1. News Poem

April is National Poetry Month. Sometimes poets use current events as the basis for their writing. Read an article in today's newspaper that you find interesting. Write a poem that tells the story of the events. Your poem doesn't have to rhyme, but you should use colorful, lively language. See if you can include your opinion about the events through the descriptive words you choose. Share and read your poems aloud with the class.

Common Core/National Standard: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

2. Garden of Happiness

Spring is here. After a long winter, it’s a time for flowers, enjoying the outdoors and being happy. Look through this week’s newspapers and cut out pictures of things or events that make you happy. Then create a “garden of happy images” on a sheet of paper by pasting them into an art collage or other arrangement. Give your art a creative title.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points; representing creatively.

3. Generous Co-Workers

When Jennifer Maldonado started her job at a real estate agency in Plantation, Florida, she declined to enter the office Powerball lottery pool because she hadn’t yet received her first paycheck. Twelve real estate agents had pitched in $20 each — and their entry won $1 million. The winnings were shared by 13, however, including the new employee. “It would be a great idea for us to include her,” said one text message to the team, and one by one, the others agreed. Since that decision, e-mails and phone calls have been pouring in, congratulating the employees for their generosity. Saying she doesn’t feel she “deserves” the money, Maldonado said, “It was a very emotional experience to learn that I had a chance at a piece of a million dollars, and I just let it slide through my fingers.” No one has disclosed the size of her share, but she says she will use it to take a vacation with her husband and child. People often make news by doing nice things for others. Find an example in the newspaper or online. Then write a thank you letter to the person or people being nice. Make sure your letter is in the form of a “friendly” letter.

Common Core/National Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

4. A New Leader for Wikipedia

Wikipedia is the fifth most visited website in the world. The free online encyclopedia is visited by millions of students and other people every day as a source of information. Now Wikipedia is looking for a new leader. Wikipedia’s executive director, Sue Gardner, has announced that she is stepping down as soon as the Wikipedia Foundation board finds someone to replace her. Since taking over the post in 2007, Gardner has overseen a period of rapid growth at Wikipedia. Wikipedia relies on volunteers to write and edit entries, which now appear in 285 languages. Having made Wikipedia a success, Gardner says she now wants to play a broader role in “the shape the Internet is taking.” The Internet plays an increasingly large role in people’s lives in everything from news to store sales to entertainment. With a partner, go through the newspaper and find 10 examples of the Internet being offered or used as a resource. For each one, write out how it can help people.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

5. Frozen Fleas Replaced

An entire group of performing fleas had to be replaced in time for an open-air fair in the European country of Germany, after freezing temperatures in the area killed off the first collection. The “flea circus” director found all 300 of his insects dead in their transport box, but an insect expert at a nearby university provided 50 new fleas in time for the first show. It has not been explained how much training was required, and how easy (or not) it was to train the replacements. Animals, birds and even fleas provide entertainment and enjoyment for many people. In the photos, stories and ads of the newspaper, find an animal people enjoy in some way. Draw a comic strip for the newspaper showing you or your family enjoying an animal in some way.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats; using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points.