montly nes · bacteria from polyurethane-eating bacteria, the researchers transferred the bacteria...

Monthly News

© 2020 Classroom Ready. All rights reserved.

British ColuMBia

MAy 2020www.classroomready.comFOR GRADES 5, 6 & 7

British ColumBia NatioNal iNtErNatioNal

ENViroNmENt FEaturE ProFilE

1 2 3

4 5 11

School at Home

The Bacteria that Snacks on Plastic

Celebrating Queen Victoria

Discovering Iceland

Closing the U.S.-Canada Border

The Tokyo Olympics


BritishColumBiaEDitioN•lEvEl1 ClassroomrEaDYmoNthlYNEWs•maY2020

ii

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1

WORD POWER

VIRTUAL: Existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES: A service that is vital to people during a crisis, such as hospitals, police, and grocery stores.

When spring break ended, it was time to go back to school.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) are not going to class, but are learning while staying at home. The B.C. government cancelled classes at all public schools on March 17.

After taking time to come up with solutions, school districts and teachers announced the reopening of classes in early-to-mid April. The plan is for teachers to deliver lessons electronically.

A key tool for doing this is an app called Zoom. B.C.’s ministry of education obtained licenses of Zoom for use by all schools in the province. Using the app, teachers can create virtual classrooms. Students and teachers interact with each other by live video, audio, chat messaging, and screen sharing.

Teachers are also posting

things like video lessons, homework assignments, and learning instructions online. Students watch the lessons, ask questions, and submit their homework through email and online sites.

The B.C. government also launched a website called Keep Learning BC on March 27. This is a central place where families can find ideas for everyday educational activities, and links to free learning resources.

There are challenges. Students are missing out the chance to meet and hang out with friends. Also, distance learning puts a lot more pressure on parents. Many parents are still working in essential services or are working from home. They will need to find time during the day to help their children follow the lessons.

As well, not everyone has good online access. Some

school districts may loan computer equipment or devices to support students while they learn from home.

It is unknown when or if students will return to regular classes this year. The government says that all students who were on track to pass this school year will move on to the next grade in September.

B.C. has about 500,000 students in K to 12.

did you KNoW?

School at HomeBritish ColumBia



2

WORD POWERWORD POWER

UN-MILITARIzEd: Not defended using soldiers, tanks, and other military equipment.

VITAL: Very important or absolutely necessary.

The longest un-militarized international border in the world between

Canada and the United States is 8,891 kilometres long. Calling the border un-militarized is a way of highlighting the fact that Canada and the United States have very friendly relations with each other.

We are important trade partners. More than $718 billion in goods and services crossed the border in 2018. This trade is almost equal. Canada imported $363.8 billion in goods and services from the U.S. while the U.S. imported $354.7 billion from Canada. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trade partner, and Canada is America’s third-largest trade partner.

Goods and services cross the U.S.-Canada border in cars, trucks, trains, pipelines, airplanes, and ships. As a result, the border is a vital economic link for both nations.

On March 20, the border was

closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in both nations.

Under normal circumstances, around 200,000 people cross the border every day. These include travellers visiting the other side to shop, visit friends, or take a vacation. It also includes truck drivers and train operators that bring goods to each side. As well, there are thousands of people who cross the border to work at jobs in nearby cities on the other side.

With the border closing, only essential traffic is being allowed. People just visiting to shop or take a vacation are no longer allowed to cross, although trucks carrying goods are still allowed to cross. This is important as Canada depends on the U.S. for much of its food supply, while the U.S. depends on Canada for many resources, like wood and oil. Both sides depend on each other for making things like medicines

and medical supplies.Essential workers are also

allowed to cross. Many doctors and nurses living in Canada cross over to work in hospitals and clinics in the United States.

The Canada-U.S. border was first established in 1783—at the end of the American Revolutionary War. During that war, the United States gained independence from Great Britain. Canada remained a part of Britain until its own independence in 1867.

did you KNoW?

Closing the U.S.-Canada Border

NatioNal



3

WORD POWER

COMPETITION: The act of competing or being a rival.

