October 2007

Educators, welcome to our collection of SIRS® Challenge Quests! Students can view this month's quests, and last month's answers, inside your SIRS subscription(s) during the third week of the new month.

We recommend that you send students to the online version of these activities to give them a chance to find the answers on their own. You may save this email for your personal use as an answer key. To access these activities via your SIRS subscription, click on Suggested Research Topics under Database Features.

SIRS Discoverer®

Some Halloween traditions were born with the ancient Celts, who lived in present-day Ireland more than 2,000 years ago. They celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of winter on October 31, and also believed that spirits returned to Earth on that day.

What did the ancient Celts do, to disguise themselves from returning spirits on October 31?

Answer Pathfinder

Subject Heading(s): Halloween

Keywords: "ancient Celts"; Celts AND spirits

Topic Browse Path: CULTURES: Holidays, Ceremonies & Observances: Halloween

Article(s) | Site(s):
"Spooky Myths Busted!," National Geographic Kids, Oct. 2005

Answer: After dark on October 31, the ancient Celts put on masks to disguise themselves from returning spirits.

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SIRS Knowledge Source®

New Mexico has a long and varied history. The region has been occupied by Native American peoples, Spain and Mexico, and became a U.S. territory in 1848.

The state currently boasts a large population of Hispanic Americans, whose heritage and traditions have greatly influenced its unique culture.

The nation's oldest government building resides in what New Mexican city?

A. Albuquerque
B. La Cruces
C. Santa Fe
D. Truth or Consequences

Article(s) | Site(s):
"The U.S. Latino Presence," HISPANIC, Oct. 2001

Answer: C. Santa Fe

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SIRS Knowledge Source®.

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