1. VOTER I.D. LAWS

President Trump announced that he plans to sign an executive order requiring voter ID for all U.S. elections. He also wants to restrict mail-in voting to only people who are very sick or in the military, and to get rid of voting machines in favor of paper ballots. But the U.S. Constitution doesn’t give the president power to control election laws—those are usually decided by states, and sometimes by Congress. Legal experts say that if Trump signs such an order, it will almost certainly be challenged in court, just like a similar order he tried earlier this year that was mostly blocked by a judge. Imagine you are a lawmaker who disagrees with Trump’s plan. Write a short statement explaining why states, not the president, should control election rules. Then, switch sides: write a second short statement as if you agree with Trump, explaining why you think voter ID and paper ballots are important. Which side do you think makes the stronger argument, and why?

2. ANTI-A.I. SLANG EMERGES

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in everyday life, some people are starting to push back—and they’ve even come up with a name for it: “clanker.” The term comes from the Star Wars: Clone Wars series, where it was used to insult battle droids. Now, it’s being used online and at protests to express frustration with A.I. tools like chatbots and robots. While some people use “clanker” as a joke, others are seriously concerned that A.I. is taking over jobs, spreading misinformation, or becoming too lifelike. Videos using the term are going viral on TikTok and Instagram, and some creators are imagining a future where robots are treated like second-class citizens. But others say using slurs—even against machines—can be harmful or go too far. As A.I. continues to grow, so does the debate about how we talk about it. Make a chart with two columns labeled “Why People Are Worried About A.I.” and “Why People Support A.I.” List as many reasons as you can think of for each side. Then, write a paragraph sharing your own thoughts: Do you think A.I. is more helpful or more harmful to society? Use at least one example from the article to support your opinion.

3. A.I. COMPANY COLLAPSES

Builder.ai was once seen as one of the top artificial intelligence companies in the world. It promised to help small businesses build apps using A.I. that was as easy to use as ordering a pizza. The company raised hundreds of millions of dollars and partnered with big names like Microsoft. But behind the scenes, Builder was not being honest. It claimed it made more money than it really did, and its A.I. system wasn’t as advanced as it said. When people found out the truth, the company quickly went bankrupt. Builder’s failure is a reminder that in the fast-moving world of A.I., companies need to be honest and careful — because pretending can only last so long. In 5 to 7 sentences, explain how Builder.ai fooled people and what led to its downfall. Why is it important for tech companies to be honest about what their products can really do? Then, imagine you are an investor. What are two questions you would ask a company before giving them money?

4. N.F.L. LEGEND HEADS TO COLLEGE

Bill Belichick, one of the most successful NFL coaches of all time, is now coaching the University of North Carolina’s football team. After winning six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, many people were surprised to see him move to college football at age 73. Some believe he wants to help his son become a head coach, prove he can still win, or take on a new challenge. Belichick is adjusting to big differences between college and the NFL—like class schedules, recruiting players, and working with new rules like the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. Even though it hasn’t been easy, Belichick has used his NFL experience to recruit talented players and build a strong team. He hopes to turn UNC into a top program, and many are watching closely to see if his professional success will carry over to the college game. Make a list of three ways coaching college football is different from coaching in the NFL, based on what you read about Bill Belichick’s experience. For each one, write 1–2 sentences explaining why it might be challenging for someone like Belichick. Then, think of a time when you or someone you know had to adapt to a new situation—like starting at a new school or learning a new skill—and write a short reflection about what helped make the adjustment easier.

5. STRIKE ENDS IN SOUTH KOREA

In South Korea, thousands of young doctors went on strike for 18 months, the longest walkout in the country’s medical history. They were protesting a plan by the government to increase the number of medical students by 65 percent over five years. Doctors argued this wouldn’t fix the real problems in the health-care system, like long hours and low pay for certain specialties, and might lower the quality of care. During the strike, nurses and even military doctors filled in, but many surgeries and treatments were delayed. The strike upset the public, who felt patients were being put at risk. After a new president took office, the government lowered the medical school admissions back to normal for 2026 and promised to negotiate for future years. Now, doctors are finally returning to work. Strikes happen when workers stop working to protest something they believe is unfair. Write about whether you think the doctors were right to strike, even though it caused problems for patients. What other ways could they have made their concerns heard? How could the government have prevented the strike or helped it end sooner?