OPENING CEREMONIES: A celebratory event where the host nation shows off its culture and history. The event also marks the official start of the Olympic Games.

dEFINITE: Certain or positive.

The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan. The

Olympics is an event where the best athletes from around the world compete in a variety of sports to try to win gold, silver, and bronze medals. They also join together to show that people of different countries can get along in a spirit of friendly competition.

The Summer Olympic Games are held every four years. Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics, but the Games won’t be held in 2020.

In late March, it was announced that the Games will be postponed exactly one year. It is the first time in history the Olympics have been postponed. The Games have been cancelled three times due to war.

The Opening Ceremonies will now occur on July 23, 2021. This will be followed by two weeks of competition in

sports ranging from cycling, swimming, and track & field to soccer, basketball, and gymnastics.

Japanese organizers had indicated earlier this year they were almost ready. Many venues have been completed well ahead of schedule.

Athletes say that choosing a definite new date, one year later, is a good decision. Many athletes have had limited opportunity to train due to social distancing rules. They want to have their best performance during the competition. Having a specific target date will enable athletes to do this.

The delay will also allow some athletes time needed to qualify for the Games. Many sports require that athletes and teams achieve a certain performance level before being invited to the Olympics. For example, runners might need to beat a certain race

time. With many qualifying events being cancelled this spring, these athletes haven’t had a chance to qualify. A one-year delay could give them the time they need.

Tokyo had also been scheduled to host the Summer Olympics in 1940. These games were cancelled because of the Second World War. Tokyo later hosted the Summer Games in 1964.

did you KNoW?

The Tokyo Olympics

iNtErNatioNal



4

WORD POWERWORD POWER

BIOdEGRAdE: To break down or decompose something by way of bacteria or other living organisms.

ENzyMES: Protein molecules that are used by cells to create chemical reactions in the body.MOLECULE: A group of atoms that make

up the smallest particles that make up a substance.SOLUTION: A mixture that is formed by dissolving something in a liquid.

A new form of bacteria was recently discovered that can eat one of the

toughest, most toxic forms of plastic. Researchers said that it could bring them a step closer to being able to biodegrade plastic waste.

Plastic waste is a huge problem. It is difficult to recycle because there are so many different types of plastic. Plastic is also made of compounds that are designed to last, so it does not break down in landfills.

Scientists have discovered bacteria that eat a type of plastic called “PET.” These bacteria release enzymes that break down plastic to get carbon and energy from it. When the plastic breaks down, the chemical structure of the plastic changes and it can begin to decompose.

One difficulty is that bacteria known to eat PET are unable to consume a type of

plastic called “polyurethane,” which is found in building materials, shoes, water bottles, and diapers. Polyurethane is a tougher type of plastic.

The molecules in polyurethane are too large for most bacteria to break down. When it does start to break down, polyurethane releases chemicals that are too toxic even for bacteria.

Researchers in Germany have identified a strain of bacteria that might be able to eat polyurethane. They took three soil samples from a site with plenty of plastic waste. They made a solution with the soil and put the solution on dishes where bacteria from the soil samples could grow for five days.

To separate regular bacteria from polyurethane-eating bacteria, the researchers transferred the bacteria to new dishes that

had polyurethane as the only source of carbon and identified the bacteria that ate the polyurethane.

This study provides some hope that, one day, plastic waste could be biodegraded with the help of scientists.

Over 300,000,000 tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year.

did you KNoW?

The Bacteria that Snacks on Plastic

ENViroNmENt



5

WORD POWER

ERA: A time period in history marked by a particular characteristic.

INdUSTRIALIzATION: The process of changing a nation’s economy from agricultural to manufacturing.

CANNON SALUTES: Firing cannons to pay military respect to someone or something.

In Canada, Victoria Day celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday. It happens on the

last Monday before May 25 and many people look forward to the long weekend it creates.

In 1837, Victoria was 18 years old when she became queen. She was the Queen of England for 63 years. The period of her reign became known as the Victorian era, and it was a time of great industrialization and progress.

Queen Victoria was very important when Canada was formed. She helped the provinces join together to form Canada and she helped with selecting Ottawa as our capital city. She never visited Canada, but five of her nine children spent time here.

