Monday, January 3, 20 05
Experience USA
TODAY
YOUR GUIDE TO THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS THAT SHAPE OUR WORLD
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D e v e l o p i n g
E v e n t
Aid reaches remote areas, News, 1/4A
What caused the tsunami off the island of
Sumatra? Which countries suffered the
most damage? According to the United
Nations, what could the death toll from
the tragedy be? How many people have
been left homeless by the disaster?
Activity: The 109th Congress
is both diverse and divided
(Social studies: Ind. develop ment and identity) page 2
• Office Depot ads take
care of business; •
Cadillac campaign based on the
need for speed; • Business
world shows it cares
Activity: Economy spurs some
to seek new jobs (Business:
Career development: Selfawareness) page 2
Visit USATODAY.com and read the article
entitled, America finds creative ways to aid victims. (See the address below.) Then, as
a class, devise your own unique fundraiser to help those devastated by the disaster.
www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-01-charity-tsunami_x.htm
C a r e e r
C o r n e r
USA TODAY Snapshots
Rams, Jets, Vikings in
playoffs; • Sugar,
Orange Bowl previews; • In
Focus: University of Oklahoma
Sooners; • Snapshot: Sugar
Bowl blowouts
Department of Defense handout
Aftermath: Trash and debris line the streets in
downtown Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Saturday, following a massive tsunami that struck the area
Dec. 26. A week after giant waves swamped
parts of the provincial capital, the water is only
just beginning to drain off to reveal the full
extent of the horrific destruction.
How is the U.S. military helping victims of
the tsunami? What was helicopter crewman David Loiselle’s impression of the
damage? What are the challenges of such
a massive relief effort? Do you agree with
Secretary of State Colin Powell, that the
U.S.’s response has been appropriate?
If you are not missing any
personal information, can you
still be a victim of ID theft?
Percentage that say you can’t, by income:
30.5%
Activity: Smith, Utah clearly
state case (Language arts:
Evaluation strategies) page 3
13.8%
ESOL
Connections
Skim
today’s “Across
the USA” page on 11A.
Find a state name with
which you are unfamiliar. Then, using an ency-
• ‘Idol’ will adjust its
winning formula; •
Dieters face largest leap; •
2004’s box office rings up as
No. 2 of all time
6.6%
clopedia or the Internet,
3.0%
Less than
$25,000
$25,000 to
$49,000
$50,000 to
$74,000
More than
$74,000
Source: American Express ID theft quiz of 1,007
respondents. Margin of error ±3 percentage points.
By Darryl Haralson and Marcy E. Mullins, USA TODAY
Activity: ‘Passion,’ ‘Fahrenheit’
define the year in movies
(Language arts: Applying language skills) page 3
What is identity theft? How do thieves steal a person’s identity — e.g., name, Social Security number, credit card number, passport, etc.? How does
identity theft negatively affect individuals?
find out three interest-
ing facts about the state.
Share your information
with a peer.
E x p e r i e n c e U S A T O DAY
Monday, January 3, 20 05 q Page 2
T he 109th Cong
ress is
diverse and div
ided, 1A
STANDA RD: So
cial studies: In
dividual developm
DISCUSSION: On
ent and identity
what issues do lib
erals and conser
have starkly diffe
vatives
rent opinions? W
hich group best
your values? Do
re
flects
you agree with
incoming senato
McHenry that Pr
r Patrick
esident Bush’s re
-election is “a m
conservative chan
andate for
ge”? Why are Co
ngressional Dem
a “formidable op
oc
rats still
position” despite
the decrease in th
bers? What are Bu
ei
r numsh’s primar y legisla
tive goals?
AC TIVI TY: In th
e article, Barack
Obama, D-Ill., an
Thune, R-S.D., iden
d John
tified places in th
eir states that each
like the other man
would
to visit. The scenes
they cited are indi
of the views they
cative
hold. Imagine th
at you had to ex
views to someone
plain your
on the opposite
end of the politic
trum. Identify th
al specree places or scen
es in your state th
trate your beliefs
at illus. Explain each ch
oice in writing.
