October 8, 2008 - STORY SO FAR: With the teacher leaving, the one-room school house must close, putting an end to Ida's hopes of going on. Tom, Ida's friend, suggests she be the teacher. Written by Avi...more >

October 7, 2008 - ONE topic that the Founding Fathers didn't write into the Constitution was political parties. They didn't even mention them. But political parties existed even back then. When our...more >

PRESIDENTIAL FUN FACTS

October 6, 2008 - This year's presidential election marks the first time an African-American has received the nomination of a major party and the first time a woman has been a GOP vice presidential candidate...more >

October 3, 2008 - STORY SO FAR: Ida, aged fourteen, has been attending a one-room schoolhouse. Now, just before Ida finishes eighth grade, the teacher must leave, causing the school to close. CHAPTER THREE What to...more >

October 3, 2008 - Election Series IN 1787, America's Founding Fathers met to write the new country's Constitution. A short time before, they had broken free of the rule of the king of England, so you could...more >

ANOTHER GREAT DEBATE

By Jasmin K. Williams

September 26, 2008 - Whatever happened to the art of debate? It only makes headlines during presidential elections. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama will soon square off in their own battle of words. Ask 10...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 25, 2008 - The first important decision that a presidential candidate makes is his or her choice of a running mate. Today's page looks at a few notable vice presidents who went on to take the top spot, and...more >

September 24, 2008 - Written by Avi Illustrated by Brian Floca STORY SO FAR: It's 1925. Ida, fourteen, and her brother Felix, seven, attend a one-room school in Elk Valley, Colorado. When they arrive, the teacher...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 23, 2008 - You probably eat plenty of these for lunch during the school year. Here's a look at one of our favorite midday treats. We all love sandwiches. Our favorite yummy filling or meat topped with...more >

FALL'S COOL AND COLORFUL DANCE

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 22, 2008 - The warm colors of autumn leaves get us ready for winter's chill. Pull up a blanket and see how. Today, we officially say good-bye to summer and hello to autumn. This year's equinox begins...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 19, 2008 - Today's page looks at the indispensable thesaurus and the man who created it. Have you ever found yourself writing an essay or school report, or just sending an e-mail to a friend, and you'...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 19, 2008 - New York History Edition Just what does one have to do to get a river named after him? Henry Hudson knew. Read on to see how this famous navigator earned the honor. Henry Hudson was a man on a...more >

By AVI

September 19, 2008 - Reading Series CHAPTER ONE Getting to School On a cool spring morning in April, 1925, Ida Bidson, fourteen, and Felix, her seven-year-old brother, drove to school. Ida, brown hair braided and...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 16, 2008 - Roaches get a bad rap. They are a common, albeit unwelcome, sight. They seriously outnumber us humans. The ones we see are usually the Asian or German varieties, or those huge flying palmetto bugs. ...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 15, 2008 - On July 21, 2008, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, founder of Harlem's esteemed National Black Theatre Workshop, passed away at the age of 71. The theater lost its founder, and Harlem lost a fierce cultural...more >

THE FIRST NEW YORKER

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 12, 2008 - Long before we lived here, New York State was home to the powerful Iroquois. Today's Classroom Extra takes a look at this Native American nation, which formed a powerful confederacy. The...more >

EAT YOUR COLORS

By JASMIN K WILLIAMS

September 11, 2008 - Mom is right when she says "Eat your vegetables." It's never too early to start good eating habits. Today's lesson will help you focus on following a healthful diet. WE'VE...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 10, 2008 - Today's page looks at the school life of students in Germany. If you're like most students, you dread the first day of school. But in Germany, the first day of school feels like Christmas...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 9, 2008 - Today's page looks at a day in the life of students in China. So you think you have a long school day and way too much homework? If you were a student in China, you'd spend more hours per...more >

HITTING THE BOOKS AROUND THE WORLD

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 8, 2008 - How would you like to start your school year in January, take Saturday classes, or have two-hour lunch breaks? Students all over the world face their own unique challenges but still manage to have...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 5, 2008 - We use them all the time at school - and you can't play Scrabble® without one. Classroom Extra talked to John Morse, president and publisher of the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, and got the...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 4, 2008 - Hurricanes have been making headlines again with the Caribbean and Gulf Coast getting hit recently. Learn more about these deadly storms. HURRICANE season began on June 1 and continues though Nov...more >

By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS

September 3, 2008 - You're sitting in class and the teacher is explaining the lesson. You can't catch it all at once - and there's a quiz tomorrow. You don't have a private tutor. So what's the next...more >