The Canadian Parliament established Victoria Day as a holiday in 1845. In 1957, it was also declared the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II,

who is the Queen of England today.

Canada has celebrated this holiday since 1845, although it is not observed in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. In Quebec, the day was renamed as National Patriot’s Day.

In 1845, Victoria Day was marked with activities that included picnics, parades, sporting tournaments, fireworks, and cannon salutes. Some communities still enjoy concerts, parades, and sporting events, but the holiday is often marked by most shops and organizations closing for the day.

Many people see the Victoria Day long weekend as the beginning of summer and use it as an opportunity for outdoor barbecues, festivals, camping, and vacations away at their cabins. Even though summer is still a

month away, summer parks and outdoor restaurants choose this holiday as their opening day.

B.C.’s capital city, Victoria, is named after Queen Victoria. Many people do not know that there is another city named after her: Regina, Saskatchewan.

did you KNoW?

Celebrating Queen Victoria

FEaturE



6

Monthly News Q & A

British ColumBia

School at Home1. What happened on March 17?

2. When were classes reopened?

3. What is a key tool for teachers to deliver lessons electronically?

4. What else are teachers doing?

5. What are some of the challenges?

CritiCal thinking

1. How are you finding the new way of learning? What is working? What isn’t working?



7

Monthly News Q & A

NatioNal

Closing the U.S.-Canada Border1. How long is our border with the U.S.?

2. How much trade crossed this border in 2018?

3. How do goods and services cross the border?

4. How many people cross the border every day?

5. Why do people cross the border?

CritiCal thinking

1. How often have you travelled into the United States? Outline the similarities and differences between the two countries.



8

Monthly News Q & A

iNtErNatioNal

The Tokyo Olympics1. Where will the next summer Olympic Games be held?

2. What is the Olympics?

3. What was announced in late March? When will the 2020 Olympics be held?

4. Is Japan ready to host the Olympics?

5. Why do athletes say that choosing a definite new date, one year later, is a good decision?

CritiCal thinking

1. What makes the Olympic Games so special?



9

Monthly News Q & A

ENViroNmENt

The Bacteria that Snacks on Plastic1. Why is plastic waste a huge problem?

2. How do bacteria eat PET?

3. Why is polyurethane more difficult for bacteria to eat?

4. How did the researchers grow bacteria?

5. How did they find polyurethane-eating bacteria?

CritiCal thinking

1. What are your thoughts on plastic-eating bacteria?



10

Monthly News Q & A

FEaturE

Celebrating Queen Victoria1. When does Victoria Day happen?

2. When did Victoria become queen? How long was she queen?

3. Why is Queen Victoria important to Canada?

4. How is Victoria Day celebrated?

5. How do many people see Victoria Day?

CritiCal thinking

1. Do you think Queen Victoria was an important influence? Explain your answer.



11

discovering Iceland

Iceland is an island country that lies between North America and Europe. It is bordered by the Greenland Sea in the north, the Norwegian Sea in the east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west and

south. Because it is located close to the Arctic Circle, its geography contains ice glaciers and cooled lava from its 200 volcanoes.

Iceland’s capital city is Reykjavík. The official language of the country is Icelandic, a language descended from Old Norse. Even though much of the population speaks modern Icelandic, many can read in Old Norse.

The land now known as Iceland was first discovered by a Viking called Naddod. He discovered the island by accident when he got lost on his way from Norway to the Faroe Islands. Iceland was settled only 1000 years ago. The earliest settlers were Viking explorers of Norse and Celtic heritage (from Norway and Scotland). The settlers first worshipped the Norse gods, until Norwegian missionaries brought Christianity to Iceland.

In the Middle Ages, the Icelandic Commonwealth was established and lasted until the 13th century. After that, Iceland was ruled by several different outside powers, including the Norwegian and Danish kingdoms. It was only in the 1900s that Iceland was able to gain independence. In 1944, it became a republic. Iceland has a president as the head of state, and he or she is elected every four years.

Today, the population is mainly Icelandic with a small number of Polish, Asian, and Lithuanian immigrants. Many live in coastal towns and villages because of their access to fishing ports.

