Read & Explore 92: Kid Inventor

Have you ever heard about the Makin’ Bacon dish? Do you know who invented it? A kid named Abbey Fleck did it! Abbey Fleck was eight years old. She and her dad were cooking bacon. Then the paper towels ran out. How could they drain off the fat?

Abbey got an idea. A little rack might hold bacon up as it cooked. A tray below would catch the fat. Abbey tried hard. Soon she made her idea work. She called it the “Makin’ Bacon” dish.

Activities:

1. What problem did Abbey Fleck solve? How did she solve the problem? Do you have any other ideas to solve that problem? Discuss with your partners in simple English.

2. How did Abbey Fleck become an inventor? Kids like you are full of imagination. Have you ever thought that you can become an inventor, too? Watch the videos to see more outstanding kid inventors.

Read & Explore 91: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was a brave woman. She grew up as a slave in Maryland. As an adult, she escaped north to Pennsylvania. Tubman returned to Maryland to help rescue her family. She returned many times to help other slaves. She guided slaves to safety along a network known as the Underground Railroad. People who helped slaves move to freedom were called “conductors.” They were named after the people who controlled trains on railroads. In 1861, the United States began fighting the Civil War. This was a struggle between northern and southern states, partly over whether people should be allowed to own slaves. President Abraham Lincoln signed a law in 1863. The law stated that slavery was no longer allowed in the United States. With the law on her side, Tubman continued for many years to help people who were treated unfairly.

Activities:

1. According to this passage, how many years ago did the United States begin fighting the Civil War?

2. What does this passage tell you about Harriet Tubman? Watch the video to learn more about her. Then retell her story to your pals in your own words.