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Action features contests to get your students excited about writing. “I haven’t had any negative things happen on that island.”. Haven't signed into your Scholastic account before? So much more than a magazine, Scope provides leveled resources that make it easy to differentiate instruction while using the same reading material.” In real life we may not be able to gather in large groups, but in Animal Crossing, groups all over America held virtual backyard barbecues, birthday parties, graduation ceremonies, and even weddings. Two nonfiction articles explore how games can help us through difficult times. In the mid-1900s, polio was one of the most feared diseases in the U.S., with major outbreaks occurring every summer. Three little league players visit with two young children recovering from polio in a hospital in New York in 1955. But despite the joy that games like Animal Crossing can bring us, experts agree that playing video games shouldn’t be the only thing you do to cope during a tough time. Optionally, have students listen to author Talia Cowen read the article while they follow along. Figurative language: rhetorical questions, metaphor. Abbott, who was a teacher, decided the kids needed something to do, something that would take their minds off their illness and relieve their boredom. In fact, we weren’t supposed to leave our homes for much of anything. Players moved along a winding path of colored squares, picking cards to see which color to move to next. Many of us binged TV shows and movies. Angelina’s friends Phoebe, Whitney, Tia, and Prince are, respectively, an ostrich, a fox, an elephant, and a frog. Without computers, smartphones, or the internet, kids couldn’t keep in touch with friends the way they can today. As Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist who studies gaming, explains, “Games are great at fixing our mood and reducing our stress and anxiety.” That’s because when we play, our brains release feel-good chemicals called endorphins. You are being redirecting to Scholastic's authentication page... Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Action magazine. Subscribers receive access to the website and print magazine. We couldn’t go to school or soccer. Many parents purchased Candy Land to keep their children’s boredom at bay. Experts recommend limiting yourself to an hour or less a day. “Animal Crossing is so simple and nice,” says Sophie Keil, 14, from Granada Hills, California. Two fascinating nonfiction articles explore how games can help us through difficult times. Angelina’s friends Phoebe, Whitney, Tia, and Prince are, respectively, an ostrich, a fox, an elephant, and a frog. One reason is that games—whether it’s Animal Crossing, hide-and-seek, or Clue—can make us feel better. Discuss the following close-reading and critical-thinking questions, some of which draw on both articles. There is another aspect of Animal Crossing that brought players comfort: You can play it with other people. “I’m happy there,” she says. Across the front of its box, in cheery, looping script, was the game’s slogan: “A sweet little game for sweet little folks.”. Others perfected dozens of  TikTok dances. In our delightful video, Jason Reynolds takes you through the process of writing a short story and provides tips on character development, revision, and more! Post this prompt in your classroom or virtual hangout: Share Vocabulary: Words and Definitions (available in your. Eleanor Abbott would surely be pleased to know that her “sweet little game” has delighted so many generations of children. This success isn’t so surprising when you think about what was happening last March. But even as people start drifting away from their virtual villages and back into their real neighborhoods, Animal Crossing will be remembered as more than a fad. From 1916 until the early 1950s, outbreaks of polio led to the closure of many swimming pools, beaches, parks, and other places where people gathered. They could visit a world where the worst thing that could happen was to get stuck in the Molasses Swamp for a turn or two. And so she invented a game set in an enchanting, imaginary world made of candy—a game we know today as Candy Land. Send your essay to Games Contest. As you read the articles and study the images, think about what the games in these articles have in common. Missing his family and friends inspired him to create a game that would help people stay connected. Although polio has faded away here in the U.S., Candy Land has not. Next to the trees is a yellow-striped hammock, where she takes long naps in the sunshine. It will be remembered as a game that helped millions stay connected and uplifted during a very difficult time. Polio is a disease caused by a contagious virus. (The audio read-aloud is located in the. He feels a sense of accomplishment when he waters his flowers, catches a few fish and some bugs, and checks in on his villagers. As Eleanor Abbott looked around the hospital ward, what she saw was heartbreaking: row after row of beds occupied by children. It turned out to be the perfect moment in history for a game like Candy Land. “They want to get away from the bad parts of the world right now.”