the purpose of each map?
2. In Which direction did terrorists travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan?
Afghanistan : The Next Steps
troops > soldiers
refuge> safe place to stay
mission > a military job or task
insurgents > rebels, people who �ght against a government
optometrist > doctor who takes care of people’s eyes
Getty Images
U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan watch as a helicopter lands at their base to pick them up.
This is the world in
the m
akin
g. Th
is is
the
wor
l d y
ou a
re m
akin
g!
TCE Inc.
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 4 7The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 46
Review Questions
1. On what date in 2009 does Daylight Saving Time end?
2. Why is Daylight Saving Time important?
3. Why do you think Japan and South Korea may start using Daylight Saving Time?
4. If you could choose, would you keep DST or would you change it? How and why would you change it?continues on page 7
continued from page 6
by Jeanette Leardi
On November 1st, most Americans will turn their clocks back one hour. That is when Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends. On that day, regular time, or Standard Time (ST), begins. What is Daylight Sav-ing Time? Why is it important?
About Daylight Saving TimeMost Americans rely on the saying “spring forward, fall back” to help them remember how to reset their clocks. They must do this twice a year. In the spring, they move the time on their clocks one
hour forward. This is done to let us en-joy the sunlight for another hour during the day. In the spring and summer, the sun rises very early. Most people are still asleep when the sun comes up. So we move the clocks ahead one hour, saving the daylight for the evening. In the fall and winter months, the sun rises later. So we move our clocks back one hour to standard time. If the clocks were to stay on daylight saving time in the winter, you might go to school in the dark!
Turning Back the Clock When people “save daylight,” they may save energy as well. Longer spring and summer days mean that people do not have to turn lights on as early at night. They may also stay outside longer to play and to shop. That means they may use less energy inside their homes.
A Changing CalendarDaylight Saving Time for Americans be-gins on the second Sunday in March. It ends on the �rst Sunday in November. But this was not always so. In 1966 DST began on the last Sunday in April and continued through the end of October. In 1986, its start was moved up a few weeks to the �rst Sunday in April. Final-ly, in 2007, Daylight Saving Time began on the date used today.
DST Around the WorldMost of the United States uses Daylight Saving Time. Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that do not use it. About 70 countries use DST as well. But not all nations “spring forward” and “fall back” at the same time. The earth is divided by the equator into two hemispheres:
the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. When it is spring in the Northern Hemisphere, it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. So when DST is beginning in the Northern Hemisphere, it is ending in the Southern Hemisphere.
Not for EveryoneSome countries that do not have Day-light Saving Time may start to use it soon. O�cials from South Korea and Ja-pan recently held a meeting. They might begin using DST next year. The govern-ment of South Korea is asking people if they want to use Daylight Saving Time. Then it will make a decision. Some parts of Argentina, however, are saying “no” to DST. Restaurant owners there say that longer periods of daylight hurt their business. People want to wait until after nightfall to go out to dinner.
Will more countries decide to turn their clocks forward and back each year? Only time will tell!
Why will most Americans be moving their clocks back one hour?
The word clock comes from the Latin word cloca. Cloca means “bell.” In the �rst clocks, a bell rang to announce the hour. This is what gave the clock its name.
Ahead of His TimeBenjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He helped write the Declaration of Independence. But he was more than a statesman. He was also a talented author, inventor, publisher, and scientist. In 1784, he thought of an easy way to save on the cost of candles. Though Franklin was not being serious, his idea led to what is now called Daylight Saving Time!
equator > imaginary line that circles earth at the halfway point between the North and South Poles
hemisphere > one half of the globe
TCE Inc.
When it is fall in the Northern Hemisphere, it is spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Can you explain why? Label the illustration above. Show where the equator and the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are.
energy > power, electricity
statesman > someone with much experience in government
Getty Images
A sign reminds people in Britain to move back their clocks one hour on October 1, 1916. It was the �st year that Britain used Daylight Saving Time.
1. Why is there a sign?
2. What will change at 1:00 p.m. on September 30th?
3. How is this di�erent from what happens today?
4. What three things can you infer from the photograph?
Benjamin Franklin
L. Maxwell McKissack is the kind of person who gets things done. And McKissack has an idea. He wants people to give an hour of neighborhood service. He hopes people will use the hour they save when they turn back the clocks on November 1st. What do you think about McKissack’s idea? What kind of help can people give in your neigh-borhood? Talk about it. We hope you will write and tell us about your ideas. We would love to print them.
Sun Earth
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 4 7The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 46
Review Questions
1. On what date in 2009 does Daylight Saving Time end?
2. Why is Daylight Saving Time important?
3. Why do you think Japan and South Korea may start using Daylight Saving Time?
4. If you could choose, would you keep DST or would you change it? How and why would you change it?continues on page 7
continued from page 6
by Jeanette Leardi
On November 1st, most Americans will turn their clocks back one hour. That is when Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends. On that day, regular time, or Standard Time (ST), begins. What is Daylight Sav-ing Time? Why is it important?