Iceland’s economy is mostly supported by the fishing industry, but declining fish stocks over the years has caused the government to put limits on fish catches. The power industry also plays an important role in the economy, thanks to Iceland’s huge resources in generating hydroelectric power.

Long form of name:

Continent:

Total Area:

Population:

Official Language(s):

Capital City:

Chief of State:

National Anthem:

Currency:

Republic of Iceland

Europe

103,000 square kilometres

350,734

Icelandic

Reykjavík

President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson

“Lofsongur” (Song of Praise)

Icelandic krona



12

1. What is Iceland’s official language?

2. How was Iceland first discovered?

3. What industries contribute to Iceland’s economy?

discovering iceland

UNITED KINGDOM

SWEDEN

POLAND

NORWAY

NETHERLANDS

IRELAND

ICELAND

GERMANY

FINLAND

DENMARK

Norwegian Sea

North Sea

Reykjavik

AtlanticOcean



13

Below is a list of the 10 longest borders in the world.

BORdER LENGTHCanada-USA 8891 kmRussia-Kazakhstan 6846 kmArgentina-Chile 5300 kmMongolia-China 4677 kmIndia-Bangladesh 4053 kmRussia-China 3645 kmRussia-Mongolia 3543 kmBrazil-Bolivia 3423 kmChina-India 3380 kmUSA-Mexico 3145 km

1. How long is the border between India and Bangladesh?

2. How long is the border between the USA and Mexico?

3. Which border is 3645 kilometres long?

4. Which border is 3423 kilometres long?

5. How much longer is the Canada-USA border than the next longest border?

Border Counts



14

Political CartoonA political cartoon uses images to exaggerate an opinion, often in a humorous way. The main purpose of the cartoon is to show you the artist’s point of view on a situation.

For each element in the image above, write a point or two about the element or how it relates to the rest of the image.

1. The people on the left

2. The man on the right

3. Put all of the elements together and explain in your own words what the cartoon is saying.



15

Map Activity: Germany1. Locate and label the following countries in capital letters:

GERMANYAUSTRIABELGIUMCROATIACZECH REPUBLICDENMARK

FRANCEHUNGARYLATVIALITHUANIALUXEMBOURGNETHERLANDS

POLANDSLOVAKIASLOVENIASWITZERLANDUNITED KINGDOM

2. Locate and label the following cities:BerlinAmsterdamBernBratislavaBrussels

BudapestCopenhagenLondonParisPrague

RigaViennaVilniusWarsaw

3. Locate and label the following bodies of salt water:Baltic Sea North Sea

4. Create a colour legend for your map with the following:Germany Other Countries Salt Water

5. draw and label the compass bearing.

6. Label your map:Germany and Neighbouring Countries



16

map activity: Germany



17

Looking at GermanyGermany is part of the continent of Europe. It borders the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, and south of Denmark. Germany is smaller than Newfoundland and Labrador at 357,022 square kilometres. Germany is located 51 degrees north of the equator, giving it a climate that is temperate. Germany has a population of 80,159,662 (July 2020 estimate) and a currency called the euro (EUR). It takes about 1.52 Canadian dollars to equal one euro.

Use the map and the information above to answer the following questions.

1. What is the area of Germany?

2. What is the population of Germany?

3. What is the capital city of Germany?

4. What is the currency used in Germany?

5. What colours are on the flag of Germany?

6. Which countries border Germany?

7. Colour the flag as follows:Three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold.



18

Monthly News QuizClosing the U.s.-Canada border1. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trade partner, and Canada is America’s third-largest trade partner.

True False

2. How much in goods and services crossed the border in 2018?

A. $360 billion B. $525 billion C. $718 billion

3. Under normal circumstances, around people cross the border every day.

the tokyo olympiCs1. Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics, but the Games won’t be held in 2020.

True False

2. How long will the Games be postponed?

A. One year B. Two years C. Three years

3. organizers had indicated earlier this year they were almost ready.

the baCteria that snaCks on plastiC1. Plastic is also made of compounds that are designed to last, so it breaks down in landfills.