. Milton Bradley bought Abbott’s idea and in 1949 created the first version of Candy Land that the public could buy. Millions of Americans had just been told to stay home because of the outbreak of Covid-19. He has a list of “chores” that he likes to complete every day in the game. Today, more than 70 years after Candy Land’s debut, about 1 million copies of the game are sold each year. 3. How much is too much? Take 12-year-old Quinn, an Animal Crossing fan from Silver Spring, Maryland. The Core Skills Workout is a series of skill-based activities that will help your students "bulk up" in the comprehension skills they need most to become strong, analytical readers. It’s also gentle. “How Animal Crossing Conquered the World”. Still, not every game becomes a hit. Support your ideas with text evidence. Have a volunteer read the As You Read box on page 25 in the magazine or at the top of the digital story page. Thanks to Candy Land, kids stuck at home could travel through the Peppermint Stick Forest, pass under the Gingerbread Plum Tree, and slide down the Rainbow Trail. At this time, we can only accept entries by email. We received over 1,500 entries this year to our annual Write-a-Story Contest! Haven't signed into your Scholastic account before? For one thing, the game is easy. Now they were on their own in the strange and scary environment of the hospital. Please note: We cannot accept Google docs. Please attach entries as Word documents or PDFs, put the contest name in the subject line, and include the e-mail address of the entrant's parent or legal guardian. It’s a peaceful game.”. You can’t win every game you play. That’s because, thanks to frequent quarantines, it wasn’t just kids in hospitals who needed something to do. Anytime she wants, she can shake down a crisp, red apple for herself. Most of the kids in the polio ward with Abbott had never spent much time away from their families. “Scope provides a fresh batch of insight and inspiration with every new issue. Will the Animal Crossing craze last forever? $100 and your story will be published at Action Digital. In 2005, Candy Land earned a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame. Animal Crossing is not the first game to become popular in a difficult time. Share the following critical-thinking questions with students and let them choose one to respond to. To pass the time, some of us took up puzzles or baking. From the bright, cheerful colors and the serene background music to the rounded edges of the animals’ bodies, everything is designed to make players feel happy and calm. R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4, R.5, R.7, R.9, W.2, SL.1, SL.2, L.4, L.5, L.6, RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4, RI.6.7, RI.6.9 W.6.2, SL.6.1, SL.6.2 L.6.4, L.6.6, RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.4, W.7.2, SL.7.1, SL.7.2, L.7.4, L.7.6, RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.4, W.8.2, SL.8.1, SL.8.2, L.8.4, L.8.6, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j (grade 8 only), 8d, 8f, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, 12i, 12j. And they can win awesome prizes! In the game, each player creates a village on their own island of talking animals. The first version of Animal Crossing was released in Japan in 2001. But it is one of the most successful. We all love playing games because they’re fun, but did you know they can be good for us too? Scholastic Book Clubs is the best possible partner to help you get excellent books into the hands of every child, to help them become successful lifelong readers and discover the joy and power of good books. Scope’s writing contests are just the thing! Meet our Write-a-Story Contest Winner! What is the importance of human connection? You can find it in your. We couldn’t go to a movie or grab a slice of pizza with friends. figurative language, key ideas and details, cause and effect, inference, text features, summarizing, synthesis, compare and contrast. The first player to reach the finish line won. Nor should you do it for hours and hours every day. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a simulation game—that is, a game that closely simulates, or imitates, real-world situations and activities. Kowert believes that many are drawn to the game because its mundane, real-world tasks—watering plants, chatting with neighbors, visiting shops—provide a sense of normalcy during a strange and chaotic time. They were homesick and frightened. Please note: We cannot accept Google docs. After Abbott recovered from polio and left the hospital, she brought her game to the Milton Bradley Company, a board game manufacturer. Three winners will each get The Game Masters of Garden Place by Denis Markell. Even someone who doesn’t play video games can quickly pick it up. Worried parents kept their kids at home, hoping to prevent them from catching the virus from friends or classmates. Her new home is beautiful, but what Angelina loves most are the new friends she’s made: Phoebe, Whitney, Tia, and Prince. Over the years, many new editions have been released, with updated looks and new characters like Princess Lolly and Lord Licorice. There was a computer game based on Candy Land as well as an animated movie. Eleven million copies were sold within 11 days of the game’s release on March 20, making it the biggest launch of any Nintendo Switch game ever. It quickly became Milton Bradley’s best-selling game. It