Welcome to issue 9 of Know Your World Extra. Scroll to the bottom of the page for additional activities for your students.

Background Information About Issue 9
Feature-Are You at Risk?
Before Reading: There have been many cases of MRSA recently, some of which have been fatal. This article explains what the virus is and what you can do to protect yourself.
Tap Prior Knowledge: Ask students if they know what an infection is. What are some ways people spread diseases?
Background Information:
-Staph is usually carried on people's skin.
-Only 1 percent of those with staph have the MRSA virus.
-People most at risk for MRSA include patients in hospitals and those with weak immune systems.
-Forty-three percent of all skin infections in the United States are the result of a strain of staph.

Debate It!-Facing the Music
Before Reading: The music industry is cracking down on illegal downloads. Those caught downloading music without paying for it can face hefty fines.
Tap Prior Knowledge: Do you download music?

Readers' Theater-The Hound of the Baskervilles
Before Reading: In this classic Sherlock Holmes mystery, the detective must figure out if Charles Baskerville was killed by a supernatural being--or if it was murder.
Tap Prior Knowledge: Who is Sherlock Holmes? What is the name of his assistant?

Reality Check-Ads Don't Always Add Up
Before Reading: Remember to read the fine print on coupons and ads! Sometimes important information is listed.
Tap Prior Knowledge: What are some common things listed in the fine print of ads? Why is it important to read all the information in an ad or coupon?

What's So Funny
In issue 9, we showed you some winners of our What's So Funny page, which showed a cow with candy cane horns. Here are more of our favorite entries:

• "That Halloween candy is getting to my head!" Thania V., Elsmere, KY
• "Like the horns? My milk is caramel." Anna W., LaFayette,  NY
• "They say that stripes are in this year." Kyle H. and Jaden S., Hillsboro, OH
• "You're looking at one sweet hamburger." Brandon R., Anita, IN
• "I'm a sweet breed." Brett B., Copeland, KS
• "Sometimes people get a sweet tooth, but I always get sweet horns." Cori M., Rome, NY

Check back next month for new What's So Funny entries!

Extra Activities
Click here for additional activities and the answer key.

Your opinions matter! Is there something you want to see on the Web site? Do you have any questions or comments about the issue? E-mail us at kyw@weeklyreader.com. We want to hear from your students too. In every issue, we'll publish letters to the editor.