Jasmin K. Williams
The Archive
CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK
Just like most of the world, we're in full holiday mode. There's nothing like Christmas in New York City. Christmas is the religious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ....
NEW NETHERLANDS BECOMES NEW YORK
The Dutch controlled the Hudson Valley for a little more than 50 years, but their influence can still be seen today. Soon after English explorer Henry Hudson found the Hudson...
EDISON LIGHTS THE CITY
New York History Edition There was something strange and wonderful happening at 257 Pearl St. in lower Manhattan, the result of which would change the city and the world forever....
NEW YORK HISTORY
The firemen really had their hands full on Dec. 16, 1835, when a raging fire left the city's business district in ruins. Read about the most destructive fire in New...
HALLOWEEN OUR FAVORITE SPOOKY CELEBRATION
Halloween is a unique celebration, a patchwork of the occult, religion, paganism and tradition. Here's how it got started. Halloween began as an ancient festival practiced by Celtic tribes to...
MEET SOUTH AMERICA'S SPECTACLED BEAR
Today's page looks at a bear that makes its home in the Andes mountains of South America. THE Andean, or spectacled, bear is a small black bear with cream-colored facial...
THE ADVENTURES OF FREDDY THE FLY RIVER TURTLE
Freddie is a Bronx Zoo favorite. This past July, he turned the big 5-0. Freddy the Fly River turtle is a favorite resident at the Bronx Zoo. He's a half-century...
CLASSROOM EXTRA
Whatever happened to the art of debate? It only makes headlines during presidential elections. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama will soon square off in their own battle of words....
MEET THE VEEPS
The first important decision that a presidential candidate makes is his or her choice of a running mate. Today's page looks at a few notable vice presidents who went on...
SANDWICHES - OUR FAVORITE ON-THE-GO MEAL
You probably eat plenty of these for lunch during the school year. Here's a look at one of our favorite midday treats. We all love sandwiches. Our favorite yummy filling...
CLASSROOM EXTRA
The warm colors of autumn leaves get us ready for winter's chill. Pull up a blanket and see how. Today, we officially say good-bye to summer and hello to autumn....
THE ESSENTIAL THESAURUS
Today's page looks at the indispensable thesaurus and the man who created it. Have you ever found yourself writing an essay or school report, or just sending an e-mail to...
THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY HUDSON
New York History Edition Just what does one have to do to get a river named after him? Henry Hudson knew. Read on to see how this famous navigator earned...
MADAGASCAR'S HISSING COCKROACHES
Roaches get a bad rap. They are a common, albeit unwelcome, sight. They seriously outnumber us humans. The ones we see are usually the Asian or German varieties, or those...
DR. BARBARA ANN TEER -- A LIFE LIVED "FREE, OPEN AND BLACK'
On July 21, 2008, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, founder of Harlem's esteemed National Black Theatre Workshop, passed away at the age of 71. The theater lost its founder, and Harlem...
CLASSROOM EXTRA
Long before we lived here, New York State was home to the powerful Iroquois. Today's Classroom Extra takes a look at this Native American nation, which formed a powerful confederacy....
HEALTHY LIVING EDITION
Mom is right when she says "Eat your vegetables." It's never too early to start good eating habits. Today's lesson will help you focus on following a healthful diet. WE'VE...
SCHOOL DAYS IN GERMANY
Today's page looks at the school life of students in Germany.If you're like most students, you dread the first day of school. But in Germany, the first day of school...
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Today's page looks at a day in the life of students in China. So you think you have a long school day and way too much homework? If you were...
CLASSROOM EXTRA
How would you like to start your school year in January, take Saturday classes, or have two-hour lunch breaks? Students all over the world face their own unique challenges but...