Kids News - Articles for Grades 4-5

Minister, saint, hero, civil rights activist - These are the words often used to describe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - However, in light of President Barack Obama's second-term inauguration ceremony this morning, the word that seems to fit the bill perfectly, is visionary - The man who had the foresight to see that America could one day transform into a nation where everyone is equal, regardless of race, color or creed. So who was this amazing man that single handedly spearheaded America's civil rights movement?...

Sweden has to be one of the coolest places for a kid to grow up in - First, they introduced the concept of schools with no grades or classrooms, then came Monstrum's amazing playgrounds and now, the coolest idea of all - 'Forcing' 13-year-olds to play Minecraft as part of the classroom curriculum....

Well, it's official - The world did not end today! But amongst all the hoopla surrounding the rumored demise, the one significant event that you may have missed is that today also happens to be the first day of winter for people living in the Northern Hemisphere. Of course, the opposite is true for those living in the Southern Hemisphere who, are celebrating their first day of summer....

Most hotels are lucky if they go through one or two renovations during their lifetime. However this hotel in the tiny village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden gets a complete makeover every year because believe it or not, it is carved entirely from Ice blocks lugged in from the nearby Torne River. What's even more stunning is that the hotel gets increasingly fabulous each year!...

While everything about the 2012 Summer Olympics was mesmerizing, some moments will forever be etched in our minds - Oscar Pistorius running on his carbon fiber legs, Michael Phelps celebrating his final swim and most of all, US silver medalist McKayla Maroney, scowling in disappointment!...

If you are a little worn out by all the Halloween festivities this week then you are in luck. That's because this weekend is 'Fall Back', which means that on Sunday, November 4th, most North Americans will add an extra hour to their day by simply moving the clock back. This age-old tradition that dates all the way back to World War One, is observed in other parts of the world too - However, the date differs, with most changing their clocks about a month earlier....

On Sunday October 14th, over eight million people tuned in to YouTube to watch Felix Baumgartner as he attempted his historic leap, from the edge of Space - And they were not disappointed. Not only did the 43-year old daredevil complete the jump as planned, at the end of the epic event, he simply got up and walked over to greet his cheering fans....

Right about now, thousands of Monarch butterflies are beginning to make their way from North America's colder regions to their winter homes in California and Mexico, where they will spend the season hibernating, before heading back in early spring next year. This round-trip, which in some cases spans about 2,000 miles each way and can take as long as two months, is unique and fascinating for a number of reasons....

How long can you resist a marshmallow? For a minute, maybe two - How about 20 minutes? Believe it or not, the answer to that simple question, could shape your entire future - At least that, is the conclusion reached by University of Stanford scientist Walter Mischel the brainchild behind the now legendary 'Stanford Marshmallow' test....