Innholdsfortegnelse for 257 i The Week Junior

Joe Biden has won the 2020 US presidential election. Biden, the Democratic Party candidate, defeated the current president Donald Trump, who represents the Republican Party. Biden will be officially sworn in as president on 20 January 2021. Who is Joe Biden? Biden has worked in US politics for many years and ran for president twice before. He began working in the Senate (part of the US parliament) in 1973, and from 2008 to 2016 he was vice president (second in command) to President Barack Obama. At the age of 77, Biden is the oldest person to be elected president. When was the result announced? Biden achieved victory on 7 November, after he won the most votes in the state of Pennsylvania. There are 50 states in the US, and each…

14 November 1922 Britain’s first daily radio broadcast begins On 14 November 1922, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) made its first daily radio broadcast. The one-hour broadcast went out at 6pm and featured a news bulletin and a weather forecast. The presenter read the news twice so listeners were able to take notes. At the time, not many people owned radios, but the BBC helped to make them very popular. The transmitter, called 2LO, that made the radio broadcasts possible can be seen at the Science Museum in London.…

● On 2 November, the Christmas lights on London’s Oxford Street were turned on to mark the start of the festive season. ● This year’s Oxford Street light show features 222,000 light bulbs celebrating the UK’s coronavirus heroes. Anyone can nominate someone to have their name lit up in huge letters on the famous shopping street for a week, and there will also be a poem dedicated to London. ● Elsewhere in the UK, the coronavirus pandemic has prompted local authorities to scale back Christmas light shows to save money and to discourage crowds from gathering in one place.…

A British businessman and environmentalist has come up with a way of “making diamonds from nothing more than the sky, than the air we breathe”. Dale Vince – the founder of renewable power supplier Ecotricity – claims that, unlike mining diamonds from the Earth, his method does not harm the planet, but is in fact good for it. This is because Vince’s “sky diamonds” are made using a technology that extracts carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere. Large amounts of carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, are causing climate change – a longterm shift in the world’s weather patterns. Natural diamonds form about 100 miles beneath the surface of the Earth. There, atoms of the element carbon are forced together under…

The Secret in Time by Sally Nicholls. Illustrated by Brett Helquist (Nosy Crow) Following their previous adventure in A Chase in Time, Alex and Ruby once more tumble back in time through a mirror. They find themselves in the cold winter of 1947. On the trail of a family heirloom, the children set out on a perilous journey across the snow. This is the third book in The Time-Seekers series. Little Badman and the Time-Travelling Teacher o Doom by Humza Arshad & Henry White. Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff (Puffin Books) In the second Little Badman story, 11-year-old rapper Humza is stranded at summer school in Pakistan, where there are some very weird things going on. He’s already faced deadly alien slugs and killer aunties – but this time he must…

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey Available on Netflix This new musical is about a toymaker called Jeronicus Jangle, his inventive granddaughter, and a magical robot called Buddy. It’s full of fantastic sets and catchy tunes to start the festive season. His Dark Materials 8pm on 15 November, BBC1 The TV version of Philip Pullman’s adventure novels continues. Lyra and Will follow their quest into parallel worlds after the death of Roger. They soon realise that their fate is tied up with each other as war breaks out around them.…

Vicky Holland, Jess Learmonth, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Jonny Brownlee The athletes were selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, next summer. They will compete in the triathlon: a swimming, cycling and running race. Harry Kane The footballer scored his 150th goal in the Premier League as Tottenham beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0. Hugh Carthy The British cyclist finished third in the Vuelta a España race. It’s one of cycling’s three big events, known as Grand Tours, and is the best result of Carthy’s career. Manchester United Women Their 1-0 win over Arsenal put them top of the Women’s Super League – the highest football league in England – for the first time ever.…

