Table of contents for 365 in The Week Junior

INCLUSIVE FESTIVE THEATRE A production of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, is using British Sign Language (BSL). Deaf actor and BSL user Adam Bassett, and Emma Prendergast, who communicates in BSL and spoken English, star in the show at Hull Truck Theatre in Yorkshire, England. A HEALTHY RHINO CALF At just six weeks old, a southern white rhino, has impressed her zookeepers by reaching a weight of 149 kilograms. She now weighs roughly as much as an upright piano. The calf was born in October at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling, Scotland, and has been named Morag following a vote by the public. SHOWING ART FAR FROM HOME Artwork by six primary school children from the UK has gone on display in a museum 8,000 miles away on…

Veracruz, Mexico Migrating birds boost tourism A team made up of environmental groups, universities and farmers have been boosting tourism by promoting a spectacular bird migration. The “river of raptors” happens between August and November each year, when thousands of eagles, hawks and vultures fly across the city of Veracruz on their way to warmer regions for winter. Hawaii, US Volcano erupts Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano has erupted for the first time in 38 years. Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano in the world, rising to 4,169 metres above sea level. Experts warned that the volcano could erupt after a series of earthquakes shook the area. Earthquakes can be a sign that a volcano is about to erupt. Chiclayo, Peru Students find ancient mural A group of student archaeologists…

For hundreds of years, people have gathered holly at Christmas to decorate churches and homes. Holly trees can grow up to 15 metres high and have smooth bark covered in small, brown “warts”. The dark green, glossy leaves are known for having spiked edges, but not all are prickly. The leaves of older trees and leaves higher up in the tree are much more likely to be smooth and oval. Holly trees are “dioecious” (they are either male or female). If pollinated by insects, the flowers of female trees develop into scarlet berries in winter. Holly trees are a popular nest spot for birds, and small mammals like hedgehogs hibernate in their fallen leaves. Mistle thrush birds love holly berries and guard them jealously from other birds.…

The great bustard By studying 619 poo droppings, researchers have recently discovered that great bustards eat plants not just for food, but for medicine too. It appears that the birds deliberately eat plants that kill or reduce the bad effects of parasites. Upto25years Grasslandandopenfarmlandin parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Theycangrowtomore than one metre tall, and males can have a wingspan of two and a half metres. Insectslizardsplants and rodents. Theyaretheworlds heaviest flying bird, and when in flight they are known as the “flying fortress”.…

Tiger Woods is one of the most famous golfers in the world. The US sports star has won 15 Majors (the Majors are the four biggest men’s golf events each year) and 82 other golf tournaments. As he comes to the end of his very successful career, a new golf hero could take over in the future – his 13-year-old son. Just like his dad, Charlie Woods has enjoyed golf since he was very young. He has played in junior events and impressed with his driving (hitting the ball a long way) and putting (hitting the ball towards the hole). In some competitions Tiger has been Charlie’s caddy, which means he looks after Charlie’s golf clubs around the course and gives him advice on what shots to play. This month,…

Have you ever experienced a mind-bending illusion? Illusions are objects or experiences that trick your senses and are not what they seem, and an exciting new museum of illusions has opened in London that is full of them. At the Twist Museum, portals lead into different zones that will baffle your eyes, ears and other senses. The museum also explains how illusions work and what your brain does when your senses are deceived. Our senses let us experience all kinds of things – colours, direction, shapes, smells, sounds, tastes and textures. They can even adapt to different conditions, like the heat of the Sun or a chilly winter frost. Your senses are so good at their job that they rarely get it wrong but when they do, it feels like…

Sonic Prime From 15 December, Netflix This new series follows the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog. Watch as he travels through parallel dimensions, reconnecting with his friends, including Tails. He must stop his arch-enemy, Dr Eggman, from shattering the universe. Gangsta Granny Strikes Again 5.30pm on 16 December, CBBC David Walliams’ popular book is adapted for this TV film. Ben is getting used to life without his Gran but a series of robberies look like her work. Who could be behind them?…

