1. Book Sales

In a recent New York Times article, journalist Motoko Rich discussed the difficulty of judging a book by its cover in the age of e-books, as more and more people are downloading books onto portable electronic devices and reading them off the devices. Look at ads in the newspaper and think about what message the advertisers are trying to get across with the words and images they use. What methods do the ads use to attract attention? What emotions and thoughts are they trying to elicit? Then design a cover for a book you've enjoyed. Think of the cover as an ad for the book. Show your cover to the class and explain how it represents the book and why it would encourage readers to buy the book.

Learning Standards: Consistently using strategies to regulate the effects of variables on the communication process; designing a communication environment for maximum impact on the receiver.

2. Morse Code

Samuel Morse was born on April 27, 1791. Morse helped invent the electric telegraph, a device that uses pulses of electrical current to convey information over wires. In the days before telephones, fax machines and computers, the telegraph represented a major technological advance. Morse figured out a way to use only one wire in relaying a message, as opposed to the 26 wires -- one for each letter -- that telegraphs originally used. He created a system of dots and dashes that stood for letters, a system known as Morse code. Pick a short article in the newspaper and translate it into a code. Make sure it's a consistent code throughout the article, so someone else could figure out the pattern. Trade your article with a classmate and try to decipher each other's codes.

Learning Standard: Using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, clarifying information and learning complex procedures; comparing and contrasting spoken, written and visual language patterns used in different communication contexts, such as community activities, discussions, mathematics and science classes, and the workplace.

3. Comedy

April 29 is comedian Jerry Seinfeld's birthday. Seinfeld became famous starring in a popular TV sitcom named after him. Many of his jokes focus on everyday things in the average person's life. That style of comedy is known as "observational humor," because it's based on observing the funny side of commonplace things or occurrences. In groups, write a short monologue or skit that incorporates funny observations about things in the newspaper. Share it with the class.

Learning Standards: Focusing on meaning and communication while listening, speaking, viewing, reading and writing in personal, social, occupational and civic contexts; communicating information accurately and effectively and demonstrating their expressive abilities by creating oral, written and visual texts that enlighten and engage an audience.

4. Pedal Power

A hotel in in the European country of Denmark has come up with an unusual idea for helping the environment. The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers is installing two exercise bikes hooked up to generators. Hotel guests can pedal the bikes to produce electricity, which will then be used by the hotel. Guests who pedal will receive a free meal at the hotel's restaurant. In groups, use the newspaper to brainstorm an idea for an environmentally friendly product or concept. Share your idea with the class, explaining how it works and how it benefits the environment.

Learning Standard: Describing, comparing and explaining the locations and characteristics of ecosystems, resources, human adaptation, environmental impact and the interrelationships among them.

5. Leadership

Civil rights leader Dorothy Height died last week at age 98. Height spent her life fighting for equal rights for both African Americans and women. She was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for many years. Find another example of a leader in the newspaper. It can be someone local or someone on the national or international stage. Write a short biography of the person. Make a list of qualities the person appears to have that help make him or her a successful leader.

Learning Standards: Writing fluently for multiple purposes to produce compositions, such as stories, poetry, personal narratives, editorials, research reports, persuasive essays, resumes and memos; identifying and explaining how individuals in history demonstrate good character and personal virtue.