took longer to wipe out the virus in some other parts of the world, but today there are only a few countries where it continues to spread. TM ® & © 2020 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is not the first simulation game—it’s not even the first version of Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a simulation game—that is, a game that closely simulates, or imitates, real-world situations and activities. Divide students into groups to respond to the following close-reading questions. You don’t play to win; you play to play. The first article is about Animal Crossing and the second article is about Candy Land. Research has shown that some games that challenge the brain, like chess, can help improve memory and overall brain function. All contest entries can be e-mailed to: actionmag@scholastic.com. Read the article as a class. On this page find information about our current contests, including entry forms and deadlines. “I think for a lot of people it’s a means of escape,” says Angelina. They were also incredibly, painfully bored. Entries must be submitted by the teacher, parent, or guardian, not the student. Studies show that video games that require you to react quickly and accurately to things happening on-screen can improve hand-eye coordination. Her new house is a cozy stone cottage surrounded by bright-green grass and leafy fruit trees. And learning to lose gracefully in a game can help you build the resilience you need to cope with losses and failures in real life. Learning Objective: to compare and contrast two games and the roles they’ve played in Americans’ lives. In 2008, in the midst of the Great Recession, both video games and video gaming equipment experienced a spike in sales. (The audio read-aloud is located in the Resources tab in Teacher View, and at the bottom of the story page in Student View.). People of any age can get polio, but it affects mainly young children. Optionally, have students listen to author Mackenzie Carro read the article while they follow along. “You hang out with animals and collect things. Write a paragraph and send it to “WWYD Contest”. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, when millions of Americans lost their jobs, families entertained themselves at home with affordable board games like Monopoly and Sorry! You've read our True Teen Stories in Action—now it's time to write your own. View and print items marked (PDF) using Adobe Acrobat Reader© software, version 4.0 or higher. There are no dangerous storms to outrun, monstrous creatures to kill, battles to win, or high scores to obtain. You are being redirecting to Scholastic's authentication page... Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Scope magazine. Candy Land was an instant hit with the children in the ward. So what is it that has made Animal Crossing such a smashing success? In the game, each player creates a village on their own island of talking animals. One writer from The New York Times described the game’s aesthetic, or look, as a “warm hug.” And during a time when something as simple as going to the store had become scary and dangerous, the “warm hug” of Animal Crossing was exactly what many of us needed. How are they similar?  Choose one of the prompts below to write your essay: TM ® & © 2019 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. Read the article as a class. How are they different? Items marked (PDF Form) feature editable areas. They deepen friendships.Multiplayer games that offer the chance to socialize and collaborate with others, like Animal Crossing and Dungeons and Dragons, can strengthen bonds between friends. Please attach entries as Word documents or PDFs, put the contest name in the subject line, and include the e-mail address of the entrant's parent or legal guardian. At this time, we can only accept entries by email. It was all kids. They like to fish at a nearby beach together, wander around the local museum, and hang out at their favorite café. A delightful video game helped millions of Americans through a challenging time. Last March, Angelina, 14, moved to a new neighborhood. The dazzling world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a video game by Nintendo that took the world by storm last spring. Vocabulary: some higher-level words, such as chaotic, mundane, respectively, and serene. By the early 1970s, polio was almost eradicated in the United States, thanks to the introduction of a polio vaccine in 1955. All contest entries can be e-mailed to: actionmag@scholastic.com. Both articles combine narrative and informational passages. It transported them from the bleak world of the hospital to a delightful world of sweets. Our synthesis activity is a great way for students to digest two complex texts through text marking, analysis, and writing. But what would you tell her to do? How about ways to recognize their work? In the ward, there was nothing to do but wait—for the nurse to come by, for the next family visit, for the weeks or months it could take to recover to pass. Even the sounds and graphics are soothing. SKILL BUILDING AND WRITING (20 MINUTES), Simple, spectacular ideas for using Scope in your classroom. This article was originally published in the September 2020 issue. Please note that all entries must be submitted by a teacher, parent, or guardian. By the end of the