When Joe Biden made a speech soon after his election victory became clear, he spoke powerfully about bringing people together, fairness, justice and freedom. Millions of people all over the world watched and listened to what he had to say. What many of them may not have known was that Biden has a stutter. This means that he sometimes stumbles over his words and has to work hard at speaking smoothly. The Queen’s father, King George VI, was also a stutterer, and there are many more examples of well-known actors, athletes and politicians who – while appearing confident in public – sometimes find it difficult to get their words out. At a political event in the US earlier this year, a 13-year-old boy described how Biden helped him to deal…

Kamala Harris will be Joe Biden’s vice president. The vice president is the second in command to the president. Harris is the first woman to ever hold the position. She will also be the first black and South Asian American person to fill the role. In her victory speech on 7 November, Harris said, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching this tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”…

KEEPY-UPPIES FOR CHARITY On 4 November, 11-year-old Imogen Papworth-Heidel from Cambridgeshire, England, completed a charity challenge. She and others did a total of 7.1 million keepy-uppies for key workers. She did more than 1.1 million herself, over 195 days. The rest were done by around 2,000 other people, including England footballers Marcus Rashford and Lucy Bronze. The challenge has raised more than £11,000 for nine charities. A 100-YEAR-OLD MESSAGE A message sent by carrier pigeon more than 100 years ago has been found in France. It was discovered by a couple who were out walking. They took it to the Linge Museum, where a curator helped to translate it. It is thought to be from the First World War (1914–1918) and will now be displayed in the museum. A YOUNG…

I’m technically no one,” 19-year-old singer Griff tells The Week Junior, which is why she was surprised when Disney asked her to be the singer for its new Christmas advert. The song, Love is a Compass, was written by US duo ParkWild, and adapted by Griff. “It’s about how we can all relate to being young and loving Christmas,” she says, “then as life happens you drift away, but you always come back for Christmas. It’s a hook to unite us again.” Griff’s family fostered children, which is when a child is raised by parents who are not their own. “At first I found it super weird sharing my mum,” she says, “but we got used to it and it’s great to see someone excited to meet new friends, and…

Scientists from Harvard University in the US have discovered the secrets of how octopuses can taste objects with their arms, using a special sense built into their suckers. Octopuses are among nature’s smartest animals – capable of using tools to catch prey, and solving puzzles such as mazes. Part of the reason for these impressive abilities is that they have no fewer than nine brains – a main one in the head, and a smaller brain in each of their eight flexible arms. Each of the smaller brains is a collection of neurons – cells that can receive and transmit information from and to other cells. Studies have shown that they can process signals from the arm and control its movements, allowing each arm to act independently without waiting for…

Anna Brink Zookeeper, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Although some birds that make long migration flights do need to rest along the way, others make a non-stop journey. These long-distance fliers tend to have longer, narrower wings and special feathers to keep them aloft without needing to flap their wings and use energy. 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…

In 1905, Frederick Wells, superintendent of a diamond mine in South Africa, discovered the world’s largest diamond buried just 5.5 metres below the surface. It weighed 3,106 carats (621g). The mine’s owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan, named the rock after himself, and sold it to the South African government, who gave it to the British king, Edward VII as a birthday gift. To protect the diamond from potential thieves, King Edward arranged for a fake to be sent to the UK on a ship guarded by armed police, while the real rock was packed in a cardboard box and posted to him. The Cullinan Diamond was cut into smaller diamonds, some of which now form part of the Crown Jewels (a collection of precious royalceremonial .…

(Orion Children’s Books) Hector is a bully. He doesn’t care about anyone – not his teachers, not the other students at school, and certainly not teachers’ pet Mei Lei. He spends his time being mean to his classmates and making them give him sweets. However, when Hector plays a prank on Thomas, a homeless man in the local park, things get out of hand. Before long, he finds himself joining forces with his enemy, Mei Lei, to solve some peculiar crimes and make sure justice is done before it’s too late. Can Hector become more than just a bully – and maybe even a little bit of a hero? Told from Hector’s point of view, this is a compelling tale about the importance of friendship, empathy and kindness. Award-winning author…

