Middle School
January 21 reading ideas
Finding reading ideas for this date…
Finding reading ideas for this date…
Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day with four squirrel stories, then explore the USS Nautilus launch at Groton. Compare each squirrel’s problem-solving and discover how submarine engineering changed undersea travel. Read how Benny shows his mother affection with a hug, then talk about how people can show care in ways that feel comfortable to both people.
Special date
The USS Nautilus launched at Groton, Connecticut, on January 21, 1954, introducing a new chapter in submarine engineering. Read how its technology worked and identify one design choice that changed underwater travel.
Find the main idea.
Special date
Squirrel Appreciation Day is an informal January 21 observance with room for playful animal stories. Compare squirrel characters’ plans and problems, then describe one real squirrel behavior you have observed.
4 reading resources
Explore how setting shapes characters’ choices.
Read passageExplore how setting shapes characters’ choices.
Read passageExplain an idea with text evidence.
Read passageCompare Walter’s unusual interest with the other squirrel-story characters.
Read passageSpecial date
Read how Benny shows his mother affection with a hug, then talk about how people can show care in ways that feel comfortable to both people.
Describe why the hug matters to Benny and his mother, and discuss asking before a hug.
Read passageYour topic. Your level.
Have another idea for today’s lesson? Let Pico create an AI-assisted passage with questions and an illustration. Choose the topic and reading level in the creator.
For Squirrel Appreciation Day, read Urban Squirrel Adventures, The Squirrel Who Dreamed of Flying, Squirrel Family’s Cooking Catastrophe, and Walter the Art Critic Squirrel. Then read Undersea Revolution: The Tech and Triumph of the USS Nautilus and locate Groton, Connecticut, where the submarine launched in 1954.
Read how Benny shows his mother affection with a hug, then talk about how people can show care in ways that feel comfortable to both people. Read Benny Bunny's Big Surprise and describe why the hug matters to Benny and his mother, and discuss asking before a hug.