W
I
S
E
RD
TES T
PR EP
Define the following
words as used in
the article:
Economy spurs some
to seek new jobs,
Money, 1B
1. incremental
2. exodus
3. anemic
4. median
5. tenure
3. weak; listless; lacking
vitality or power
2. departure, usually of a
large number of people
1. gradual; by degrees
ANSWERS:
not be entering the work
ACT IVI TY: Even though you may
n to think about the types
force for awhile, it’s not too soo
hs and interests. Richard
of jobs that fit your unique strengt
er manual What Color Is
Bolles, author of the popular care
your “enthusiasms” — the
Your Parachute?, suggests listing
ks, movies, etc. that you
kinds of people, activities, boo
s on paper. Then, based on
enjoy. Jot down your enthusiasm
work environments that
your preferences, cite thre e
you should avoid. Briefly
would suit you and three that
.
explain your decisions in writing
4. the middle number in a
given sequence of numbers
half of U.S. companies
DISCUSSION: Why are nearly
coming year? What facexpected to lose employees in the
s to look for new jobs?
tors are motivating many worker
employees happy?
How can businesses keep their
5. the length of time a job
is occupied
lopment: Self-awareness
STA NDA RD: Business: Career deve
6. produced; brought about
Economy spurs some to
seek new jobs, 1B
6. wrought
E x p e r i e n c e U S A T O DAY
Monday, January 3, 20 05 q Page 3
This Day In History
clearly
QB Smith, Utah
state case, 13C
ion strategies
uage arts: Evaluat
STANDARD: Lang
quarterback Alex
ion is Utah Utes
cis
de
t
ha
W
N:
lem”? How did
DISCUSSIO
is it a “golden prob
hy
W
g?
in
at
pl
s system is
Smith contem
ampionship Serie
Ch
l
w
Bo
e
th
at
the Utes prove th
e team’s season?
best describes th
e
iv
ct
je
ad
t
ha
W
flawed?
id, “Individual
nce Lombardi’s sa
Vi
nd
ge
le
ll
ba
ot
akes a team
AC TIVI TY: Fo
— that is what m
rt
fo
ef
p
ou
gr
a
ork.”*
commitment to
k, a civilization w
or
w
y
et
ci
so
a
k,
wor
l on 13C. Next,
work, a company
of the Rose Bow
ge
ra
ve
co
f
ie
br
se Bowl — best
Read the
Fiesta or the Ro
e
th
—
e
m
ga
in writing.
decide which
plain your choice
Ex
e.
ot
qu
i’s
rd
ba
ion that
exemplifies Lom
today’s News sect
in
le
tic
ar
an
d
fin
Then, attempt to
wisdom.
is
th
es
at
lombardi.com
also illustr
rce: www.vince
*Sou
January 3
q In 1521, Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.
q In 1868, the Meiji Restoration re-established the authority of Japan’s emperor and
heralded the fall of the military rulers known
as "shoguns."
q In 1938, the "March of Dimes" campaign to
fight polio was organized.
q In 1959, President Eisenhower signed a
proclamation admitting Alaska to the Union
as the 49th state.
q In 1961, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba.
‘Passion,’ ‘Fahre
nheit’
define the year
in
movies, 5D
STANDA RD: La
nguage arts: Appl
ying
language skills
DISCUSSION: W
hat political schism
did the films Fahr
9/11 and The Pass
enheit
ion of the Christ ill
ustrate? Why did
flock to each mov
viewers
ie? What other ki
nds of films were
with Americans
popular
this year? Why do
you think epics fa
attract big audien
iled to
ces? What impa
ct did smaller m
Napoleon Dynam
ov
ies like
ite have on the in
dustry?
AC TIVI TY: Film
industry insider Br
andon Gray says
ple went to see Th
that peoe Passion of the Ch
rist “to vote for th
losophy.” Identify
at phia movie that em
bodies a philoso
hold dear. In writ
phy you
ing, define the ph
ilosophy and desc
elements in the m
ribe five
ovie that suppor
t it.
q In 1967, Jack Ruby, the man who shot
accused presidential assassin Lee Harvey
Oswald, died in a Dallas hospital.
q In 1980, conservationist Joy Adamson,
author of Born Free, was killed in northern
Kenya by a servant.
q In 1993, President Bush and Russian
President Boris Yeltsin signed a historic
nuclear missile-reduction treaty in Moscow.
q In 1995, the last new daily Peanuts strip by
Charles Schulz ran in 2,600 newspapers.
q In 2004, NASA’s Mars rover, Spirit, touched
down on Mars.
Imagine that you are a magazine editor
who is choosing 10 photos about 2004 for
an upcoming retrospective. Decide what
events, accomplishments and people
def ine d the year. T hen, desc r ib e (or
locate) the photos you would use. In
wr iting, explain why you chose each
picture and which one would appear on
the magazine’s cover.