True False

2. Polyurethane is a type of plastic.

A. Tougher B. Weaker C. Brittle

3. Researchers in have identified a strain of bacteria that might be able to eat polyurethane.



19

Monthly News Answer KeyBritish ColumBia 1

School at Home1. What happened on March 17?

The B.C. government cancelled classes at all public schools on March 17.

2. When were classes reopened?After taking time to come up with solutions, school districts and teachers announced the reopening of classes in early-to-mid April.

3. What is a key tool for teachers to deliver lessons electronically?A key tool for doing this is an app called Zoom. B.C.’s ministry of education obtained licenses of Zoom for use by all schools in the province. Using the app, teachers can create virtual classrooms. Students and teachers interact with each other by live video, audio, chat messaging, and screen sharing.

4. What else are teachers doing?Teachers are also posting things like video lessons, homework assignments, and learning instructions online. Students watch the lessons, ask questions, and submit their homework through email and online sites.

5. What are some of the challenges?Students are missing out the chance to meet and hang out with friends. Also, distance learning puts a lot more pressure on parents. Many parents are still working in essential services or are working from home. They will need to find time during the day to help their children follow the lessons. As well, not everyone has good online access. Some school districts may loan computer equipment or devices to support students while they learn from home.

NatioNal 2Closing the U.S.-Canada Border1. How long is our border with the U.S.?

The longest un-militarized international border in the world between Canada and the United States is 8,891 kilometres long.

2. How much trade crossed this border in 2018?More than $718 billion in goods and services crossed the border in 2018. This trade is almost equal. Canada imported $363.8 billion in goods and services from the U.S. while the U.S. imported $354.7 billion from Canada.

3. How do goods and services cross the border?Goods and services cross the U.S.-Canada border in cars, trucks, trains, pipelines, airplanes, and ships.

4. How many people cross the border every day?Under normal circumstances, around 200,000 people cross the border every day.

5. Why do people cross the border?These include travellers visiting the other side to shop, visit friends, or take a vacation. It also includes truck drivers and train operators that bring goods to each side. As well, there are thousands of people who cross the border to work at jobs in nearby cities on the other side.



20

Monthly News Answer Key

iNtErNatioNal 3The Tokyo Olympics1. Where will the next summer Olympic Games

be held?The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan.

2. What is the Olympics?The Olympics is an event where the best athletes from around the world compete in a variety of sports to try to win gold, silver, and bronze medals. They also join together to show that people of different countries can get along in a spirit of friendly competition.

3. What was announced in late March? When will the 2020 Olympics be held?In late March, it was announced that the Games will be postponed exactly one year. The Opening Ceremonies will now occur on July 23, 2021. This will be followed by two weeks of competition in sports ranging from cycling, swimming, and track & field to soccer, basketball, and gymnastics.

4. Is Japan ready to host the Olympics?Japanese organizers had indicated earlier this year they were almost ready. Many venues have been completed well ahead of schedule.

5. Why do athletes say that choosing a definite new date, one year later, is a good decision?Many athletes have had limited opportunity to train due to social distancing rules. They want to have their best performance during the competition. Having a specific target date will enable athletes to do this.

ENViroNmENt 4The Bacteria that Snacks on Plastic1. Why is plastic waste a huge problem?

It is difficult to recycle because there are so many different types of plastic. Plastic is also made of compounds that are designed to last, so it does not break down in landfills.

2. How do bacteria eat PET?These bacteria release enzymes that break down plastic to get carbon and energy from it. When the plastic breaks down, the chemical structure of the plastic changes and it can begin to decompose.

3. Why is polyurethane more difficult for bacteria to eat?The molecules in polyurethane are too large for most bacteria to break down. When it does start to break down, polyurethane releases chemicals that are too toxic even for bacteria.

4. How did the researchers grow bacteria?They took three soil samples from a site with plenty of plastic waste. They made a solution with the soil and put the solution on dishes where bacteria from the soil samples could grow for five days.

5. How did they find polyurethane-eating bacteria?To separate regular bacteria from polyurethane-eating bacteria, the researchers transferred the bacteria to new dishes that had polyurethane as the only source of carbon and identified the bacteria that ate the polyurethane.



21


FEaturE 5Celebrating Queen Victoria1. When does Victoria day happen?

