31
The Place to Be
After school, Marco and Pete walked home. They took turns dribbling a basketball.
“I wish we had a place to shoot baskets,” said Pete. “Land is scarce in the city. It is hard to find a place to play! If we had a basketball court in our neighborhood, we could play any time we wanted!”
The boys were passing by the grocery store when suddenly, Marco pointed to the distance.
“Look, an empty lot!” he said. “It’s the perfect size for a basketball court! Let’s ask Mrs. Flores who owns it.”
“Hello, boys!” smiled Mrs. Flores. The storeowner was busy arranging a display.
“Do you know who owns that empty lot across the street?” asked Marco.
“Why, I do! I can’t decide what to do with it. The lot is too small to build apartments.”
Marco and Pete shared their idea with Mrs. Flores.
“That’s a great idea!” she said. “I would enjoy having kids like you play there every day.”
The next day, Mrs. Flores called city officials and donated the land for the project. Marco and Pete stopped by that afternoon, and she shared the good news with them.
Pete and Marco high-fived each other and Mrs. Flores.
“But what do we do now?” frowned Pete. “We don’t have money to build the court!”
“Don’t worry, boys!” she smiled. “Wait here while I make a phone call.”
Mrs. Flores was smiling when she came back.
“My brother, Tony, owns a construction company. He will donate the materials and build the court if you boys are willing to help him.”
The boys helped the crew every weekend. Their friends pitched in, too. Once the court was completed, the workers built park benches. After construction was done, there was still some empty land behind the court. Marco suggested that they build a mini-park. Then the younger kids could have a place to play, too.
On opening day, everybody in the neighborhood came. The younger kids played in the mini-park, the older kids played basketball, and the parents sat on the benches and watched. From that day on, Mrs. Flores’s empty lot became the place to be!
32
The Story of Surfing
A Polynesian Start
The story of surfing began more than 3,000 years ago in Polynesia. This is a large group of islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. Long ago, the fishermen in Polynesia used wooden boards to ride giant waves. These fishermen had a purpose. They would surf toward the shore. There, they laid their catch of the day on the sand.
The explorer Captain James Cook arrived in 1769. He saw a man paddling quickly in a small canoe. The man then stopped. He sat very still. Suddenly, a giant wave swept up the canoe! The man surfed along at the same speed as the wave. He landed on the beach.
Cook thought it looked like a lot of fun. He thought the man must have felt the “most supreme pleasure” from surfing in this way.
Surfing in Hawaii
The Polynesians brought surfing to Hawaii, too. It became popular there. Even royalty loved it! During the 1800s, King Kamehameha I was the ruler of the Big Island. He used
a hardwood surfboard. It was called olo. The board was about 24 feet long!
The king could navigate big waves. He skillfully steered his board with his legs and feet. He used his arms to balance. The king showed great skill. Today, surfing is often called the “Sport of Kings!”
The Father of Modern Surfing
In the early 1900s, there was a young man named Duke Kahanamoku who lived in Hawaii. He enjoyed surfing there on Waikiki Beach. He was also a talented swimmer. Duke won medals at three different Olympics! He is often considered the father of modern surfing.
Duke helped to make surfing popular in the United States. He once said:
Every day of the year where the water is 76 (degrees)...and the waves roll high, I take my sled...and coast down the face of the big waves that roll in at Waikiki.
The people of Hawaii still enjoy surfing today. Many generations of families carry on the tradition. Parents teach their children. Children teach their children. Surfing is an important part of culture in Hawaii. People of all ages enjoy riding the waves.
33
The Way to Her Heart
Once upon a time, there was a prince who walked to the market every day. On his return to the castle, he would pass through a meadow. Each time, he saw the same beautiful young woman picking flowers. One day, he approached her.
“My name is Princess Ana,” said the woman when the prince asked her name.
The prince was delighted that she was royalty. “May I call on you tomorrow?”
“My father, the king, would not approve. He wants me to marry a prince who lives in a faraway land.”
“But I am a prince, and I live in the next village! How can I convince him?”
“Find a gift worthy of my love and my father’s respect,” she suggested.
