All About Chimps!

Chimpanzees are more like humans than researchers previously thought. In a new study performed in Japan, chimps helped other chimps get juice by passing them objects such as straws (to drink the juice) or sticks (to reach straws they couldn't reach). Right-click and open in new window to this webpage to watch a quick video of this.

After watching this video, answer the following:
1. Write a short summary of the video (1 main idea sentence and 2 supporting detail sentences).

After completing the summary, go to this webpage (right-click; open in new window). Look at the 5 pictures and read the 14 slides. Then answer the following:
2. Chimpanzees are omnivores. Give 4 examples of what they can eat.
3. Look at picture 5 of 5. Why is this chimpanzee holding a stick?
4. Read slide 7 of 14. Why do you think chimpanzee numbers have gotten smaller?
5. How far can a chimpanzee's food call go?

Animal Myths Busted

*myth: a popular story that is thought to be true.

Animals do some pretty strange things. Giraffes clean their eyes and ears with their tongues. Snakes see through their eyelids. Some snails can hibernate for three years. But other weird animal tales are hogwash. Read this National Geographic Kids article and find out how some of these myths started—and why they're not true.

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE FIRST BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. There are 5 pages to the article.

1. Why can it be bad if penguins look up at low-flying airplanes?

2. Explain what the parotoid glands on a frog can do to predators and humans.

3. If you see a baby bird on the ground, why should you NOT touch it?

4. What are ostriches doing when it looks like they're burying their heads in the sand?

5. Pick any animal and make up your own animal myth. Have fun with this one and be as creative as possible.

Bullies

October 4 through 10 is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week. Across the U.S., communities are working to make sure schools are caring environments.

Read this article to see what some communities and schools are doing.

1. What does it mean to be a bully?

2. How many states have passed laws to stop bullying in schools?
3a. What is the name of the anti-bullying program used by schools around the world?

3b. Why is it successful?

4. What are the three different groups involved in bullying? Who are the bystanders and what do they do?

5. What do you think you could do to help stop bullying in your school?