A12 THE BULLETIN • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 37, No. 42
Should people be able to ride skateboards on sidewalks?
Some people say, “For sure!” and others say, “Definitely
not!” Today’s Kid Scoop looks at both sides of the issue
and lets you ask, think and decide for yourself.
Below are some TRUE facts
about skateboarding history as
well as a few that are FALSE.
Do the math under each
statement. If the answer is EVEN,
that statement is TRUE. If the
answer is ODD, it’s FALSE.
1958: The skateboard is made
from roller skates attached to a
board. It is a way to surf when
there are no waves—sidewalk
surfing.
12 + 14 - 8 =
Streets are dangerous places to ride
skateboards. Riders risk being hit
by a car or falling in front of one.
1963: The first skateboard
contest is held in California.
27 + 19 - 4 =
Some people are afraid
that skateboarders zipping
along sidewalks endanger
pedestrians, especially older
people and small children
who may have difficulty
getting out of the
way of a speeding
skateboard.
1969: Tony Hawk wins the stunt
competition at the first X Games.
21 + 11 - 9 =
1973: The invention of urethane
wheels turns a formerly noisy,
bumpy ride smooth and silent.
Because the urethane wheels
grip concrete better, curbs,
ditches and other terrain become
skating courses.
27 + 15 - 3 =
The
U.S. Consumer
Product Safety
Commission
suggests that
skateboarders
should never ride
in the street.
Before you answer, ask, think and then decide.
Concerns
for the safety
of skateboarders
and pedestrians
has led to the
development of
skate parks in many
communities.
Find the two identical skateboarders.
Ask friends and family members for their
opinion. Write down their reasons for or against skateboarding
on sidewalks on a sheet of paper.
1977: President Jimmy Carter
makes history by skateboarding
to his inauguration ceremony.
27 + 19 - 5 =
1985: Scientists in Norway
discover an ancient skateboard
dating back to the year 535 A.D.
17 + 13 - 7 =
List three reasons why some people say
YES to skateboards on sidewalks and three reasons why some
people say NO to skateboards on sidewalks.
YES
1976-78: The California drought
forces homeowners to drain their
pools. Empty pools become
mini-skate parks. New tricks are
invented.
19 + 19 - 8 =
2000s: Many cities have built
skate parks and provide camps
and lessons that are available to
young people.
NO
22 + 8 - 4 =
Standards Link: History/Social Studies:
Students know how to interpret timelines.
Look through the
newspaper to find:
• A picture of a
street or sidewalk
• Something with
wheels
• A person who
might ride a
skateboard
• The letters that
spell pedestrian
You’ve asked questions, you’ve thought
about what each side has to say. Now it’s time for YOU to
decide. Write down your opinion here:
Standards Link: Research:
Use the newspaper to
locate information.
Standards Link: Research: Students compare information and draw conclusions.
The most important piece of equipment a
skateboarder needs is a
Use the Skateboard Secret Code to find the answer.
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.
SKATEBOARD
DEBATE
SIDEWALKS
S T D R E U S S I T
AFRAID
N O I N I P O I T E
OPINION
A S A Y S D A D H R
RISK
SECRET
K F R E E I E E I C
SAFETY
N S F B T H E W N E
RIDE
D R A O B E T A K S
WHEELS
H T A P T E M L E H
HELMET
E W H E E L S K S T
ASK
THINK
R E Y T E F A S E T
PATH
Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical
words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
ISSUE
Having a Say
Standards Link: Language Arts: Students respond to comments
(e.g., gives reasons in support of opinions, responds to others’ ideas).
This week’s word:
PEDESTRIAN
The noun pedestrian
means someone who
travels by walking.
Pedestrians should always
use crosswalks when
crossing the street.
Try to use the word
pedestrian in a sentence
today when talking with your
friends and family members.
Brain
Builders
ANSWER: Because he wasn’t
using his head.
Look at the letters to the editor section of your
newspaper and read a letter that interests you.
Do you think the person did a good job of
expressing his or her position on this debate?
What could you add to their letter?
Complete the grid by using all the
letters in the word SKATER in each
vertical and horizontal row. Each letter
should only be used once in each row.
Some spaces have been filled in for you.
List three to five ways you
can think of to exercise
your brain.