It happens on the last Monday before May 25 and many people look forward to the long weekend it creates.

2. When did Victoria become queen? How long was she queen?In 1837, Victoria was 18 years old when she became queen. She was the Queen of England for 63 years.

3. Why is Queen Victoria important to Canada?Queen Victoria was very important when Canada was formed. She helped the provinces join together to form Canada and she helped with selecting Ottawa as our capital city.

4. How is Victoria day celebrated?In 1845, Victoria Day was marked with activities that included picnics, parades, sporting tournaments, fireworks, and cannon salutes. Some communities still enjoy concerts, parades, and sporting events, but the holiday is often marked by most shops and organizations closing for the day.

5. How do many people see Victoria day?Many people see the Victoria Day long weekend as the beginning of summer and use it as an opportunity for outdoor barbecues, festivals, camping, and vacations away at their cabins. Even though summer is still a month away, summer parks and outdoor restaurants choose this holiday as their opening day.

ProFilE 11discovering Iceland1. What is Iceland’s official language?

The official language of the country is Icelandic, a language descended from Old Norse. Even though much of the population speaks modern Icelandic, many can read in Old Norse.

2. How was Iceland first discovered?The land now known as Iceland was first discovered by a Viking called Naddod. He discovered the island by accident when he got lost on his way from Norway to the Faroe Islands.

3. What industries contribute t0 Iceland’s economy?Iceland’s economy is mostly supported by the fishing industry, but declining fish stocks over the years has caused the government to put limits on fish catches. The power industry also plays an important role in the economy, thanks to Iceland’s huge resources in generating hydroelectric power.

Border Counts (Page 13)

1. How long is the border between India and Bangladesh?4053 kilometres

2. How long is the border between the USA and Mexico?3145 kilometres

3. Which border is 3645 kilometres long?Russia-China

4. Which border is 3423 kilometres long?Brazil-Bolivia

5. How much longer is the Canada-USA border than the next longest border?



22


8893 – 6846 = 2045 kilometres

Political Cartoon (Page 14)

1. The people on the leftThe people on the left are athletes who are training for the Summer Olympic Games.

2. The man on the rightThe man on the right is holding a sign stating that the Olympics have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Put all of the elements together and explain in your own words what the cartoon is saying.The goal of athletes competing in the Olympics is to be faster, stronger, or be able to jump higher than their competition, or than their own previous best. Right now, the goal of everyone should be to be safer and smarter, which is why the Olympics is being postponed until later.

Monthly News Quiz (Page 18)

Closing the U.s.-Canada border

1. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trade partner, and Canada is America’s third-largest trade partner. True

2. How much in goods and services crossed the border in 2018?C. $718 billion

3. Under normal circumstances, around 200,000 people cross the border every day.

the tokyo olympiCs

1. Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics, but the Games won’t be held in 2020.True

2. How long will the Games be postponed?A. One year

3. JAPANESE organizers had indicated earlier this year they were almost ready.

the baCteria that snaCks on plastiC

1. Plastic is also made of compounds that are designed to last, so it breaks down in landfills.False – Does not break down

2. Polyurethane is a type of plastic.A. Tougher

3. Researchers in GERMANy have identified a strain of bacteria that might be able to eat polyurethane.



23


UNIT

EDKI

NGDO

M

SWIT

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AND

SLOV

ENIA

SLOV

AKIA

POLA

ND

NETH

ERLA

NDS

LUXE

MBO

URG

LITH

UANI

ALATV

IA

HUNG

ARY

GERM

ANY

FRAN

CE

DENM

ARK

CZEC

H RE

PUBL

IC

CROA

TIA

BELG

IUM

AUST

RIA

Amst

erda

mLo

ndon

Bern

War

saw

Viln

ius

Riga

Buda

pest

Berli

n

Paris

Prag

ue

Cope

nhag

en

Brus

sels

Brat

isla

vaVi

enna

Nor

th S

ea

Balti

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a

GERM

ANy

ANd

NEIG

HBOU

RING

COU

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montly nes · bacteria from polyurethane-eating bacteria, the researchers transferred the bacteria...

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