Squiz Kids Shortcuts
Each week we take a deep dive into a high-interest news or current affairs topic, answering kids' burning questions about everything from the Olympics to Islam. A new episode is released every Monday morning.
Looking for curriculum-aligned comprehension activities for each shortcut? We've got you covered. And check the episode notes for more resources to dig deeper.
LATEST SHORTCUT
The Titanic
It was elegant, expensive, and doomed… the greatest shipwreck of all time. We’ll take you through WHY Titanic is the most famous ship, and shipwreck, in history… HOW it all went so wrong … and WHAT Titanic looks like today.
Squiz Kids Shortcuts dive into the who, what, when, where, why and how of the big news stories.
PREVIOUS SHORTCUTS
Your Shortcut to… Taylor Swift
Your Shortcut to… Taylor Swift LINKS Christmas Tree Farm (song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN3rDTAdM2oHow Taylor Swift became a billionaire: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/music/crazy-numbers-behind-taylor-swifts-success/news-story/a309dbe652fa5770d63024f42d02e08f Marjorie Finlay: https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat/65065321/…
Your Shortcut to… The Theory of Evolution
Your shortcut to… The Theory of Evolution LINKS: Charles Darwin – Theory of Evolution Resource (Nat Geo Kids) https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/primary-resource/charles-darwin-theory-evolution/…
Your Shortcut to… Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons
Your shortcut to… Cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons. LINKS: Cyclone Experiment – Cyclone in a bottle: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/185919/Cyclone,-cyclone-experiment,-junior,-final.pdf How do hurricanes form:…
Your Shortcut to… Roller Coasters
They used to be known as “Russian mountains”… Australians spend millions on them every year … and on some, it’s impossible not to scream. We’ll take you through when rollercoasters were first invented; why people don’t fall out when they go upside down; and where you can find some of the craziest coasters.
Your Shortcut to… Ice Cream
Australians eat 20 litres of it per year … it wouldn’t be possible without science … and there are some seriously weird varieties. We’ll take you through WHEN ice cream was invented… HOW science helps us make it even more delicious … and WHAT are the freakiest flavours.
Your Shortcut to… New Year’s Around the World
A good one could involve an empty suitcase… 12 grapes… or special coloured underwear. We’ll take you through what we think are some of the most interesting traditions observed on December 31; where in the world New Year is celebrated on different dates; and why humans care so much about turning over the calendar.
Your Shortcut to… Christmas Traditions Around the World
Two billion people celebrate it each year… some in rollerskates… and some with a 12 course meal, which ends with dessert stuck to the ceiling. Over the next two weeks, people in 160 countries will be doing all sorts of things to celebrate Christmas. We’ll take you through where in the world some of our favourite Chrissie traditions are celebrated; what kinds of Christmas food different cultures eat; and why you should watch out for the Krampus.
Your Shortcut to… Ned Kelly
He was Australia’s most famous bushranger, a lawbreaker to some and a legend to others. This is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to Ned Kelly—the podcast where we dig into the who, what, when, where, why, and how of big news stories.
Your Shortcut to… Climate Change and COP28
Your shortcut to… Climate Change and COP28 LINKS: Classroom Resource 1 – All About Acronyms: https://www.squizkids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Climate-Change-Shortcut_ACRONYMS.pdf Classroom Resource 2 –…