The Urge to Explore
What is the name of the NASA rover exploring Mars?
Curiosity
What is The School in the Cloud?
It is a project that connects children with online mentors/teachers around the world.
She practiced every day and worked hard to __________ new skills in science.
acquire
The doctor will __________ medicine to help you feel better when you are sick.
prescribe
The coach told the player to let go of his mistake and keep playing the game.
What does let go of mean?
To stop worrying about something or release it mentally/emotionally
What was the name of Captain Cook’s ship?
Endeavour
Who are “Skype Grannies”?
They are online mentors who help guide children’s learning.
No one helped her—she did the whole project __________ by herself.
solely
What does input mean?
Ideas, opinions, or information that people give
The school gives good __________ so students can feel safe while learning.
security
Who gave Captain Cook a map of the South Pacific?
Tupaia
What do the students learn about in a typical session?
They learn about topics they are interested in, such as butterflies.
I had an unexpected encounter with a wild animal while hiking.
What does encounter mean?
A meeting, often unexpected
The flu is very contagious, so many students got sick after one person came to school ill.
What does contagious mean?
Able to spread from person to person
Why does the passage suggest that the “Age of Exploration” did not truly end after Captain Cook’s death?
Because humans continued to explore the Earth, the oceans, and eventually space, driven by curiosity and new technology.
What tools did Tupaia not use when navigating?
(Name at least two.)
a compass, chart, clock, or sextant
What usually happens at the beginning of each session?
They talk about things that happened during the week.
There is a good prospect that we will win the game this weekend.
What does prospect mean?
A possibility or chance of something happening
What is a mentor?
A person who helps and guides someone who is learning
What is a visionary?
A person who has creative ideas about the future
What do Tupaia’s skills show about Polynesian explorers?
they mapped and navigated the ocean using knowledge in their minds without modern tools
According to the passage, what makes a good teacher?
A good teacher creates a supportive environment, shows enthusiasm, and helps students engage in their own learning.
What does innately mean?
Something you are born with; naturally
What does enthusiasm mean?
a strong feeling of excitement and interest in something
According to the School in the Cloud, why did the speaker leave traditional teaching?
He left because the education system became too focused on strict curricula and exam results, leaving little room for exploration or student-driven learning.