ILLUSTRATION BY GARY HANNA; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (DOG, WORMS, CRICKET)

Welcome to the Future

Barking robots. Flying school buses. Cricket sandwiches. What might life be like for a third-grader in the year 2071?

By Tricia Culligan

From the March/April 2021 Issue

Lexiles: 500L-600L, 600L-700L

Featured Skill: Key Ideas and Details,

The Story
Resources

Think and Read: Big Idea

As you read, think about what life might be like in 50 years.

1. BARKING ALARM CLOCK

Arf! Arf! Your robotic dog Max wakes you up. Max is both your pet and your alarm clock! You open your eyes to see him wagging his robot tail at you. Robot dogs, cats, and even snakes recognize your face and respond to commands. And they’re easy to take care of. No need to feed them—and no risk they’ll make messes on the carpet.

1. BARKING ALARM CLOCK

Arf! Arf! Your robot dog Max wakes you up. Max is your pet. He’s also your alarm clock. He’s wagging his robot tail at you. Robot dogs, cats, and even snakes can remember your face. They also respond to commands. And they’re easy to take care of. You don’t need to feed them. And they’ll never make messes on the rug.

2. BREAKFAST FROM A BOT

Seconds after you hop out of bed, your robot cleaner makes it for you. Other robots fold your clothes and help you brush your teeth. And you want blueberry pancakes for breakfast? Good news! Your robot cook will whip those up right away.

2. BREAKFAST FROM A BOT

You hop out of bed. Seconds later, your robot cleaner makes the bed for you. Other robots fold your clothes and help you brush your teeth. You want blueberry pancakes for breakfast? Good news! Your robot cook will make them right away.

3. FLYING SCHOOL BUS

Your driverless school bus pulls up. It picks you up outside your house and then takes off into the sky. That’s right—flying cars and buses are the fastest way to get around in 2071.

3. FLYING SCHOOL BUS

Your school bus pulls up. There’s no driver. This bus can drive itself! It picks you up outside your house. Then it takes off into the sky. Flying cars and buses are the fastest way to get around in 2071.

4. HAND IN YOUR HOMEWORK . . .IN YOUR HEAD

It’s impossible to forget your homework. Why? Because kids now have little computer chips . . . in their brains! You now download lessons and submit your homework in your head. You can even send messages to friends using just your thoughts.

4. HAND IN YOUR HOMEWORK . . .IN YOUR HEAD

It’s impossible to forget your homework. Why? Because kids now have little computer chips . . . in their brains! You now download lessons in your head. You turn in homework in your head too. You can even send messages to friends using just your thoughts.

5. BUG LUNCH

Lunch is served: a tasty sandwich made from crickets and worms. Many of your favorite foods are made with bugs these days. Bugs are a cheap source of protein, which helps your body stay strong and healthy.

5. BUG LUNCH

Lunch is served: a tasty sandwich made from crickets and worms. Many of your favorite foods are made with bugs these days. Bugs are a cheap way to get protein. And protein helps your body stay strong and healthy.

6. RECESS WITH YOUR BEST (ROBOT) FRIEND

Not enough kids to play soccer at recess? No problem. Robots on the playground can kick balls, push swings, and chase kids for tag. But don’t think a robot will ever replace your best friend—or your teacher. Sometimes only a real person can do the job.

6. RECESS WITH YOUR BEST (ROBOT) FRIEND

Not enough kids to play soccer at recess? No problem. Robots on the playground can kick balls, push swings, and chase kids for tag. But robots will never take the place of your best friend or teacher. Sometimes only a real person will do.

7. 3-D PRINT YOUR COSTUME

Oh no! You lost your costume for the school play. Luckily, you can print a new one with your school’s 3-D printer. You can make clothes, school supplies, and even candy with these amazing machines.

7. 3-D PRINT YOUR COSTUME

Oh no! You lost your costume for the school play. Luckily, you can print a new one with your school’s 3-D printer. You can make clothes, school supplies, and even candy with these amazing machines.

8. DELIVERY BY DRONE

You zip back home just in time for pizza night with your dad. A drone brings the pies right to your front door. These mini aircraft fly without pilots and make speedy deliveries of everything from snack bars to your grandpa’s medicines.

8. DELIVERY BY DRONE

You head back home just in time for pizza night with your dad. A drone brings the pies right to your front door. Drones are mini planes that don’t need pilots! They make quick deliveries of everything from snack bars to medicine.

9. MESSAGE TO MARS

Time for your family chat with Mom. She’s living on the first human settlement on Mars. Regular people live on the Red Planet now. You talk with a special app that connects to outer space.

9. MESSAGE TO MARS

Time for your family chat with Mom. She’s living in the first village on Mars. Regular people live on the Red Planet now. You talk using a special app that connects to outer space.

10. TIME FOR BED

Your bedtime routine is a breeze in your high-tech bathroom. The coolest part? A smart toilet studies your poop! The toilet will be able to tell if you’re sick by analyzing your waste and sending a report to your doctor. You get the all-clear from your toilet. Then you hop into bed. It’s been a busy day. But you feel lucky to live at such an exciting time. As you drift off to sleep, you wonder: What will the next 50 years bring?

10. TIME FOR BED

Your bedtime routine is easy in your high-tech bathroom. The coolest part? A smart toilet studies your poop! The toilet will be able to tell if you’re sick. It reviews your waste and sends a report to your doctor. You get the all-clear from your toilet. Then you hop into bed. It’s been a busy day. But you feel lucky to live at such an exciting time. As you fall asleep, you wonder: What will the next 50 years bring?