Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 159 i The Week Junior

An ancient Roman statue found inside a margarine tub was among the discoveries made in England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 2017, according to a report by the British Museum that was released on 11 December 2018. The 2,000-year-old figure of the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva, was originally found at least 10 years ago by a farmer, who thought it was worthless. It was only properly identified after it was examined by an expert. Len Jackman, a retired lorry driver and amateur metal detectorist, stumbled upon the statue after he asked the farmer if he could search for treasures on his land in Oxfordshire. The farmer then mentioned the statue, which he had kept in an empty Flora margarine tub since finding it more than a decade ago, and…

24 December 1979 Europe launches its first rocket On 24 December 1979, the first European-built rocket, Ariane 1, was launched into space. The rocket was designed to be able to put two satellites into orbit at the same time. After two failed launch attempts, Ariane 1 finally blasted into space at 2.14pm local time, from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guiana, in South America. The team in the control room erupted in celebration. France and Germany paid 80% of the costs between them and the UK contributed less than 2.5%.…

Christmas appeared to come early for the residents of Dawlish, in Devon, when sea foam blanketed the streets on 13 December. The foam looked like snow and made the town look as if it were having a white Christmas. It happened because lots of algae (plantlike organisms that grow in water, such as seaweed and pond scum) had been whipped up by the rough seas. The massive waves hitting the coast of Devon delayed trains and flood alerts were issued.…

High in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland, a herd of reindeer are enjoying winter in the hills. “It’s the one very ideal place in the UK for them to be,” Tilly Smith, who manages the herd, tells The Week Junior. “They are Arctic animals and come from a part of the world where they can have all sorts of weather thrown at them. They’ve got big feet for walking on snow and digging, so they’ree incredibly hardy.” Although everyone knows that Santa’s special herd of reindeer have a busy time at Christmas, the Cairngorm reindeer are free to relax in their mountainous home, after being reintroduced to Scotland in 1952. “Reindeer had been here before,” says Smith. “There is some debate as to how recently – Vikings say they hunted…

Charles Fusari Team leader, the Aquarium, ZSL London Zoo Scientists still don’t understand why some fish are see-through. It’s almost as if they have the power of invisibility. Where, for example, are the heart, veins and vessels that move blood around the body? One theory is that these fish are so flat that light passes through them. Another idea suggests their cells (the basic building blocks of living things) are specially clustered. Do you love animals? ZSL London Zoo’s Junior Zoo Academy is a great way to learn about creatures from all over the world. Find out more at zsl.org/experiences…

On 5 December,, the Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canavaral, in Florida, US, carrying a seasonal payload of turkey, cranberry sauce and fruitcake to astronauts who will spend Christmas Day on board the International Space Station (ISS). Christmas in space is a little different to here on Earth – for a start the astronauts will be eating their festive feast in zero gravity about 250 miles above the Earth. They get time off and spend the day relaxing, talking to their families and exchanging gifts. The Christmas goodies successfully docked with the ISS on 8 December.…

The Night I Met Father Christmas by Ben Miller. Illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (Simon & Schuster) Have you ever wondered how Father Christmas became Father Christmas? When Jackson meets the man himself on Christmas Eve, he has the chance to hear his incredible story. TV comedian Ben Miller has written this Christmas tale, which is packed with lots of festive illustrations. The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig. Illustrated by Chris Mould (Canongate) The team behind A Boy Called Christmas is back with an illustrated rhyming story that’s uplifting, funny and warm-hearted. The Truth Pixie can only say things that are true, which often gets her into trouble. When she helps someone else, though, can she also learn to love and appreciate herself? Noel Streatfeild’s Christmas Stories by Noel Streatfeild…

A hare-raising return Settle in for a brilliant new version of the bestseller, Watership Down . This Christmas, the BBC is broadcasting a star-studded new version of Watership Down. Shown in two special feature-length episodes, it tells the story of a group of rabbits who have to flee their home because it is facing destruction. Led by brothers Hazel (voiced by James McAvoy) and Fiver (Nicholas Hoult), the rabbits must search for a new place to live. Richard Adams wrote the book Watership Down in 1972. He came up with the story of the rabbits to keep his daughters Juliet and Rosamond entertained during long car trips when they were young. He based some of the rabbits’ characters on people he had met, including army officers he…

