Credits

Story by:
Bob Rouse

Activities by:
Reta Broadway

Illustrated by:
Frank Yates

Chapter 1:
School in Crisis

1. In the first chapter of our story the students at Goldenrod School and their teacher go through a wide variety of emotions. How do they feel when Ms. Roosevelt makes the announcement that the school will be closing and the students will not all be assigned to the same school next year? When they decide on a plan of action for saving the school? When they receive FreeZee’s challenge?
   
   
2. When the students decide to try to save Goldenrod, they work out a persuasive argument to present to the media and the community. How do you persuade someone to do something? What is your definition of “persuasive argument”? What are some of the ideas the students might present as part of their argument?
   
   
3. Check today’s newspaper for stories about people who have strong feelings about an issue or an event. What emotions can you identify and what are the issues involved? Are the people in any of the stories trying to persuade others to join their point of view? How are they going about this?

ADVANCED ACTIVITIES

1. What is the purpose of a news release? Who provides the news release and to whom is it provided? What information must be included in a good news release? Select an event that is going on in your school or community and write an effective news release about the event.
   
   
2. Perhaps the editor of the Limestone newspaper thinks the students are on the right track in their campaign to save the school. He invites them to submit a guest editorial supporting their cause. Write an editorial that explains the students’ stand and persuades the community to join them in working to save the school.

©2004, Knight Ridder Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.