The next day, the prince set out to find the princess a gift. Soon, he met a goldsmith.
“I am looking for a gift worthy of a princess,” he said. “It must impress her father, too.”
“Here is a crate filled with gold for your consideration,” said the goldsmith. “It will show your great wealth!”
The prince thought about it and made a decision. “This is not what I am looking for.”
The prince continued on. Next, the prince shared his story with a jewelry maker.
“Here is a valuable necklace made of diamonds,” said the jewelry maker. “It will capture the princess’s heart.”
Again, the prince declined, and he sadly returned home empty-handed.
As he traveled across the meadow, he had an idea. In a flurry of excitement, he rushed about and picked a bunch of flowers. Then, he tied them together with a velvet ribbon.
The prince went to the princess’s castle and met the king and his daughter in the great hall. The prince bowed to the king.
“I have come to call on your daughter. I did not think a crate of gold or a diamond necklace were worthy of her.”
He handed the princess the flowers.
“These flowers capture your daughter’s beauty: the blue of her eyes, the red of her lips, the yellow of her hair.”
The princess looked at the king and smiled. “This prince understands the way to my heart,” she said.
Princess Ana took the prince’s hand and they married with the king’s blessing. They lived happily ever after.
34
A President for Peace
Jimmy Carter was 39th President of the United States. He has dedicated his life to solving problems. The former President still consults with world leaders today. He seeks out their advice and information to try to help solve world problems.
Early Life
James Earl Carter, Jr., was born on October 1, 1924. His father owned a farm in Georgia. Young Jimmy worked hard on the family farm.
Jimmy became interested in business early in life. He began selling his farm’s peanuts. He used the money to buy five cotton bales. He was only 9 years old! He saved the cotton bales. Years later, the bales were worth a lot of money. Jimmy sold the cotton bales. He used this money to buy homes. He rented the homes to farm workers.
Jimmy completed high school. He was the first person in his family to do so. Then he joined the U.S. Navy. Carter became a Naval officer. During this time, he married Rosalynn Smith. Rosalynn was his sister’s best friend.
Public Service
In the early 1960s, Carter became interested in politics. He began serving as Georgia state senator in 1963. In 1971, Carter became governor. During this time, African Americans did not have the same rights as whites. Carter supported equal rights for African Americans. He passed laws in favor of racial equality. He also made sure that more African Americans were in public office.
Promoting Peace
Governor Carter decided to run for U.S. President. In 1976, he campaigned against President Ford. It was a close race, but Carter won. He became President in 1977.
During his presidency, Carter worked to end conflicts between countries. In 1977, he met with world leaders from Israel and Egypt. He helped to create a peace plan between the two nations.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He received the honor for his dedication to peace, democracy, and human rights.
35
One Wild Ride!
The Alvarez family parked their car near an open field. Hugo carried a picnic basket, and his mother and sister carried backpacks filled with items they would need for their ride. Hugo’s father was checking on the hot-air balloon. Mr. Alvarez just got his pilot’s license, and he was taking his family on their first balloon ride!
The family piled into the large basket. Once they were safely inside, the balloon started rising up, up, and away!
“Wow! This is the coolest flying machine I’ve ever seen!” Hugo grinned.
Mom laughed. “I think I left my stomach on the ground!”
“Look!” Eva pointed. “I think we’re headed toward that mountain.”
Mr. Alvarez had just guided the balloon over the mountain when suddenly, a thick fog surrounded them.
“It’s hard to see!” shouted Mr. Alvarez. “This could be a serious problem. It’s critical that I try to land the balloon.”
“I see land ahead!” shouted Hugo.
At that moment, the family heard a ripping sound, and
the basket landed on the ground with a plop.
“Is everyone all right?” asked Mr. Alvarez.
The fog lifted and everyone looked around.
“Where are we?” asked Hugo. “All of the plants are huge! I think we landed on another planet!”
Mrs. Alvarez chimed in, “Let’s get out of here quickly.
If the plants are this big, I don’t want to know what the animals look like!”
Eva opened her backpack. “We have tape in the first-aid kit, and Mom always carries a sewing kit. I think we can repair the balloon.”
