1. Finding Forgiveness

Randy Weaver wanted to escape a world he felt was corrupt. He moved his family to Ruby Ridge in northern Idaho in the 1980s to get away from outside influences. But Weaver’s world came crashing down on him 20 years ago this month on August 22, 1992. Weaver, a former Green Beret, was suspected of having ties to white supremacist and anti-government groups, according to an Associated Press article. Federal agents seeking to arrest Weaver encountered his son Samuel and a family friend, Kevin Harris. A gunfight broke out and agents followed them to the Weaver house. An agent shot Weaver in the shoulder and his wife in the head. Recently, Weaver’s daughter Sara told reporters that she has been able to forgive the agent who shot her mother and father. Find a newspaper or online article about someone who has lost a loved one to violence and has been able to forgive. As a class, discuss what it takes to forgive someone and whether you think you could forgive as Sara Weaver has.

Common Core/National Standard: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

2. Great Women

August 26 was Women's Equality Day. Less than a hundred years ago, women in the U.S. could not vote. After a long struggle, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women that right on August 26, 1920. The efforts of the women who earned this right have inspired many others to fight against all kinds of unfairness. As a class, read a story about a woman or a group of women working for a cause that is important to them. Then write a paragraph summarizing why the women think the cause is important and how they got involved. Write a second paragraph describing one woman who is important in your life, and explain why.

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

3. Burn, Baby, Burn

They storm into burning buildings when everyone else is running out. They put their lives on the line every time a fire breaks out. Now the firefighters of Detroit, Michigan, are getting some well-earned recognition. Filmmakers Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez have created a documentary movie titled “Burn,” which won an audience award at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival in April, according to a Detroit Free Press article. The film follows the lives of the city’s firefighters, who face the challenge of fighting an increasing number of arson fires as budget cuts reduce how many firefighters and pieces of equipment are available. Putnam and Sanchez outfitted some of the firefighters with helmet cameras to get an up close view of what firefighters see as they enter a burning building. Find a newspaper article about people working to help out your community. Brainstorm an idea for a documentary movie about the people. Write a paragraph describing how your movie would begin.

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

4. In the Spotlight

Sometimes sports articles simply report on a game. Sometimes they discuss how leagues operate. And sometimes, you get to meet an athlete through a great feature story. Newspapers like to run feature stories of athletes during their seasons. These stories tend to focus on what things the people like, how they live and what they enjoy outside the game. Find and read a newspaper sports feature story about an athlete. Then set up an interview with an athlete from your high school or a local college. Write out questions you would like to ask. Then, after conducting the interview, write a feature story using descriptive language. If you are unable to interview an outside athlete, interview a classmate about his/her sports activities or interests.

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

5. What the Heck?

High school valedictorian Kaitlin Nootbaar substituted a common swear word for the word “heck” in her graduation speech and now finds herself without a diploma. Nootbaar submitted her speech to the school administration and it was approved as written, using the word “heck” at a key point. In the midst of giving the speech, however, she made the substitution, and her Oklahoma school is now demanding a written apology before giving her the diploma, according to a Yahoo! News article. She graduated in May and has yet to receive her diploma. As a class, discuss Nootbaar’s situation and whether she should have to do anything further to get her diploma. Write a paragraph giving your opinion on how the situation should be resolved.

Common Core/National Standard: Responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarizing points of agreement and disagreement.