1. will.i.am

The singer will.i.am of the group Black Eyed Peas won worldwide attention this year when he made a music video based on one of Barack Obama's famous "Yes We Can" speeches. Now that Obama has won the presidential election, will.i.am. has released a new music video called "It's a New Day." The video was shown for the first time on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and not only includes pictures of Obama and his family, but images of famous African Americans like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Winfrey herself. "I thought of all the people that paved the way for [this] moment," will.i.am explained. As a class, talk about how the achievements of people in the past help people today achieve new things. Then find a newspaper story or photo of someone achieving something important. Talk about the people or events from the past that made the achievement possible. Stretch your thinking -- some connections may be indirect, not direct.

Learning Standards: Generating questions about issues that affect students or topics about which they are curious; engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance.

2. Healthy Teeth, Healthy Smiles

Healthy teeth and gums are important to good health. Keeping teeth strong and healthy allows you to eat foods that can make you strong and healthy -- and help you fight off diseases. To encourage kids and families to keep their teeth healthy, a national dental insurance company has launched "The 10,000 Smiles Project." In this project, the Delta Dental Plans Association seeks to collect 10,000 photos of people smiling on a special Web site www.10000smilesproject.com. When the 10,000th photo is uploaded, the association will donate $10,000 to the National Head Start Association, which supports pre-school health and education for kids. As a class, talk about the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day and limiting sugary foods and snacks. Then talk about other ways kids can stay healthy. Clip or print out photos, words and stories from the newspaper to make a poster encouraging kids to stay healthy.

Learning Standards: Comprehending what constitutes good health and nutrition; acquiring information from multiple sources and then evaluating, organizing and communicating it; representing creatively.

3. Ancient Religion

To learn about the past, scientists often study graves and burial grounds. In the Middle East country of Israel, a graveyard discovery has provided new details about an ancient religious leader. In a 12,000-year-old grave scientists have uncovered items that reveal the special treatment given to religious leaders known as shamans (SHAH-muns). The grave was that of a woman of importance, scientists said, because stones were used to hold her body in a special position. The grave also included items important to ancient religious ceremonies, including tortoise shells and body-parts of a wild boar, an eagle, a cow, a leopard and two martens. As a class, talk about how ceremonies are used to honor people or groups. With a partner, pick a person in the newspaper you would like to honor. Then brainstorm items important or connected to the person you would use to honor him or her if you were an ancient shaman.

Learning Standard: Responding to a variety of oral, visual, written and electronic texts by making connections to students' personal lives and the lives of others.

4. How About a Bald Puppy?

In his victory speech on Election Night, President-elect Barack Obama told daughters Malia and Sasha that because "I love you both so much ... you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." But because Malia is allergic to most breeds of dogs, the Obamas are looking for a breed that is "hypoallergenic" (HI-po-AL-er-JEN-ik) and won't cause sneezing or sniffles. Now the South American nation of Peru has offered to give the Obama family a Peruvian Hairless Dog, which does not cause allergy reactions. The bald dog is Peru's national dog and was popular among native Inca kings 3,000 years ago. Pretend you and your family are looking for a new pet. Write a Pet Wanted ad for the Classified Ads of the newspaper. Try to describe your dream pet in 50 words or less.

Learning Standards: Responding to a variety of oral, visual, written and electronic texts by making connections to students' personal lives and the lives of others; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

5. The Question and Answer Source

The newspaper is a great place to learn more about what's happening in the world. Before you look at today's paper, think of an issue or an event that you have heard about this week on TV, at home or through another source. Think up three questions about the issue or event to which you would like to know the answers. In teams, use the newspaper to see if you can find the answers.

Learning Standard: Designing and conducting simple investigations; acquiring information from multiple sources.

1. Question:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Answer:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

2. Question:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Answer:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

3. Question:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Answer:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Based on what you have read, create three more questions about the issues that you would like to explore further.