The Key Newspaper Lesson Plans
August/September 2007
Janet Nortrom

Article #1 - Read the article titled “Major Flooding In August Hits 14 Wisconsin Counties”

  1. Describe a major weather event in Wisconsin this summer.
  2. List 3 things the floods did.
  3. What did President Bush do to help?
  4. What is FEMA?
  5. Who is eligible for special funds from FEMA?
  6. FEMA is one of 3 government groups helping.  Name the other two agencies.
  7. What kind of help do these agencies offer?
  8. List some specific kinds of damage that occurred, the effects.
  9. How may a person request aid?
  10. Review the map.  Which two southern Wisconsin Counties did not experience flooding?  Find Milwaukee and Ozaukee Counties.  Which counties border those counties on the west?

Article #2 – Read the article titled “Busiest Bridge in Minnesota Collapses in August, 13 Killed”

  1. What happened in Minneapolis in August and where is Minneapolis?
  2. How many people died?
  3. Describe the accident and location.
  4. Why did Wisconsin’s Governor Doyle order inspection of 15 specific bridges?
  5. What else did the Governor order?
  6. Describe one thing about the event that might be considered lucky?  Why is that considered fortunate?
  7. Why were only 2 lanes in use when the bridge collapsed?
  8. When was the bridge put into use?
  9. True or False- A bridge that old is usually scheduled to be replaced.
  10. What activity related to the bridge will continue?

Article #3 - Read the article titled “Renting a Place to Live.”

  1. List some things to consider when you want to rent a place to live.
  2. How much is the recommended maximum (the highest amount) of your gross income you should spend on rent?
  3. What fraction is 25%?
  4. Define gross income.
  5. What is the income called that is left after taxes and other deductions?  
  6. If your gross income is $30,000, what is the most you should pay for rent?
  7. List some things you should check before agreeing to rent.
  8. What is a lease?
  9. List items that are included in a lease.
  10. What is a security deposit?
  11. What may a security deposit be used for?

Article #4 - Read the article titled “Brewers’ Season Could Get Them into the Playoffs for the
                    First Time Since ‘82”

  1. Describe what the Brewers might do this season.
  2. When did the Brewers last have a winning season?
  3. Define “winning season.”
  4. What happened 25 years ago? 50 years ago?
  5. How does Manager Ned Yost describe winning in September?
  6. Which team is main competition for winning the division?
  7. Name a positive thing for the team.
  8. What does MVP stand for?
  9. What has hurt the team?

Article #5 - Read the article titled “Bucks Sign Top Pick…China’s Yi  Jianlian”.

  1. Who is Yi Jianlian?
  2. How do you pronounce his name?
  3. Describe his main concern about playing with the Bucks.
  4. What happened that made him agree to sign a contract?
  5. Describe a “standard rookie contract”.
  6. How is he expected to help the team?
  7. What does Yi need to improve?
  8. What other benefits to the Bucks are seen?
  9. Why does the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s China Council think this is a good deal for Milwaukee’s business connections in China?

Article #6 – Read the article titled “Lowering Your Cholesterol Helps Lessen Your  
                     Chance of Heart Attacks or Stroke.”

  1. Have you heard of cholesterol?  What is that?
  2. Where does cholesterol come from?
  3. Describe what may happen with cholesterol.
  4. True or False- Most people show symptoms of having high cholesterol.
  5. List the things to do to lower your cholesterol.
  6. How do you find out what your cholesterol is?
  7. How many kinds of cholesterol are there?
  8. List some rules about the level of cholesterol in your body.

Article #7 - Read the article titled “It is Never Too Late to Teach Your Child about
                   Money”

  1. Name one of the important responsibilities parents have regarding their children.
  2. Describe an important step a parent should do first to help their children.
  3. What are the major categories of things that cost money listed in the article.
  4. Can you think of some major expenses not listed?
  5. How old do you think a child should be to start learning about money?
  6. List some ways to teach the child.

Article #8 – Read the article titled “Your Daughter Can Learn to Like Science and
                     Math”.

  1. What areas of study have girls missing in them?
  2. True/False. The National Science Foundation identified myths or untruths as to why girls do not go into the STEM areas. 
  3. What does STEM stand for?
  4. State the 5 myths the National Science Foundation lists as untruths.
  5. T/F - Girls are interested in STEM programs when they are young.
  6. T/F - Girls lose interest in middle school, high school and college.
  7. T/F - Mentoring can help girls regain interest in science.
  8. T/F - Teachers work equally with girls and boys in science.
  9. T/F - Parental support helps girls pursue STEM careers.
  10. T/F - Parents can encourage their girls to learn about female role models in science.  Name a famous female astronaut.
  11.  List some questioning techniques parents can explore with their daughters to encourage interest in STEM programs at an early age.
  12. Can you visualize yourself at a science fair inventing something new, like Keisha Avery did in the picture shown.