Be Our Chef This cooking programme challenges food-loving families to create delicious dishes using Disney as their inspiration. In each episode, two families go head-to-head in a themed cooking challenge at Walt Disney World. You can stream it on Disney+. My World Kitchen This show celebrates food from around the globe. In each episode, a young person shows how to make a recipe from their country, and you can make the most of them yourself. You can find episodes on BBC iPlayer. The Great British Bake Off The Great British Bake Off pits amateur bakers from the UK against each other as they create cakes, bread and tasty treats, all while standing in a marquee tent in a field. You can watch episodes on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesdays,…

Who can do tai chi? Tai chi is suitable for anyone, regardless of age or ability. It can be enjoyed indoors and outside, and you don’t need any special equipment – just your body and mind. It’s a good alternative to competitive or team sports, if they don’t appeal to you. What happens in a class? A typical class might include some loosening exercises, visualisation activities (where you imagine yourself in a beautiful place, or as an animal) and games on the theme of energy. Some clubs may allow you to watch a class before you commit to taking part.…

Teacher’s name: Mrs Mairs School: St John’s Primary School, Fife, Scotland “Mrs Mairs is a loyal and friendly teacher who guided us through our learning during lockdown. She always makes time for fun tasks and she cares a lot about us all. She looks after us like her own children and treats us fairly and with equal respect. Mrs Mairs is a star!” Jack 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…

Saved by the whale A train that went over the end of train tracks in Spijkenisse, near Rotterdam in the Netherlands, was caught by a giant sculpture of a whale’s tail. Had its fall not been stopped, the train would have landed in a canal 10 metres below. Instead, it balanced on the end of the whale’s tail until the officials worked out what to do with it. The driver is safe and unharmed. The artist who created the sculpture 18 years ago said, “I could never have imagined it that way.” Camera confusion A football match in Scotland was ruined for viewers at home after the camera kept mistaking the assistant referee’s bald head for the ball. In the match between Ayr United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, an automatic…

1 When will Joe Biden officially take office as the next US president? a) 20 December b) 20 January c) 20 February a □ b □ c □ 2 In which London building is the grave of the Unknown Warrior? 3 What creepy crawly creature was named after a Somali scientist? 4 Which author wrote A Christmas Carol? 5 True or false? The world’s oldest female skydiver first jumped from a plane when she was 54. 6 How many hearts do octopuses have? 7 What is a rangoli? a) A colourful pattern made from sand or powder b) A type of coconut sweet c) A flightless parrot a □ b □ c □ 8 True or false? Sir Thomas Cullinan found the world’s largest diamond. 9 Where was a giant…

A three-year-old from Wales has won the 2020 World Puddle Jumping Championship. Theo Burkett-Watkins, from Monmouthshire, impressed judges with his technique. He took a couple of jumps into a puddle before lying down and rolling in it. The event is usually held at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, England. This year, because of coronavirus, people sent videos of themselves jumping in puddles. More than 1,200 people took part from around the world.…

Christmas is going to be different this year,” Boris Johnson the UK Prime Minister recently said. Yet, despite fears that many families may not be able to celebrate Christmas in their usual way, there’s no denying that the festive season has already arrived. The shops are stocked with mince pies; supermarkets are about to release their Christmas adverts; and around the country, twinkling lights illuminate the streets of some towns and cities. This year’s big display in London lit up three weeks earlier than usual, as did the illuminations in St Ives, Cornwall. However, in some parts of the UK, festive light displays have been scaled back this year, to save money in the midst of the pandemic. So what do you think? Is it too early to turn on…

Now that the days are shorter and colder, it can be less tempting to spend time outside in the fresh air. However, providing you dress properly, getting outdoors can be just as enjoyable in winter as it was in the summer. The key to keeping warm is to wear lots of thin layers. A layer of thermal underwear is a good place to begin. Then, depending on the outside temperature, you can layer a jumper or two and a waterproof coat on top. Make sure your socks are not too thick; if your shoes are tight they might stop your blood circulating properly, which will cause your feet to become cold. Finally, make sure you wear warm gloves and a hat that covers your ears – and out you go!…