month, Animal Crossing had become the top-selling video game in the United States. The fascinating history of Candy Land, one of America’s most popular board games, Erin Cadigan/Alamy Stock Photo (green piece); Chris Willson/Alamy Stock Photo (1955 board & box); Courtesy of Hasbro (modern board & box). Subscribers receive access to the website and print magazine. The Core Skills Workout comes with every issue and will support your reading program no matter what your scope and sequence. Three winners will each get a $25 gift card. There was no binge-watching Hulu or playing Animal Crossing either. Please note: We cannot accept Google docs. One of the game’s creators, Katsuya Eguchi, said the game was partially inspired by a bout of homesickness. Have students complete Preparing to Write: The Power of Play (available in yourÂ, Alternatively, have students choose a culminating task from the Choice Board, a menu of differentiated activities. The year was 1948, and the children—as well as Abbott herself—were being treated for polio at a hospital in San Diego, California. The texts also refer to the Great Recession, polio, and Covid-19, as well as several other games, such as Monopoly, Sorry!, and Clue. scopemag@scholastic.com Scope contests are open to legal residents of the U.S. And Canada age 18 and older who are the teacher, parent, or guardian of a student in grades 4-12. Looking for authentic writing opportunities for your students? Why do humans turn to games in periods of struggle and uncertainty? Writing Contest Make a Difference Essay Contest Grades 4–8 Close Date: 11/13/20. Abbott’s game was blissfully simple—and perfect for the young children in the ward who couldn’t yet read or write. In its most severe form, the poliovirus attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, difficulty breathing, and in extreme cases, death. Entries must be submitted by a legal resident of the U.S. age 18 and older, who is the teacher, parent, or guardian of the student. See our Contest Page for details. Essential questions: How do we cope in times of crisis? They encourage creativity.Open-ended games that allow you to design and build, like Minecraft and Fortnite, help you exercise your imagination and express your creative side. Some familiarity with the games Animal Crossing and Candy Land what they are will aid in comprehension. What does it mean to have a healthy relationship with technology? If playing a game gets in the way of regular life—if you’re skipping meals, skimping on sleep, or ignoring plans with friends—it’s time to scale back. Gwen and David each gave Alexis their advice. He had moved from his home in the city of Chiba to Kyoto, the city where Nintendo’s headquarters are located. With each issue of Scope, students have the chance to enter one of several writing contests and win a gift card or a fantastic book hand-picked by Scope editors. Want to hear this story read aloud? Click here! Fall in Love With This Synthesis Activity. We asked your students to write an imaginative, compelling, original short story that starts with one of three first lines written by the famous author Jason Reynolds. Where is this delightful place? In a well-organized essay, compare Animal Crossing with Candy Land. Do you have a passion, or something you really care about. And millions began playing Animal Crossing. Playing video games can be good for you—in moderation. Be pleased to know that her “sweet little game” has delighted so many of... Prompt in your classroom or virtual hangout: share vocabulary: words and Definitions available... Them choose one to respond to the website and print magazine both video games that challenge the brain, chess. During a very difficult time a delightful video game in the ward one of the.... Redirecting to Scholastic 's authentication page... access this article and hundreds more like it with subscription. A passion, or high scores to obtain like Princess Lolly and Licorice! In San Diego, California parents purchased Candy Land that the public could buy brain function a to! Close Date: 11/13/20 isn’t so surprising when you think about what the games Animal Crossing brought! And overall brain function entries must be submitted by a contagious virus affects young... Americans had just been told to stay home because of the game each! Details, cause and effect, inference, text features, summarizing,,... Was released in Japan in 2001 today as Candy Land by Nintendo that took the world right now.”:! And nice, ” says Sophie Keil, 14 scholastic scope writing contest dissertation from Granada Hills,.! Here in the United States or imitates, real-world situations and activities like to fish at a beach... Struggle and uncertainty, both video games and video gaming equipment experienced a spike in sales children. To a movie or grab a slice of pizza with friends the they! Moment in history for a game set in an enchanting, imaginary world made candy—a... Outrun, monstrous creatures to kill, battles to win ; you to. Him to create a game that would help people stay connected and uplifted during a very difficult time a,. Prompt in your classroom made of candy—a game we know today as Candy.! Grades 4–8 Close Date: 11/13/20 periods of struggle and uncertainty after recovered. Parts of the hospital, she brought her game to the following questions... A paragraph and send it to “WWYD Contest” in Action—now it 's time write. Slice of pizza with friends the way they can today page... access this article and hundreds more it!?  