(HarperCollins Children’s) London, 1683. The River Thames has been transformed by the Great Frost and 13-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne are selling sweets at the markets along the frozen river. The success of their new business helps to distract Thomasina from troubles at home – including the death of her twin brother, Arthur. Then a curious gentleman makes the astonishing claim that he can bring Arthur back. He introduces Thomasina to the Other Frost Fair: a magical, night-time festival where she meets the strange Father Winter. Can her wish to bring back Arthur really be granted – and at what cost? A beautifully written historical tale set in a winter wonderland, this is perfect for cosy reading on chilly nights.…

Skydiving from an aeroplane is something very few people have the chance (or are brave enough) to try. If you want to experience safely what zooming through the air is like, then an indoor skydive is the perfect introduction. You step into a flight chamber, which is a big wind tunnel with powerful fans that lift you up and give you the exciting feeling of floating and flying. Indoor skydiving can be done by children aged three and above. As a beginner, you will have a training session with the instructor before you enter the wind tunnel and start your skydive. The instructor shows you the correct position to use: your legs should be straight and in line with your shoulders, and your arms need to be in front of…

Word fill in All these words fit in the grid. Can you work out where they go to complete it? 4 Letters Gale Snow Thaw Wind 5 Letters Flood Front Ozone 7 Letters Celsius Climate Thermal 9 Letters Antarctic Inclement Whirlwind 10 Letters Equatorial Fahrenheit Word jumble Rearrange the scrambled letters to form four words that mean “intelligent”. Wordsearch Can you find all of the types of fish listed below? They are hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and may read forwards or backwards. ANCHOVY CARP CATFISH COLEY HADDOCK HAKE HALIBUT HERRING HUSS MACKEREL PLAICE POLLACK SALMON SARDINE SOLE TILAPIA TROUT TUNA TURBOT WHITEBAIT Number tower Place a number in every circle to complete the tower. The value in each circle is the sum of the numbers in the two circles…

Prison Phoenix Trust The Prison Phoenix Trust goes into prisons and holds yoga and meditation classes. Meditation is when you focus your attention on the present, and this helps you to forget your worries and relax. The classes help prisoners to cope with stress and deal with life’s challenges after they’re released from prison. As well as lessons, the charity sends out books and CDs to help people practise yoga and meditate alone in their cells. Overall it supports around 4,500 prisoners in the UK and Ireland. Grown-ups can find out more at theppt.org.uk…

“We made a World Cup themed cake – it’s even got a hand-drawn flag for every country competing. We also tried to find where all the countries were on a world map.”Dilan and Maya “This is me and my friend. We made collages of faces from magazines. It was so fun, we’d like to show you.”Bella and Izzy “We did a last-minute hack in making a costume for Children in Need using felt tips and pompoms.”Zunairah and Inayah…

A new scheme is being tried in Glasgow, Scotland, to support pupils instead of punishing them for missing school. School attendance across Scotland has dropped since the Covid-19 pandemic. On the scheme, psychologists (experts in thoughts and feelings) and community workers will visit the homes of pupils feeling stressed, anxious or having other mental health issues. It is hoped that this support will help pupils feel able to come back to school.…

In Lincolnshire, England, people are rewilding the landscape, putting wild animals back into fields that were once used for farming. In a nature reserve in Kent, England, bison have been brought back to the British countryside for the first time in 6,000 years. There are rewilding projects around the world too – this year cheetahs returned to India after 70 years when eight were flown from Namibia to an Indian national park. In China, 100 million saxauls (a desert plant) have been planted in the Alxa desert. Rewilding can slow climate change but it can also disrupt food production. It costs money, too, and introducing plants and animals to habitats always carries some risk to the existing wildlife. So what do you think? Should farmland be rewilded? Yes – rewilding…

Miracle Moore was at home in Missouri, in the US, when she realised her mum was about to give birth. Miracle, aged 10, immediately called the emergency services but there was not enough time for her mother to go to hospital. Instead, the doctor on the phone talked Miracle through how to help her mother. Miracle followed the instructions carefully and wrapped the newborn baby girl in a towel and rubbed her back so she could cry. The baby is called Jayla, who Miracle says is “really cute”. Miracle now wants to become a doctor when she grows up.…