Mr. Alvarez nodded. “Excellent!”
Hugo pointed. “Look, a giant Yucca tree. If we run out of food, we can eat its fruit!”
“You’re very resourceful,” said Mrs. Alvarez. “Keep thinking of things we may need in case we’re here for a while.”
Mrs. Alvarez and Eva made the repairs while Mr. Alvarez and Hugo looked for wood to build a fire.
“Dad, here is some dried Yucca. This wood is great for a fire,” said Hugo.
The family sat around the fire and ate lunch. Soon, they heard a strange howl in the distance.
“It’s time to get out of here,” Mr. Alvarez declared.
The family quickly put out the fire got back in the air. Mr. Alvarez sighed with relief. He carefully steered the balloon away from the enormous plants.
“It looks like smooth sailing from here!” shouted Hugo.
36
Patterns All Around You
Step outside and look around. There are patterns all around you! Imagine being at the seashore. You gaze out toward the ocean and see big waves curling over and over again. Next, the waves flatten out and rush onto the sand. The water leaves behind a pattern in the sand. The pattern repeats itself, again and again. This is just one pattern in nature. What others have you seen?
Patterns in Nature
Think about a leaf that has fallen from a tree. You pick it up and study it. Its pattern is not complex. It is rather simple! If you cover half of the leaf, you can see it has a certain size and shape. It also has a series of veins. When you uncover the other half, you can see that it looks exactly like the part that you just studied! That is because both halves of the leaf are the same. They have the same size, shape, and vein markings.
You can see this in insects, as well. A butterfly has
a similar kind of pattern as a leaf. Each butterfly wing is shaped the same. They also have the same colorful pattern. If you look closely, you can also see that there are antennae on each side.
A Spider’s Web
Have you ever walked into a spider’s web? This
little critter is capable of building a complicated web during the night.
Think about the design of a spider’s web. Some webs look like bicycle wheels. The spider builds a frame with its silk. Spokes, or rays of silk, are built from the center. They form a pattern. The spider sits in the center and waits to catch its prey. The spider senses another insect when it feels vibrations on its web. It rushes out and bites the other insect. This perfect web design is just another example of the amazing patterns we can discover in nature.
37
Tony Beaver, Lumberjack
Long ago, there lived a family called the Beavers. There was Paw and Maw Beaver. They named their children Tony, Betsy, and Molly. The family had a tiny log cabin deep in the mountains of West Virginia.
Each day, Paw gave Tony a chore to do.
“Go on and chop down a tree. Maw needs some wood to build a fire.”
Now, the one chore Tony enjoyed most was chopping trees. So, he picked up his ax and walked on a path to a wooded area. His little sisters tagged along. There, Tony chopped down a hickory tree. He did it with just a few mighty swings! After, he and his sisters hauled the wood back to the cabin.
One day, Tony went to the town of Turtle Cove. There, he spotted the best lumberjack around. His name was Big Bill Simpson. Big Bill was having a tree-chopping contest that day. He was giving an award for the mountaineer who could chop faster than him.
Tony loved the idea of contests. So, he decided to enter. When his name was called, he sauntered over to an ax and then strolled to the tree.
Big Bill shouted, “On your mark, get set, chop!”
Whack, whack, whack! Tony got into a fast-paced rhythm. It was like the beat of a drum. He was so fast that he chopped that ol’ hickory tree into matchsticks! It only took him a minute! He won the contest easily.
From that day forward, Tony never stopped chopping down trees. Soon, he started his own lumberjack business along the banks of the Eel River.
Over time, Tony perfected his skills. He was known as the best lumberjack in the land. Tony’s fame entitled him, or gave him the right, to be proud. He definitely deserved it!
People were amazed that he could chop down so many trees so fast. On the back swing, he cut down the tree behind him. On the down swing, he chopped down the tree in front of him. When Tony got bored, he set his ax down. With one mighty yank, he pulled out a tree by its roots!
Even to this day, Tony Beaver is famous. He is the best mountaineer to ever live in the hills of West Virginia.