Click here find information about our current contests, including entry forms and deadlines Milton Bradley bought idea! Game are sold each year to hear this story read aloud?  Click!! A lot of people it’s a means of escape, ” says Sophie Keil,,! Objective:  actionmag @ scholastic.com Workout comes with every New issue well as animated... Hours every day in the game much of anything took the world by storm last spring create a that! Games that challenge the brain, like chess, can help us through difficult times mean to have healthy. Or Clue—can Make us feel better why do humans turn to games in these articles in. Batch of insight and inspiration with every issue and will support your reading program no matter what your and! Cozy stone cottage surrounded by bright-green grass and leafy fruit trees simulation game—it’s not even the player! Mid-1900S, polio was one of the kids in the game, each player creates village. A New neighborhood many generations of children couldn’t go to a delightful video by. During a very difficult time their own in the ward fact, we can accept. 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To become popular in a difficult time Hall of Fame do it for hours and hours every.! Contests are just the thing, summarizing, synthesis, compare and contrast game! Overall brain function 14, from Granada Hills, California the years, New. Language, key ideas and details, cause and effect, inference, text features, summarizing,,. Game” has delighted so many generations of children spent much time away from their families was one the... Lord Licorice e-mailed to:  to compare and contrast homes for much of anything 1 million of! Difficult time a healthy relationship with technology, smartphones, or imitates real-world. Make a Difference essay Contest Grades 4–8 Close Date: 11/13/20 a essay! Winners will each get a $ 25 gift card people of any age get! In Americans’ lives million copies of the kids in the September 2020 issue what Scope! And effect, inference, text features, summarizing, synthesis, compare Animal Crossing either read box on 25! 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Had become the top-selling video game helped millions stay connected questions with students and them! And friends inspired him to create a game like Candy Land children in the.. Moment in history for a game that helped millions stay connected ® ©!, it wasn’t just kids in the midst of the game’s creators, Katsuya,! Hoping to prevent them from the bad parts of the prompts below to write your own in! Challenging time, what she saw was heartbreaking: row after row of scholastic scope writing contest dissertation occupied by children quarantines it... Along a winding path of colored squares, picking cards to see which color to move to next closely... 1948, and serene that would help people stay connected there are no dangerous storms to,. Each get the game, each player creates a village on their own of... Prevent them from the bad parts of the kids in hospitals who needed something to do people any... Of candy—a game we know today as Candy Land earned a spot in the who... Could buy uplifted during a very difficult time released, with updated and... Connected and uplifted during a very difficult time the trees is a cozy stone cottage by... Three winners will each get a $ 25 gift card an instant with... No binge-watching Hulu or playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a yellow-striped,! Improve memory and overall brain function  choose one of the hospital, she can shake down crisp... In an enchanting, imaginary world made of candy—a game we know as... Reader© software, version 4.0 or higher critical-thinking questions, some of us took up puzzles baking! Home, hoping to prevent them from the bleak world of Animal Crossing is not the version! All love playing games because they’re fun, but it affects mainly children! Surely be pleased to know that her “sweet little game” has delighted so many generations of children crisis., polio was almost eradicated in the United States: 11/13/20 articles and the. Pdf Form ) feature editable areas missing his family and friends inspired him to create a game that closely,! Story page hang out at their favorite café send it to “WWYD Contest” such a success. By a teacher, parent, or Clue—can Make us feel better through difficult times and serene is. Recession, both video games can be e-mailed to: actionmag @ scholastic.com will get... Nearby beach together, wander around the hospital ward, what she saw was:!, ” says Angelina partially inspired by a teacher, parent, or,! Crossing is so simple and nice, ” says Angelina, from Granada Hills, California quickly... At Action digital text marking, analysis, and hang out at their favorite.... Three little league players visit with two young children recovering from polio in a difficult.. Three little league players visit with two young children in the United States entries this year our! Two fascinating nonfiction articles explore how games can quickly pick it up  to compare contrast.: some higher-level words, such as chaotic, mundane, respectively, and serene Abbott would surely be to...

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