Article #9 – Read the article titled “Mattel Recalls Millions of Toys with Lead Paint and
                     Magnets.”

  1. Who is Mattel?
  2. What happened?
  3. Define Recall.
  4. Why is lead paint and magnets a concern on toys?
  5. Who is to blame?
  6. Name some popular toys affected by the danger and recall.
  7. What government agency told the world about Mattel’s voluntary recall?
  8. Explain what happens when a child swallows a magnet.
  9. Because a child under 6 eats lead paint, what can be the effect?
  10. How can a parent help?
  11. T/F - Magnets can cause holes in your stomach; over 400 complaints have been registered.
  12. What stores will take the toys back with your receipt and what happens if you do not have a receipt?
  13. How or where can you return the toys or find the toys that are listed?


Article #10 – Read the article titled “Are You Thinking about Changing Jobs?”

  1. When you graduate soon with a GED, Diploma or Associate Degree where can you find out about getting a job?
  2. Will the U.S. Department of Labor Web site give you some occupation or job information?
  3. List 3 occupations that start with the letter A.
  4. Would an Artist and an Automotive Mechanic have anything in common?
  5. Do you need math or computer skills in order to be a Bookkeeping clerk?
  6. Would you guess or surmise that Carpenters and Chemists use math and many kinds’ of materials?  List some materials.
  7. Some people think all parents should take a Childcare course before they become a parent. What do childcare workers learn that would be helpful for parents?

Article #11 – Read the Book Review titled  “Nedobeck’s Alphabet Book.”

  1. Who are the author and illustrator?
  2. Who published the book?
  3. Why is this alphabet book different according to the reviewer?
  4. Just what is “alliteration?” Give an example the author uses.
  5. Besides making words sound fun, what other useful thing does “alliteration” do for the early reader?

Article #12 -  Read the article titled “Bush Says Some Troops May Come Home by
                       March, but Majority Will Remain in Iraq.”

  1. On what date did President Bush speak to the American People on national television about American soldiers in Iraq? 
  2. What did he have to report about the American Troops that are in Iraq?
  3. How many American Soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the war began 4 ½ years ago?
  4. How many troops are in Iraq, and how many more were requested for a “surge” that was to reduce the daily level of violence?
  5. Who was the General that testified before the House and Senate Committees?
  6. What was his main message?  
  7. List another reason General Petraeus cited for not leaving yet?
  8. Where did the general see some progress?
  9. What terrorist group attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001?
  10. Is this the group that is mostly causing problems in Iraq?
  11. Was Iraq involved in the September 11, 2001, attack on the U.S.?
  12. Did the surge make Iraq safer?
  13. T/F - Democrats and some Republicans in Congress are asking President Bush for a faster withdrawal from Iraq.
  14. T/F - Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island said the president has failed to provide a plan to successfully end the war or give a convincing reason to continue.

Pictures/Graphics

  1. What election will be held in the U.S. in November 2008?
  2. Who are the candidates pictured on several pages in various boxes?   

Optional -Read the article titled “Prepare for Your Child’s First Day of School” at
                 www.keynews.org

  1. T/F - Young children face many life situations as they grow.
  2. Is school preparation one of the situations that parenting skills help meet the  needs of young children?
  3. List the 4 areas of development parents should focus on as they prepare their child for school.
  4. Describe at least 5 bits of advice that could be helpful for the parents and children.