About Daylight Saving TimeMost Americans rely on the saying “spring forward, fall back” to help them remember how to reset their clocks. They must do this twice a year. In the spring, they move the time on their clocks one
hour forward. This is done to let us en-joy the sunlight for another hour during the day. In the spring and summer, the sun rises very early. Most people are still asleep when the sun comes up. So we move the clocks ahead one hour, saving the daylight for the evening. In the fall and winter months, the sun rises later. So we move our clocks back one hour to standard time. If the clocks were to stay on daylight saving time in the winter, you might go to school in the dark!
Turning Back the Clock When people “save daylight,” they may save energy as well. Longer spring and summer days mean that people do not have to turn lights on as early at night. They may also stay outside longer to play and to shop. That means they may use less energy inside their homes.
A Changing CalendarDaylight Saving Time for Americans be-gins on the second Sunday in March. It ends on the �rst Sunday in November. But this was not always so. In 1966 DST began on the last Sunday in April and continued through the end of October. In 1986, its start was moved up a few weeks to the �rst Sunday in April. Final-ly, in 2007, Daylight Saving Time began on the date used today.
DST Around the WorldMost of the United States uses Daylight Saving Time. Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that do not use it. About 70 countries use DST as well. But not all nations “spring forward” and “fall back” at the same time. The earth is divided by the equator into two hemispheres:
the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. When it is spring in the Northern Hemisphere, it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. So when DST is beginning in the Northern Hemisphere, it is ending in the Southern Hemisphere.
Not for EveryoneSome countries that do not have Day-light Saving Time may start to use it soon. O�cials from South Korea and Ja-pan recently held a meeting. They might begin using DST next year. The govern-ment of South Korea is asking people if they want to use Daylight Saving Time. Then it will make a decision. Some parts of Argentina, however, are saying “no” to DST. Restaurant owners there say that longer periods of daylight hurt their business. People want to wait until after nightfall to go out to dinner.
Will more countries decide to turn their clocks forward and back each year? Only time will tell!
Why will most Americans be moving their clocks back one hour?
The word clock comes from the Latin word cloca. Cloca means “bell.” In the �rst clocks, a bell rang to announce the hour. This is what gave the clock its name.
Ahead of His TimeBenjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He helped write the Declaration of Independence. But he was more than a statesman. He was also a talented author, inventor, publisher, and scientist. In 1784, he thought of an easy way to save on the cost of candles. Though Franklin was not being serious, his idea led to what is now called Daylight Saving Time!
equator > imaginary line that circles earth at the halfway point between the North and South Poles
hemisphere > one half of the globe
TCE Inc.
When it is fall in the Northern Hemisphere, it is spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Can you explain why? Label the illustration above. Show where the equator and the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are.
energy > power, electricity
statesman > someone with much experience in government
Getty Images
A sign reminds people in Britain to move back their clocks one hour on October 1, 1916. It was the �st year that Britain used Daylight Saving Time.
1. Why is there a sign?
2. What will change at 1:00 p.m. on September 30th?
3. How is this di�erent from what happens today?
4. What three things can you infer from the photograph?
Benjamin Franklin
L. Maxwell McKissack is the kind of person who gets things done. And McKissack has an idea. He wants people to give an hour of neighborhood service. He hopes people will use the hour they save when they turn back the clocks on November 1st. What do you think about McKissack’s idea? What kind of help can people give in your neigh-borhood? Talk about it. We hope you will write and tell us about your ideas. We would love to print them.
Sun Earth
The Current Events is proud to show you the �rst-ever underwater government meet-ing! It was held in the Maldives. The Maldives is a nation made up
completely of islands. It is located in the Indian Ocean.
Why did government o�cials meet underwater? They did so to make a point. They want people to think about how pollution may a�ect our lives in years to come. Scientists warn that too much pollution may ruin these beautiful islands. President Nasheed said the meeting was held to “let the world know what is happening, and what will happen to the Maldives” if changes are not made.
The Current Events | Week of October 26, 2009 | Level 1B | Vol. 9, Issue 48
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Suri Roth
EDITOR: Ellen Appelbaum
TEACHER’S GUIDE EDITOR: Pamela Walker
CONTRIBUTORS: D. Baum, Shirley Granahan, Jeanette Leardi
ART DIRECTION: Lynn Russell
A LAUGHING MATTER: Goldie Roth, age 9
LAYOUT & DESIGN: Alison Epstein
GRAPHICS: Lina Gonzalez
Published by: TCE Inc. 1973 60th Street, Rm 105 Brooklyn, New York 11204 1 (877) TCE-1560 www.TheCurrentEvents.com
No part of this issue may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, without permission. Please contact us for more information.
ISSN: 1550-5324 © 2009 TCE INC
Reuters
Why do �sh live in salt water?
Answer: Because pepper makes them sneeze.
Submitted by:Elisheva Ho�man, Grade 3, NY
Make us laugh. Send your jokes to:A Laughing Matter,
c/o The Current Events,1973 60th Street, Rm 105Brooklyn, New York 11204
Please include your name, grade and name of your school.
Reuters
Mohamed Nasheed, President of Maldives
Review Question
1. Why was meeting underwater a good way to make a point?