38
Shirin Ebadi and the Fight for Human Rights
Shirin Ebadi is a gifted teacher and lawyer. She fights peacefully to help gain rights for women and children. She is also very courageous. At times, she has spoken out against the government where she used to live.
Early Life and Career
Shirin was born in the country of Iran in 1947. She was raised in the capital city of Tehran. In 1969, she received a law degree from the University of Tehran. Later, she became the first woman judge in Iran. This was a great accomplishment, for in her country, women do not have the same rights as men. She also became president of the city court in Tehran in 1975.
Shirin’s life took a big turn four years later. During this time, Iran experienced a revolution. People with strong views took control of the country. Shirin was forced to step down as judge. She was denied her rights. Then she was offered a lower position. Instead of taking the job, she left her job. This determined woman would not reconsider, or revisit, her decision. She would not be a clerk in a court where she had once ruled as a judge.
Shirin tried to practice law, but it was not possible. Her application for a license was turned down. She began to write books about what she believed in. She wrote about human rights. She described the importance of freedom for everyone.
Peace and Rights for All
In 2003, Shirin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This was a very high honor. It recognized her efforts in helping to gain rights for women and children.
Shirin is a founder of the Association for Support of Children’s Rights in Iran. She also teaches at a university. Shirin leads training courses in human rights. She travels around the world to speak about it. Shirin is a role model and an inspiration to others. She is a fearless person who will help make the world a better place for women and children.
Any person who pursues human rights in Iran must live with fear...but I have learned to overcome my fear.
—Shirin Ebadi
39
Life in Plymouth Colony
Dear Diary,
I have just a moment to write this morning. It has been a difficult transition since we sailed from England four years ago.
The change was very hard at first. We had little food, but now, life
is good. We have plentiful food and a small, but cozy home. It reminds me of our home back in England because it, too, is made of timber and the roof is steeply pitched. There are still little reminders of our life in England. But oh, how I miss my friends!
“Sarah! Samuel! It is time for chores,” Mother called.
Sarah closed her diary and climbed down from the sleeping area. Then she picked up a pail and carried it to the stream to fetch water. When she returned, Sarah gathered wood from the shed and then helped her mother prepare a simple meal of porridge, corn bread, and cheese.
“Mother, don’t you miss the market? We bought such wonderful foods there!” Sarah had a dreamy expression on her face.
“I do miss the market and our home, but life in the colony has been good to us.”
“How?” asked Sarah.
“Our new friends are very supportive. We help each other and give each other strength. We are very lucky to have them.
“But don’t we work much harder here?”
“Yes, that is for sure. You and your brother, Samuel, would be attending school now. Instead, he is out hunting with your father. Hopefully, they will bring back a bird for supper. Now, we must finish cooking. We have many chores left to do!”
After breakfast, Sarah and her mother cleaned their home. They stuffed their mattresses with straw. It was left over from the rye seed that Father and Samuel planted in the fields.
Next, they made soap and then picked carrots and turnips
from their garden.
Later that evening, Sarah helped Mother prepare supper, a simple stew made of duck and vegetables. Afterwards, Sarah and Samuel practiced their reading and writing. Their parents wanted them to take time each day to study. When they were done, the children played a game.
“Samuel, get the knicker box and marbles!” called Sarah. “Maybe tomorrow, we can get the other children to run races with us!”
“That is a fine idea,” responded Mother. “You see, there is still time for fun even after a good day’s work!”
40
Invasion of the Asian Carp
Imagine fishing off a boat on a warm, summer day. Suddenly, something flies out of the water. It is a fish! Soon, dozens of fish are leaping out of the water. They look as if they are flying. You duck down! What you are seeing is an invasion of a fish called silver carp. It is a type of Asian carp.
Escaping Up the Mississippi
In the 1970s, different kinds of carp were brought to the United States. These variations came from Southeast Asia. Asian carp include bighead, silver, grass, and black carp. People put the carp in commercial fishponds and waste treatment plants. The carp were used to remove algae in the ponds and sealed off areas.
But the carp escaped during floods and swam up the Mississippi River. Today, Asian carp are found in 18 states along the river! They are getting close to the Great Lakes region of the United States.