The BFG 5.40pm on Boxing Day, BBC One Roald Dahl’s book The BFG was turned into a hit family film back in 2016, and it’s been scheduled for Boxing Day on BBC One this Christmas. It arrives at the right time, too, with the announcement that Netflix is starting work on new animated stories based on other Dahl classics such as Matilda, The Twits and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The BFG is on the list, too, but it will take a lot to beat this charming, witty adaptation, stars Oscar winner Mark Rylance in the title role. Famous director Steven Spielberg had always been a huge fan of the book, and jumped at the chance to bring it to the screen. WORTH THE WAIT It took nearly 25 years…

Newspapers are predicting that this winter might be the coldest in the UK for a decade. This might not fill grown-ups with joy – they’ll be thinking of frozen pipes, iced-up cars and ruined gardens – but it definitely has a plus side for young people. There could be lots of snow, which means it’s time to go sledging! From wooden-framed toboggans to steerable snow scooters, sledges come in all shapes and sizes, but a simple plastic sledge from, say, Halfords or Argos will do the job. Wear warm clothes, find a slope, and off you go. “Tobogganing helps you bond with your friends and family and meet other people,” says Joe, our case study. It’s a really social activity, getting people of all ages and backgrounds talking and playing…

What you need Green sheets of paper Scissors Tape or glue White tack Instructions If you want to make your door or wall more festive, why not build your very own Christmas tree using paper chains? First cut some strips of green paper, around two centimetres wide and 20 centimetres long. Make your first loop by curling a strip into a circle and sticking the ends together with either a piece of tape or a dab of glue (hold together until dry). The top of your tree is one loop, which is the first main layer. The tree pictured has five main layers, with each one using one more loop than the one before it, ending with five loops at the very bottom. Make all of these main layers and…

Sponsored by Teacher’s name: Mr Mardle School: Wrestlingworth Lower School, Bedfordshire “Mr Mardle makes us want to learn more and more. He has a traffic light in his classroom (a real one) and lots and lots of Lego sets that he has built. He opens our eyes to different music and he takes us on amazing school trips.” Sebastian If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send your school three free issues of The Week Junior and your teacher will receive a STABILO Marking Pack of seven pens worth £17. Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

A Swedish teenager has inspired people around the world after making a speech at the climate conference. Greta Thunberg told the COP24 delegates, “You are not mature enough to tell it like it is – even that burden you leave to us children. I don’t care about being popular, I care about the living planet.” Thunberg started her protest this summer before an election in her home country to raise awareness of climate change.…

A TOWN IN GERMANY Gold bars have been left by a mystery donor at a number of organisations in a town in northern Germany. The bars, which together are worth around £15,000, appeared at a care home, an animal-welfare association and a community group in Cuxhaven. A FESTIVE FIND A letter written to Santa 120 years ago has been found in Canterbury. In the note, five-year-old Marjorie from Eastbourne requested toy ducks and chickens. She also asked Santa to deliver a ball for her cat, Kittykins. The note was discovered in a book donated to a charity shop and is now on display in a toy shop. RUPERT THE DALMATIAN When Rupert first met his vets, he wass nervous and growled whenever they tried to touch him. However, he finally…

George Mottershead began building Chester Zoo in 1930. As a child, during a trip to Manchester Zoo with his father, Mottershead said, “When I have a zoo, it won’t have any bars.” Mottershead officially opened his zoo in Chester in 1931 and, even though it occupied just 28,000 square metres of land, his dream of a sanctuary without bars had become a reality. Since then, Chester Zoo has grown to more than two square kilometres and is highly respected around the world for its work in conservation and research.…

● The Christmas dinner has transformed from when it first became popular in the Victorian period. In the early 19th century, mince pies were made with a meat filling, but slowly changed into the sweet versions we know today. Similarly, turkey gradually replaced goose and beef as the meat of choice. ● Some traditional festive foods are losing popularity among young people. A 2010 study showed that mince pies, Christmas pudding, sprouts and cranberry sauce are all preferred by the older generation. ● As more people become vegetarian and vegan, meat-free foods like nut roasts are growing in popularity.…

What can you do to help minimise the mountain of festive waste? Here are a few easy-to-achieve ideas: ✓ Avoid types of card and paper that are glittery or shiny because these cannot be recycled. ✓ Wrap gifts in pages from old newspapers or magazines. ✓ Create your own gift tags by cutting up old Christmas cards. ✓ Ask your parents or carer to buy a potted Christmas tree that can be put outside in January and brought in again next Christmas. ✓ Transform leftover food into more tasty meals; turkey, veg and gravy can be mixed together and topped with mashed potato or pastry to make a Christmas pie.…