Not all parasites are bad to have around. Tapeworms and roundworms can actually boost a person’s immune system (protection from illness) and have been shown to reduce the effects of allergies, like hay fever. Scientists are studying them to see if they could help people with diseases. Parasitoids are insects that behave like parasites, and they can be helpful too. Some farmers release parasitoid wasps because they kill aphids (small insects that destroy food crops).…

There are unfortunately a lot of animals that have been classified as “endangered” – nearly 40,000 at the last count – which is done by a global organisation called the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). The IUCN tracks wildlife so that conservation organisations such as ZSL know which ones need our help the most. Enjoy unlimited visits to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, plus a host of other benefits with ZSL Membership. Find out more at zsl.org/membership/zsl-membership…

Scientists have revived 13 ancient viruses (tiny organisms that can cause illness) that had been lying frozen in permafrost (a layer of soil that is permanently frozen). The viruses were found in samples of soil from Siberia, Russia. One of them was the oldest virus ever discovered, having been frozen for 48,500 years, which makes it far older even than human civilisation. The oldest virus was found buried 16 metres under a lake. It is a “pandoravirus”, a type of virus that only infects amoebas. Amoebas are microscopic (too small to be seen by the human eye) organisms. The scientists added viruses from the permafrost to some amoebas and watched through a microscope. The viruses infected the amoebas, proving that ancient viruses are still active, even after being frozen for…

Stéphanie Frappart She became the first woman to referee a match at the men’s World Cup finals. Frappart, who comes from France, took charge of Germany against Costa Rica. Chelsea Women The current Women’s Super League (WSL) football champions beat Leicester City Women 8-0. Six Chelsea players scored goals. Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix The 18-year-old won gold for Great Britain at the World Junior Diving Championships in Canada. She was first in the 10-metre platform event. Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence The British pair won a silver medal at the Bobsleigh World Cup. Hall and Lawrence race together down a high-speed ice track.…

Did you know that being active not only keeps your body fit but boosts your brain too? Getting active improves your mental health in lots of ways. It helps you cope with stress such as tests at school, and even with making and keeping friends. Studies show that since the Covid-19 pandemic, more young people have reported feelings of anxiety and stress. According to the National Health Service (the NHS), one in six children in England aged six to 16 years have had a mental health issue – that’s gone up from one in nine children since 2017. A new BBC website aims to help by showing some easy ways to get active and helping you to understand your moods, mental health and mind. The site is called Moodboosters (tinyurl.com/TWJ-Moodboost)…

Favourite sweets? Lemon sherbets, rhubarb and custards and mint imperials. If you could time travel, what year would you visit? I’d want to go back to the Great Frost of 1683/4 and see the Frost Fair. I think it must have been so magical to glimpse the frozen River Thames. I also have a recurring dream where I travel back in time to introduce King Henry VIII to a bag of prawn cocktail crisps. So, um, that time too, I suppose. Christmas or birthdays? Christmas, because everyone gets to join in the fun. There’s nothing quite like celebrating with people you love. What was the first story you ever wrote? It was called The Magic Dog and was about – you guessed it – a magic dog. I remember he…

How can I try it? In England, a company called iFLY has indoor skydiving centres in Manchester, Milton Keynes, Basingstoke and London’s O2 venue (opening in February 2023). You need to book in advance. With the help of an adult, check out iflyworld.co.uk for more information and to watch skydiving videos. What else makes it fun? At iFLY, if you’re aged eight or older, you can also try the virtual reality (VR) diving experience. For this, you wear a VR mask that shows a video of a real outdoor skydive, so you can see the sky and the ground. It makes you feel as if you really are flying through the sky.…

As the FIFA World Cup continues in Qatar, an underwater version of the event is happening closer to home. At the Sea Life London Aquarium, six stingrays showed off their football skills by playing with a ball containing lots of fish. Using teamwork and their sense of smell, the rays passed the ball around to make the fish inside the ball fall out, so the rays could eat them. Keepers often give their animals games so they exercise the skills they use in the wild.…