Key Newspaper
August/September, 2007, Answers

Article #1- 1.August storms caused major floods. 2. a. Ruined millions of dollars in property, b. forced hundreds of people from their homes, and c. some farmers lost all their crops.  3. He declared the counties to be federal disaster areas. And this is the first step to get FEMA aid. 4. It stands for Federal Emergency Management Agency. 5. People in 14 Wisconsin Counties may apply for special funds called federal disaster assistance. 6. a. Federal government Small Business Administration (SBA), b. Wisconsin Emergency Management. 7. a. FEMA: gives free money for short-term housing repairs and health care; b. SBA: loans money at low interest for home and business losses not paid for by insurance, 3. WEM: damage is tracked and reported. 8. Dams overflowed, roads, bridges and railroad tracks washed out, train derailed, electricity and phone service were out. 9. a. Register online at www.fema.gov or b. call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. 11. Lafayette and Walworth Counties; Waukesha is west of Milwaukee; Washington is West of Ozaukee County.
Article #2 1. 13 people were killed when the busiest bridge in Minnesota collapsed, fell down.   Minneapolis is in Minnesota, the state west of Wisconsin.  2. Thirteen people died. 3. The bridge crossed Mississippi River, near downtown Minneapolis; road is a main north south rush hour route - Interstate 35W; bridge fell 60 feet into the river. 
4. Those bridges are the same design as the one that collapsed. 5. He told the Department of Transportation to review safety records for all 13,654 bridges in Wisconsin.  6. Only two lanes of the eight-lane bridge were carrying traffic at the time of the accident. Many more cars and people might have been on the bridge. 7. Repairs wee being made to the bridge. 8. It opened to traffic in 1967.  9. False-should be used for many more decades.
10. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to take about a year to figure out what caused the tragedy, the collapse of I35W.
Article #3 - 1. Consider: cost, close to work, safe neighborhood, public transportation nearby, parking, close to good schools, stores. 2. (25%) 3. (¼)  4. (Opportunity for humor here; Yes, my income is gross) Total income before taxes and other deductions.  5. Net income.  6. One quarter or 25 percent:  $30,000  *  0.25  = $7,500 per year;
$7,500  / 12 = $625.00 per month.  7. Inspect the property; take pictures of damage, working smoke detectors, working appliances, outdoor lighting, lead paint present, working mailboxes, well-lighted and well-maintained laundry, parking and other common areas. 8. A legal contract between a landlord and tenant (renter).  9. Your name, landlords name, address and unit number of apartment, the amount of rent and payment rules, the landlord’s responsibility for repairs and maintenance, rules about pets, appliances included in the rental, responsibility for paying for water, electricity and heat, rules about making changes to the apartment, such as putting up wallpaper, rules for ending the lease early, rules about the security deposit. 10. A prepayment made by the renter. It is usually one or two months rent, held by the property owner.  11. Pay for damages or unpaid rent for the term of the lease.
Article #4- 1. They might make the playoffs. 2.(1992). 3. Win more than half of the games. 4. Brewers went to the World Series; Milwaukee Braves won the World Series.
5. The team and the fans have expectations to win, you have to learn to deal with that pressure, once you do it, and you never forget the experiences. 6. The Chicago Cubs.
7. Prince Fielder set team record for home runs and is candidate for National League MVP. 8. Most Valuable Player of the league. 9. Poor pitching.  
Article #5- 1. He is a Milwaukee Buck now,  a star with the Chinese national basketball team.  2. (“e tee-en-lee-ahn”) 3. He was concerned whether he is going to have a full chance to play, grow, and develop in Milwaukee. 4. The owner, Herb Kohl, and others traveled to China to meet with Yi.  Yi was impressed with the Bucks’ willingness to go overseas and meet with him face to face. 5. Two years long, $2.3 million 1st year, $2.5 million the second year. 6.  He is tall, 7 feet 1 inches, he can shoot well.  7. His defense.
8. More tickets sales in the U.S. and more team apparel sales in China. 9. Business with China is booming and our economy should be helped.
Article #6 – 1. It is a kind of fat in your blood. 2. The body makes its own and we eat some especially in red meat and dairy products. 3. It may build up in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing a heart attack.  4. False, most people are without symptoms. 5. Exercise at least 30 minutes most days; change your diet (less red meat and dairy); if overweight, loose weight; your doctor may prescribe a medicine to lower your cholesterol level. 6.  A simple blood test. 7. Two kinds- good called (HDL) and bad (LDL) 8. Good HDL should be 60 milligrams or more; bad LDL should be less than 130 milligrams- Total cholesterol should be less than 200 milligrams. (There are about 28 grams in an ounce, 28,000 milligrams in an ounce)
Article #7 – 1. To help them understand money. 2. Understand their own money attitude so the parents’ example will be the same as they teach.  3. Home, household expenses, education, recreation, entertainment, travel, savings, investments, charitable contributions. 4. Food, autos/transportation.  5. As young as three, but best when they are interested. 6. Show money used as a trading tool; allow child to make their own purchases; explain there are limits, not everything can be purchased; have an open discussion about money.