Spotting a white reindeer A white reindeer calf has been snapped by a hiker in northern Norway. This animal’s unusually coloured fur is caused by a genetic condition that affects the production of pigment (chemicals that colour an animal or plant). Seeing a white deer is supposed to bring good luck. Hawaiian monk seal An endangered Hawaiian monk seal has been pictured with an eel stuck up its nose. Luckily, this individual made a full recovery. Scientists from the US National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration say they have seen this before but they are baffled as to why it happens.…

In this spooky Victorian-set adventure, orphan Seren is setting out for a new life in the Welsh countryside. She’s going to live with her father’s oldest friend, Captain Jones, and his family, and she’s looking forward to a warm, cosy and happy Christmas in her new home. Her journey takes a peculiar turn, however, when she is given a mysterious package by a strange man at the railway station. When she arrives at her destination, things get weirder; the parcel contains a magical clockwork crow, who becomes Seren’s companion. Together, can they uncover the sinister secrets of her new home? Set in a gothic mansion in a landscape of frost and snow, this is a spellbinding story full of excitement and magic. It’s an enthralling Christmas mystery, just right for…

Lego AR Playgrounds iOS (Free) The latest company experimenting with augmented-reality (AR) technology is Lego, whose new AR app is all about its Ninjago characters. The game lets you put mini versions of the Ninjago team – Cole, Jay, Kai and Zane – onto a table, floor or other flat object in the real world around you, and then run, jump and battle your way through a horde of enemies. The app can be used with real Ninjago sets, but you don’t have to own them to play: just select “no” when asked, and the game will start anyway. It’s fun to play alone, but the best part is teaming up with a friend in the two-player mode if they have an iPhone and the app,, too. Roy of the…

Why try sledging? It’s fun and it’s fast. All you need is a have-a-go attitude and a bit of stamina for walking back up the slope after each run. What should I wear? Thick gloves, sturdy boots and a warm coat are essential. Waterproof trousers are recommended, if you don’t want to go home with a wet bum. Where can I go sledging? When it snows, search for “best sledging near me”. Try it indoors at Snozones in Buckinghamshire and Yorkshire, Snow Factor in Glasgow, Chill Factore in Manchester or the Snowdome in Staffordshire.…

The National Literacy Trust and Penguin Random House, which published The Meltdown, Jeff Kinney’s latest book in The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, have teamed up to get pupils writing their own diary entries. The competition is open to seven to 12-year-olds, and all you have to do is write 500 words about what you have done (or might get up to) on a snow day. Teachers can find free resources to help students get involved on the National Literacy Trust website. Find all the details at tinyurl.com/TWJ-writingcomp…

Follow The Week Junior on Popjam@TheWeekJunior. You can download the free Popjam app from the App Store or Google Play. The 29-year-old yachtswoman Susie Goodall was rescued from the Southern Ocean 50 hours after her boat was hit by a storm. You said… “I hope she’s home in time for Christmas” “I think I would have a heart attack if that happened to me” “Hooray! They saved her” “I bet she was really cold” A café in Tokyo, Japan, recently introduced robot waiters controlled by people. You said… “Robot voice: ‘What is your order?’” “I would like to go” “It must be a super good experience” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here. The Week Junior is delivered in…

A passionate fan of the festive season has built a Christmas castle around his desk at work, complete with a working drawbridge, toy penguins and a chimney. Jack Makepeace, aged 24, based his creation on the IceHotel in Sweden, which he visited with his wife earlier this year. He has built festive houses around his workplace for three years running, inspired by a company competition. Makepeace says he constructed the castle in about five hours.…

1What was found in a margarine tub? a) A mouse b) A 2,000-year-old Roman statue c) A gold bar 2True or false? There was a fire at London Zoo on 15 December. 3In which country’s parliament were rats dropped on politicians? 4What festive food did supermarket Iceland launch this year? a) Turkey trifle b) Marmite sprouts c) Parsnip Christmas pudding 5What sort of animal does Tilly Smith herd? 6What creature got stuck in the nose of a Hawaiian monk seal recently? a) A salmon b) An eel c) A seahorse 7True or false? The Nutcracker story was a book before it was a ballet. 8What’s the name of the spacecraft that most recently entered interstellar space? 9Which French town hosts a turkey festival? a) Licques b) Paris c) Montpellier 10True…

