1. Like a Mars Mission

Scientists have wanted to know more about the planet Mars ever since the so-called "Red Planet" was discovered orbiting next out from Earth in our sun's solar system. Now space agencies in the United States and Europe are working to find out how to send people on a flight to Mars and back. Last week six scientists entered a special space capsule in the European country of Russia to see how humans would react to a long space journey to Mars, which would take one and a half years round trip. The scientists will be confined to the space capsule on land for three months, as if they were flying to Mars. As a class, talk about different efforts to explore space. Then find stories about space missions in the newspaper or online. Draw a poster of a space mission you would like to take, and write why would like to try it.

Learning Standards: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance; understanding and explaining how we learn about the universe; representing creatively.

2. Traveling President

President Obama is making his first trip overseas this week, meeting with top leaders of other nations on an eight-day journey that will take him to five different countries on the continents of Europe and western Asia. The biggest topics for the trip have been money, banks, jobs and the world's finances, but the President also is talking about terrorism and ways the U.S. and other countries can work together to solve problems. As a class, find the continent of Europe on a map. Then find stories in the newspaper about different countries President Obama is visiting. Discuss why each country was important for the president to visit.

Learning Standards: Acquiring information from multiple sources; locating and describing the diverse places, cultures and communities of world regions; understanding and using maps; describing how world issues and events affect various societies, places and cultures in different ways.

3. Air Pollution & Schools

Air pollution is caused when factories, homes, schools or cars release smoke, soot, chemicals or gases into the air. Much of the pollution comes from burning fuels like oil, gasoline and coal in factories, homes, schools or cars. To protect students in schools, the nation's Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will test the air around 62 schools in 22 states to make sure it is safe for students. Tests will focus on pollution or chemicals that can cause breathing or other health problems. With a partner, look though the newspaper for photos of places where people live or work. Study the photos carefully and make a list of possible sources of air pollution. Then make a list of ways people could reduce the risk of air pollution in these places.

Learning Standards: Explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; understanding the nature of scientific inquiry; describing positive and negative effects of humans on nature; responding to visual and written texts.

4. Dinos Hanging Out

In the world of dinosaurs, scientists have found many fossils of the three-horned dinosaur Triceratops. And up to now, the fossils have indicated Triceratops liked to live alone. A new discovery at a fossil bed in the state of Montana, however, indicates that Triceratops dinos liked to hang out together -- at least when they were young. Fossils of three young Triceratops were found close together in the 66-million-year-old fossil bed, leading scientists to think Triceratops weren't loners after all. As a class, talk about ways that fossils can teach scientists about life on Earth long ago. Then draw a comic strip for the newspaper, showing you on a fossil-hunting trip. Or draw a strip showing dinosaurs hanging out!

Learning Standards: Explaining how fossils provide evidence about the nature of ancient life; comprehending the past; engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically.

5. Earth Hour

Global warming happens when gases and pollution trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. One of the biggest global warming gases is carbon dioxide, which is created when people burn fuels like gasoline, oil or coal to power cars or run electric power plants. To reduce the amount of power being used - and reduce pollution caused by generating the power - people in 88 countries around the world turned down electric lights for an hour on March 28. The "Earth Hour" was praised by environmentalists as a powerful statement about worldwide concern over global warming. As a class, talk about ways human activities cause pollution or help cause global warming. Then write a short letter to the editor of the newspaper describing how your family could use less electricity and cause less air pollution.

Learning Standards: Describing positive and negative effects of humans on nature; evaluating possible resolutions of a public issue; writing fluently for multiple purposes.