Article #8 – 1. Girls are missing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.  2. True. 3.  STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
4. Myth 1-Most girls are less interested in science than boys from the time they start school.
Myth 2-Classroom activities that increase girl’s interest in STEM run the risk of turning off the boys.
Myth 3-Science and Math teachers are no longer biased toward their male students.
Myth 4- Parents cannot motivate girls if they just are not interested in science or math. Myth 5- Changing STEM courses to make them easier for women runs the risk of watering down important “sink or swim” course work at college level.
5. True. 6. True. 7. True.  8. False. 9.True 10. True, Sally Ride. 11. Let them ask you questions, even if you don’t know the answer, say lets learn, explore together, ask what do you think? Work together using books, the internet, tests each other, STEM can be fun and positive for all and society needs women in these areas in America. 12. Do hands- up survey of the students and have more discussion
Article #9- Mattel is one of the world’s largest toy makers. 2. They made toys in China that are dangerous to children and now need to recall them. 3. A recall means companies ask buyers of their merchandise to return them for they are defective and may harm the buyer. 4. Mattel company, they said they were sorry (apologized to the Chinese manufactures that they had made some mistakes.) 5. Lead paint and magnets can cause severe injury to children, who digest both. 6. Some Fisher Price toys, 7 sets of Barbie Doll toys, like Dream Puppy,  Geo-Trax, locomotive toys, Big World 6-bongo, and others. 7. The U.S. consumer Safety Commission (CPSC) announced Mattel’s voluntary recall and listed the dangers. 8. If a child swallows more than one powerful magnet, the magnets can join together in the body and cause stomach damage, infection, or blockage or they can choke to death 9. Lead paint that comes off into a child’s mouth it can enter a child’s system and cause poisoning. The effect of lead poisoning can be stunting of a child’s growth, reduce a child’s ability to learn, can damage the kidneys and nervous system, 10.Take these toys away from your child. 11. True. Magnets can cause a whole in your stomach, over 400 complaints. 12. Toys “R” Us, Target & Wal-Mart will refund money with receipt for recalled toys, or will take the toys and give credit. 13.
Look in Box-Go to Mattel’s website www.service.mattel.com or call 1-800-916-4997, others listed.
Article # 10 – 1. The U.S Department of Labor, with their Occupational Outlook Hand book and our own Wisconsin Technical College, MATC. 2. Yes, the web site www.bls.gov/oco/ will give you lots of information about how much schooling is needed, how much you can earn, and how many jobs are available through 2014. 3. An Accountant (keeps tract of money), An Agricultural and Food Scientist, look for answers to farm use, control pest & weeds, and food, soil and water. An Architect, design houses and building. 4. Yes, both use their hands and an assortment of materials. 5. Yes, they use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and use computers. 6. Math formulas, paints, medicines, wood, cosmetics, cars and airplanes, houses, cabinets. 7. They learn safety for children, play games, do art, read books, learn new skills and teach how to get along with each other and the world.
Article # 11 - 1. Don Nedobeck did both, wrote and drew the pictures. 2. Ideals Pub. Corp.1981, and New Wrinkle Press reissued it in 1988. 3. Every page in this alphabet book has a different story, each star and animals, and each uses words starting with same letter as alphabet work called alliteration. 4.  Henrietta Hen has a horrendous hairdo.  Starting all the words of a sentence using the same letter called alliteration. 5. Teaches new words, children also learn by looking at his pictures and drawings. He was a Dixieland Jazz musician, now a Wisconsin a writer and an artist.
Article #12 - 1. He spoke on September 13, 2007. 2. He said the majority of troops will remain in  Iraq and that they will be there when the next president takes office. In November, 2008.  3)  3,800 have been killed. 4. 160,000 now, 30,000 last year requested for surge. 4. General David Petraeus who is in charge of the War in Iraq.  5. He reported some troops could start coming home, but did not say the level would drop lower than 130,000. 6. He said the Iraqi government has many political and religious problems that need fixing before we can leave the country. 7.  He said some progress has been made in the Anbar province. They are fighting against terrorists now, before fought against U.S. troops. 8.Al-Qaida. 9. Yes. They were not in Iraq when we invaded it. 10. No, August one of the bloodiest months of the war. 11. No. 12. True. 13. True.  14. True.
Pictures and Graphics - 1. A new president will be elected in November, 2008.  2. The pictures show the candidates who would like that position of president, they are campaigning now, both Republicans and Democrats.
Optional Article – 1. True. 2. Yes, parenting skills focusing on development can be helpful. 3. Development in emotional, social, physical and intellectual growth. 4.  a. Provide a safe and healthy home environment, show them affection and concern; b. insure a child has a balanced diet and gets enough physical activity; c. take advantage of your child’s natural curiosity to explore new things and learn new ideas; complement them often using positive reinforcement. d. coach your child in how to participate, cooperate, communicate and express kindness and appreciation e. teach your child good manners, how to smile, make eye contact and listen to others.  Be fair and consistent.