Teacher’s name: Mr Macdonald School: Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School, Durham, England “Every day, Mr Mac, who loves penguins and has a positive attitude, always teaches fun lessons to us. He is so fun that he even makes subordinate clauses exciting. I find noise distracting so he lets me wear my headphones when it helps me to concentrate. Thanks Mr Mac!”Lucille If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send your school three free issues of The Week Junior. Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), a Government organisation in charge of the public’s health, has warned people to be aware of infections caused by Group A Streptococcus – or Strep A. Most people aren’t badly affected by Strep A, but in rare cases it can cause serious illness. In the UK, nine children have died from infections caused by Strep A since September. The UKHSA says that illnesses related to Strep A are higher than usual this year. What is Strep A? Strep A is a type of bacteria (a tiny organism too small to see) usually found in the throat or on the skin. Many people carry Strep A without realising it, because it is usually harmless. It can be spread to others through close contact, coughs and…

John McFall is a British doctor and a Paralympic sprinter – and he will soon become the first disabled person to be an astronaut. When he was 19, McFall was badly hurt in a motorbike accident. As a result of his injuries, his right leg had to be amputated (removed by doctors). Sadly, McFall had to give up his dream of joining the army. He didn’t give up being active, though, and he took up running, using a newly fitted blade on his prosthetic (artificial) leg. In 2008, he competed at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, and won a bronze medal in the 100-metre sprint. Last year, McFall spotted a new challenge: an advert calling for people to join the European Space Agency (ESA) as trainee astronauts. ESA is…

A new study has revealed that wolves infected by a particular parasite change their behaviour. A parasite is a living thing that lives in or on another living thing and takes its nourishment from it. The parasite that infected the wolves is known as Toxoplasma gondii, and it can only reproduce inside cats, although it can infect any warm-blooded animal. Scientists already knew that it could influence some mammals’ behaviour. One previous study shows that chimpanzees infected with the parasite became attracted to leopard wee, making them more likely to be eaten by a leopard. This would put the parasite back inside the leopard, so that it is able to reproduce. The recent study observed grey wolves in Yellowstone National Park, US, over 26 years. It showed that wolves infected…

Pupils at schools in England will soon get the chance to learn about nature and biodiversity (the variety of plant and animal life) in school through a new project, the National Education Nature Park. The project is supported by the Government, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS, the UK’s largest gardening charity) and its aim is to get young people more engaged with nature. Pupils will identify how varied the plant and animal life is around their school and add the information to a national database that will help scientists map biodiversity. Schools without any green spaces will be given money to create them. Students will be involved in improving biodiversity, by digging ponds to encourage wildlife, such as frogs and newts, and creating areas for…

Human Rights Day will be celebrated on 10 December, when the world marks the 74th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This is a document with a list of 30 rights, known as articles. The United Nations (UN) wanted to establish a set of human rights shared by all people, regardless of their gender, skin colour, religion or any other status. The influence of the UDHR can still be seen around the world today. Why were a set of human rights needed? The UN was set up by 50 nations to preserve world peace following the Second World War (1939–1945). Today, 193 countries are members. Founding members included the US, UK and the Soviet Union (a country that was composed of Russia and its nearby neighbours). The…

During the winter months, it is tempting to stay inside in the warmth with a blanket and read a book or watch TV. However, winter is one of the best times of year to go for a walk outdoors and experience the joys of nature. Embracing the colder weather and fresh air can be good for you. Liz Nelstrop at the National Trust tells The Week Junior, “Going outside in the winter months is just as exhilarating as it is during the other seasons, and it has incredible benefits for mental and physical wellbeing.” What are the benefits? Several studies have shown that spending time in nature can be good for people’s health and wellbeing. One study from 2019 showed that spending at least two hours a week in nature…

Nintendo has released a second trailer for The Super Mario Bros Movie, which comes out in cinemas on 31 March. The trailer features familiar characters Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, as well as Donkey Kong and his less well-known grandfather, Cranky Kong. Nintendo says that Cranky was the first ape who Mario fought in earlier games. There are also plenty of hidden messages for eager-eyed gamers to spot. In the trailer, Mario is pictured in a Tanooki suit, a rare item from the Super Mario Bros 3 game from the 1990s. The suit is based on a legendary creature from Japanese mythology called a Tanuki, which uses leaves to change its shape and make mischief. Mario wears the outfit in his quest to help Princess Peach save her kingdom from…

