1. Queen Cleopatra

The North African nation of Egypt is known for its pyramids and for the pharaohs and queens who ruled its ancient kingdoms. One of the most famous queens was Cleopatra, who ruled a little more than 2,000 years ago. Cleopatra was a powerful queen, and people have always wanted to learn more about her. Now scientists and historians have gotten a fresh look at a temple at one of her palaces. Last month, it was announced that a nine-ton piece of the temple's entrance was recovered from under the water of the ocean harbor of Alexandria on Egypt's northern coast. Egypt hopes it will shed new light on Cleopatra's kingdom and become a main attraction at an underwater museum planned for the area, which sank under the ocean during an earthquake in ancient times. As a class discuss how scientists and historians learn about the past by studying things buried underground or under water. Then find a photo of an outdoor scene in the newspaper. What could future scientists learn if the place shown sank under water?

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; comprehending the past.

2. Getting Ready

Many people like to use the start of a new year as a time to get organized. Do a little organizing yourself by finding five proper names of places in today's newspaper. Put those names in alphabetical order. Then write a short paragraph about the place on your list that you would like to visit most.

Learning Standard: Acquiring information from multiple sources and then evaluating, organizing and communicating it in various contexts.

3. Hall of Famer

Guy Bluford made history as the first African American to fly in space for the United States. Now he has made history again. The 67-year-old Bluford has been elected to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in the state of Florida. Bluford made history for America's NASA space agency in 1983 when he joined the crew of the first space shuttle mission to launch and land at night. He later flew three other space missions for NASA before retiring in 1993. Bluford and three other members of this year's Hall of Fame "class" will be inducted in ceremonies next June. As a class, talk about the skills and personality a person needs to be an astronaut. Then find another job in the newspaper that requires some of the same skills. Draw a comic strip showing someone using those skills on the job.

Learning Standards: Identifying and explaining how people demonstrate good character and personal virtue; acquiring information from multiple sources; using the craft of the illustrator to express ideas artistically.

4. Help from a Dog

Animals can inspire people in many ways. But few have inspired people the way a two-legged dog has done. The dog was born without its two front legs, but with the help of dedicated owners, it has learned to walk and get around on its hind legs. The dog, which was named Faith, has become an inspiration for people who have been injured in accidents, especially soldiers who have been hurt in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Faith and her owners now appear around the country inspiring soldiers and others to overcome injuries and recover. As a class, talk about ways that animals can inspire people. Then talk about other ways people can be inspired to achieve their goals. Find someone in the newspaper who could use some inspiring support. Write a letter to this person offering support and inspiration.

Learning Standards: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

5. Will on the Streets

Prince William is the grandson of the Queen of England in the European country of Britain. Some day in the future, William could become king, which would make him one of the richest people in the world. Yet the 27-year-old prince spent a winter night recently sleeping on the streets of the city of London. He did it to learn first hand what it is like to be homeless and to give support to a charity group that helps homeless people. Dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, William "slept rough" on the pavement behind garbage cans in an alley. "Sleeping rough" is what British people call sleeping on the street. As a class, talk about ways people can help homeless families or individuals. Then design a public service ad for the newspaper, seeking help for the homeless in your area. Share and discuss your ads as a class.

Learning Standards: Posing social science questions about cultures or communities; gathering and analyzing information to answer the question posed; representing creatively.