Upsetting the Balance
Many types of carp feed at the bottom of lakes and rivers. Asian carp are different. They feed toward the top of the water. They eat small organisms there. They eat the same food that other fish eat. And they eat a lot! Asian carp can eat about 20% of their body weight every day.
Unlike other kinds of fish, Asian carp are aggressive. They also grow fast. Silver carp jump out of the water when they are surprised. This can hurt people in boats. Bighead carp grow to be up to four feet long and weigh about 100 pounds! They take up a lot of space that other fish need to live.
Preventing Migration
Efforts are being made to stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes area. Electrical barriers have been built, but Asian carp are strong swimmers. If there is an opening, they may find a way through.
41
Friends and Allies
Samantha and Keisha had been best friends for as long as they both could remember. The girls lived one block from the beach, so naturally, they grew up swimming and surfing together. Samantha and Keisha were going surfing today.
“Samantha, please wear your wetsuit!” yelled Mom from the kitchen. “The ocean temperature is very cold!”
“I know, I know,” muttered Samantha. “It insulates me so that I don’t lose body heat.”
The girls carried their surfboards to the beach and waved hello to the lifeguard. They spent the afternoon catching waves, and when the water was calm, they rested in the sand.
“Are you ready for the swim team tryouts this week?” asked Samantha.
Keisha wondered aloud, asking, “What if one of us doesn’t make the team?”
“No chance for that!” said Samantha confidently.
During tryouts, the girls cheered each other on. It was a long week because they wouldn’t find out who made the team until Friday. After the final bell rang on Friday afternoon, they ran to the gym.
“We made it!” shouted Keisha, pointing at their names on the list.
“We have a swim meet on Monday, so we should practice tomorrow,” said Samantha excitedly.
Keisha frowned. “I don’t know how I feel about competing against you.”
Samantha thought for a moment. “It will be okay. You’re my ally, so we’ll always be united, even when we race against each other!”
On Monday, the swim team rode the bus to the swim meet. The girls were in two races, one for each type of swim stroke: the butterfly and the freestyle. The first race was the butterfly. Keisha took a commanding lead, but toward the end, Sam started to pull ahead. When Keisha and Samantha reached for the pool wall, Samantha touched first!
For a moment, Keisha felt a pang of disappointment, but she recovered quickly. She was happy for her friend.
The next race was the freestyle. As soon as the race began, a swimmer from another school took the lead. By the end, Samantha and Keisha were neck-and-neck with her. The other swimmer touched first, Keisha was second, and Samantha
was third.
“Great job!” Samantha shouted as she hugged her friend. “It does feel strange racing against each other, but it’s a good thing because we get to practice together and help each other get better. What do you say we practice tomorrow?”
Keisha smiled. “That sounds like a great plan!”
42
California Sea Otters
Are you an otter spotter? If you ever visit California, be on the lookout. You just might spot a cute sea creature! It is called the California sea otter.
Sea Otter Features
The sea otter has the world’s densest fur. It has one million hairs per square inch of its body. A sea otter needs a thick fur coat. It keeps the sea otter warm in cold waters. A sea otter spends a couple of hours each day grooming its coat. This keeps its fur healthy.
Sea otters eat a rich diversity of foods. They enjoy many different clams, crabs, and sea urchins. They also eat sea stars and snails. It can be fun to watch them eat. They lie on their backs, eating while they swim at the same time!
Sea Otters Struggle
Long ago, the California sea otter lived all along the Pacific coast. Today, there are fewer otter habitats. They struggle to survive. There are about 2,500 sea otters living in central California. Scientists are not sure why the population is not growing. Coastal pollution and oil spills may be causes. Both can harm the sea otter population.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a “must-visit” place. Here, scientists are exploring ways to save sea otters. They rescue injured otters and care for them. Scientists release them again when they are healthy. Sea otters stay at the aquarium if they are not healthy enough to return to the wild.
When you go there, be sure to visit the “Otter Spotter Station.” You can talk with staff members. You can observe and monitor sea otters. You’ll use a radio tracking device to track their movements. You will even use binoculars to get a good look at these interesting creatures!
Unit Assessment
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