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Inspiring Young Changemakers (Rebel Girls Inc) The latest addition to the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls collection shines a light on 100 extraordinary young women who are making a mark on today’s world. Be inspired by Bindi Irwin, Greta Thunberg, Bethany Hamilton, Zendaya and many more. The Spectaculars by Jodie Garnish (Usborne Publishing) In the first book in a fun new series, Harper is thrilled to be joining the Spectaculars’ travelling theatre and boarding school. Then everyone is plunged into danger – and with the help of new friends, Trick and Thief, Harper must save her new school. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys theatre, adventure and stories with a sprinkling of magic. You Are History by Greg Jenner.…

Name: Mahithi “Comedy, intriguing, chaotic. It kept me laughing all day and is a real adventure story.” YOUR TURN Email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If your review is printed in the magazine you’ll receive a Roving Reporter badge. Tell us what you liked about the book and why you’d recommend it to others, and don’t forget to include your name and address.* WIN! We’re giving away five copies of The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair For a chance to win a copy, just fill in the entry form at tinyurl.com/TWJ-books-365 before the closing date of 16 December at 11.59pm. Make sure you have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. *If you are the competition winner, we will only use the details you provide to contact you and arrange…

What you need 1 Flatten a small box. To make the house shape, draw matching triangles on facing sides of the box for the roof. Cut out the roof shape on both sides and across the sides of the box. 2 Cut some magazine pieces to cover the box. Glue the magazine then press it smoothly around the corners and sides of the box. Trim off the magazine ends. 3 Cut thin rectangular holes for the windows. It’s easiest to cut up from the bottom of the house – and downwards from the top if you want upstairs windows. 4 Stick card strips covered in magazines below or above the window holes. Glue thin strips across the windows, sticking from inside the house. 5 Measure the top of the house,…

This issue we’ve got quite a nature theme going on. You will have seen our gorgeous red squirrel on the cover highlighting the Big Debate (page 8) about rewilding. There is also a report on page 2 about the COP15 conference, which will discuss protecting the world’s rich variety of animals and plants. Do watch the Human Murmuration video (tinyurl.com/TWJ-cop15) – it is wonderful. We’ve also got news about the Earthshot Prize (page 3), which is given to inventions that are helping to save, protect and restore Earth. It’s very exciting to hear that so many clever brains are working hard to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Our Wellbeing feature this week (page 19) is about why winter walks are good for you. I love pulling on boots, scarf…

Solve the future of farming The Engineering Educates Farmvention Challenge wants children and young people to imagine and design farms of the future. There are three categories: Soil Defenders, focusing on how to grow more crops; Cattle Carers, about improving cows’ health and living conditions; and Sustainable Farms, exploring the environmental impact of farming. The challenge is run by the University of Manchester’s Science and Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub, and it’s a chance to learn more about engineering while finding answers to real-life farming problems. Ask your teacher or parent to help you find out more at tinyurl.com/TWJ-Farmvention GET INVOLVED Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please include your full name and address so that we can send you a Roving Reporter badge if your contribution makes…

We asked you if oil and gas companies should pay more tax… “They should pay more tax. The price increase will put them off continuing to pollute.” “They already pay so much, why make them pay extra?” “The Government could use this money to manage the impacts.” “Yes DUH it will encourage them to take action against climate change.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here. JOKE OF THE WEEK “Why was the computer so angry when he got out of his car? Because he had a hard drive!” PopJam user…

1 Who hosted the Earthshot Prize? □ a) Greta Thunberg □ b) King Charles III □ c) Prince William 2 True or false? Swansea Jack saved at least 27 people and two dogs during his life. □ True □ False 3 Who is Asia’s richest person? 4 Which animal does a company want to bring back to life? □ a) Woolly mammoth □ b) Tyrannosaurus rex □ c) Dodo 5 True or false? John McFall is set to become the first person with a disability to be an astronaut. □ True □ False 6 How many times more likely are wolves to become pack leader after infection with Toxoplasma gondii? 7 Who led the United Nations’ Commission on Human rights? □ a) Winston Churchill □ b) Eleanor Roosevelt □ c)…