E x p e r i e n c e U S A T O DAY
Monday, January 3, 20 05 q Page 4
Community & Family
EXTRA CREDIT !
Student Challenge on ...
Business world shows it cares, Money, 1B
How are U.S. corporations
contributing to the tsunami relief
effort? According to the article,
why has corporate response to
the tragedy been so strong? Why
is it unwise for a company to promote its own charitable actions?
Do you believe that acts of altruism should be anonymous?
How has your community
responded to the disaster in
Asia? Overall, how would you
describe the world’s efforts to
help the victims? Judging from
the news coverage you have
seen, is the U.S. government
doing its part?
In what way does tragedy
bring out both the best and
worst in human nature? Has the
event changed your perspective
in any way? Explain.
Money Matters
USA TODAY Snapshots™
Parents support fundraising
Many kids raise money for their school or extracurriculars (sports teams, clubs, Scout groups).
Percentage of parents who:
Always donate
Only buy items if
or buy items
they want them
36%
29%
Only donate
to certain
organizations
23%
It depends
Athletes’ Salaries
OBJECTIVES
P r oj e c t - B a s e d
Students groups will:
ugather information about player salaries in one of
the four major professional sports.
uidentify and explain the factors that have contributed to salary growth.
ustate and defend a position on the appropriateness of
professional athletes’ salaries.
upresent their conclusions to peers.
Week 1
ch
Resear
L ear ning
I N S T R U C T I O N S : The average NBA salary in 2003
was 4.9 million; the average baseball salary was $2.37 million; the average NFL salary was $1.25 million. Over the
past 40 years, professional sports has grown economically
and in popularity. There are more teams, more players and
longer seasons. Television has contributed to the transformation of professional sports and to its economic impact
on individuals, communities and the nation as a whole.
The four major professional sports — baseball, football,
basketball, and hockey — have seen player salaries and
team revenues increase dramatically over this period of
time. Some people argue that salaries have reached unacceptable heights. Others believe that players’ earnings are
fair compensation for the demands of pro sports and the
talent and training required to play them. The purpose of
this project is to research the growth of athletes’ salaries in
one of the four major professional sports and defend a
position on whether these salaries are too high.
During this week you should research and gather as
much information as you can about the salaries of players in one of the four major professional sports. Peruse
USA TODAY’s salary databases (see addresses listed
below) and other sources for information on pro athletes’ salaries now and in past decades. Then, research
the earnings of five other occupations, that in your
opinion, require skills or training comparable to an athlete’s. (See the Department of Labor’s Occupational
Outlook Handbook at the link below.) Record your
data and reflections, and discuss them as a group.
Baseball:
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/default.aspx
Football:
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/default.aspx
Basketball:
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/salaries/default.aspx
Hockey:
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/salaries/default.aspx
Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
STANDARDS
This project meets the
following national standards for middle and
high school:
Economics: Role of
Resources
in
Determining Income
(Students understand
that) income for most
people is determined by
the market value of the
productive resources
they sell. What workers
earn depends, primarily,
on the market value of
what they produce and
how productive they
are. (NCEE)
Language
Arts:
Evaluating
Data
Students
conduct
research on issues and
interests by generating
ideas and questions, and
by posing problems.
They gather, evaluate,
and synthesize data
from a variety of sources
(e.g., print and nonprint
texts, artifacts, people)
to communicate their
discoveries in ways that
suit their purpose and
audience. (NCTE)
3%
Never buy items
or donate
9%
Source: TNS
Express Telephone Omnibus
By Justin Dickerson and Marcy E. Mullins, USA TODAY
APPLICATIONS: knowledge, economics
Based on the percentages in the
Snapshot, how supportive are parents
of school fundraisers? Have you ever
participated in a fundraiser? If so, for
what purpose?
The goal of fundraisers is just that: to
raise money for specific events, causes
or items. Schools hold fundraisers
because many sports, extracurricular
activities and other clubs and programs
are not adequately funded by the school
budget. In short, fundraisers provide
programs, complete projects and meet
other goals as set by school administrators, teachers, parents and students.
As a class, discuss the pros and cons
of fundraisers. What business and ethical lessons do they teach students? How
do fundraisers impact school funding
from state and local sources? Overall,
do you see fundraising as a worthwhile
or burdensome endeavor? Explain.
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