Now that you’ve read more about it, tell us what you think by voting in our poll at theweekjunior.co.uk/polls . Vote YES if you think it’s time to ditch traditional festive foods, or NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results in the New Year. The aim of the Big debate page is to present two sides of an issue fairly and objectively, in order to stimulate discussion and allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on the page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and the page is not funded by third parties. The page is created in association with the English-Speaking Union, an educational charity helping young people discover their voice and realise their full potential. For more information, please…

What did you want to be when you were young? I wanted to be an archaeologist, but I very soon realised I was going to be a poet and writer. What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? The scariest thing I have ever done is speak to a huge audience in the Albert Hall. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Invisibility, but that would have to include my clothes, or it would be too cold. Favourite Christmas food? Has to be Christmas pudding with custard. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? Wales.…

World Cup: Summer of Love 9pm on 19 December, ITV Match of the Day: the 2018 World Cup Story 2.10pm on New Year’s Eve, BBC One Football fever swept across the country this year when England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Relive that unforgettable month in World Cup: Summer of Love, when England manager Gareth Southgate, the team’s players and the people who followed their journey tell their side of the story. In a New Year’s Eve Match of the Day special, football fans will get another chance to look back on the exciting action that took place in Russia – including the most fantastic and exciting goals. Snow Bears 6.30pm on Boxing Day, BBC One Narrated by actor Kate Winslet, Snow…

Looney Tunes World of Mayhem iOS / Android (Free) If you’ve ever wondered who’d win in a scrap between Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Daffy Duck and Tweety Pie, it’s your lucky week. This game takes some of the most famous Looney Tunes cartoon characters and gets them battling. Your job is to build a team of characters and get to know their unique (and often very silly) special attacks as you take on rival teams – including those of other real players in the game’s PvP (Player versus Player) online mode. Along the way you’ll build your own Looney Tunes Town, with some familiar cartoon landmarks.…

“I go tobogganing every time the snow settles. It has to be good snow or you end up not moving very fast. There’s a golf course near us with some really steep hills which are brilliant for going down fast, and there are bumps that make great jumps. I love it because I like high-speed activities. It is fun challenging yourself, and if you crash you usually land in soft snow!” WHAT A RIDE! The longest sledge run in the world is in Grindelwald, Switzerland. It’s nine miles long and takes an hour to complete. The downside? There’s a two-hour hike to reach the start point. WARNING! Don’ ledge lopes that end oad, pond ine fence or wall. t s e on s d near a r , l e…

What you need Icing sugar Large marshmallows Pretzel sticks or mini marshmallows Squeezable icing tubes Strawberry laces (optional) Instructions To begin, you need to make the glue that will stick your marshmallows together by combining icing sugar and water. Use a little bit of this mixture to stick three large marshmallows on top of each other. Next, add the arms – either by gently poking short pretzel sticks into either side of the middle marshmallow, or using more icing-sugar glue to stick two smaller marshmallow arms on instead. Use the squeezy tubes of coloured icing to give your snowmen faces – you could use black for the eyes, mouth and coal buttons, orange for a nose and pink for rosy cheeks. Once everything has dried, either draw a scarf on…

Christmas is finally here! The Week Junior team got into the festive spirit last week by sharing several mince pies, some mini chocolate logs and satsumas galore in the office, as we put together the final two issues of the year. Not everyone, however, likes these festive treats – our writer Ciaran, in particular, can’t stand mince pies. He’d probably agree with this issue’s Big debate question that it’s time to throw out traditional festive food and introduce something new. What do you think? Are you looking forward to a big turkey and Christmas pud? Or do you secretly – or not so secretly – loathe Brussels sprouts and mince pies? Make sure you let us know by taking part in our poll. Meanwhile, this issue…

“On my way to the park I noticed that an old, broken tree has been cut down and its stump beautifully cut into a dog shape. I love the idea! I hope that this will be a new trend to make tree stumps more attractive.” Julia “I captured the magnificent setting of my school, Ampleforth Abbey & College, which sits in 2,200 acres in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside.” Ethan “The countdown to Christmas has begun! So I started decorating the Christmas tree with loads of shiny baubles.” Gian…