Plant lovers Researchers at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden have put their entire 14,000 plant collection online for the first time. The database can be used by researchers and the public for free. The team undertook the huge task during lockdown earlier this year, while the Botanic Garden was closed. Insect-eating birds Populations of nine species of insect-eating birds in South America’s Amazon rainforest have fallen rapidly over the last few decades. Scientists say this is because there are fewer insects around due to changes in climate – the same decline was not seen in fruit-eating birds.…

A revolutionary upright wheelchair with a design influenced by a teenager’s bike saddle has been named Product Design of the Year at the Dezeen awards 2020. Suzanne Brewer and her son Jarvis came up with their Walking Wheelchair invention in 2018, after seeing a wheelchair user having difficulty ordering a drink. The chair uses a computer system to balance itself on just two wheels, making it more streamlined than a normal wheelchair and allowing it to turn in tighter circles. A bike-style seat with a motorised piston mechanism helps the user rise into a standing position so they can move around at the same level as most other people, and reach objects that might be out of reach from the seat of a conventional wheelchair. After initially developing the idea…

Going to the polls A toddler joins her father as he votes in the US election. Weight lifting A snail in France carries a mushroom far bigger than itself. Race to the finish line Dragsters race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the US. Christmas lights Festive decorations at The Dome in Edinburgh. Fireworks display Bonfire Night celebrations in the village of Stutton, England. Golden Monkey An artwork on display at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.…

What did you want to be when you were little? A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, She-Ra, an architect and a chocolate inventor. Preferably all at the same time. What is your favourite film? The Fellowship of the Ring. Watched it 23 times in the cinema, countless times since, and have dressed up as Frodo too. Probably my greatest accomplishment. What is a skill you would like to learn and why? How to fly a plane. Mainly because I want to know what it feels like to fly through clouds on your own – and whether pilots really need so many buttons! Do you have any guilty pleasures? I never feel guilty about pleasures – life is too short. What are you most afraid of? Falling sick again.…

The award-winning actor Kate Winslet held her breath for more than seven minutes while filming Avatar 2. Winslet plays a “water person” called Ronal in the film, which is due to be released in December 2022, She learned to free-dive for the role. Free-diving is when the diver relies on holding their breath underwater, rather than using any special equipment to help them breathe. She described it as “just incredible… like crazy, crazy stuff.” The first Avatar film came out in 2009, and was about the alien world of Pandora where creatures called Avatars are linked to human minds. At the time, Avatar made more money from cinema ticket sales than any film in history – although Avengers: Endgame broke that record in 2019. Now there are two Avatar sequels…

Stir Up Sunday is always the last Sunday before Advent in the Christian calendar. This year it falls on Sunday 22 November. It gets its name from the Book of Common Prayer, as the reading for this Sunday starts with the words, “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people”. It has become a traditional time when families make their Christmas pudding in preparation for the festivities ahead. Once the pudding is made it must be stored it in a cool, dark place. This could be the back of the fridge if there’s space. Some people also use Stir Up Sunday to make their Christmas cake and the mincemeat for their mince pies. Here is a recipe for Christmas pudding by Sally Brown and Kate…

The Farmvention challenge aims to get young people aged five to 14 years old who are based in England and Wales thinking about the problems that climate change creates for British farmers. You can enter this competition individually or as part of a team or class. The winners will present their ideas at the Houses of Parliament and win £1,000 for their school to spend on STEM or Outdoor Learning equipment, along with other prizes. To find out more head to farmvention.com Entries close on 31 May 2021.…

Follow The Week Junior on PopJam@TheWeekJunior. You can download the PopJam app from the App Store or Google Play. We asked if everybody should avoid wasting food in order to help the environment. You said… “Yes because some people don’t have lots of leftovers and we do, so we need to be grateful.” “I agree! We shouldn’t waste the natural resources of the world.” “I love nature and we need to preserve it.” “Definitely, whatever I eat I always eat it all.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…