1. In Space

On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel to space. Just a few weeks before, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, had become the first person ever to travel into space and safely return. People, of course, are still exploring space, as are rovers, satellites and other unmanned spacecraft. Read an article about space exploration in this week’s newspapers or online at the website of America’s NASA space agency, www.nasa.gov. Create a list of 10 thoughtful questions you might ask someone mentioned in the story.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; reading closely what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; asking questions that help students learn about the world.

2. Air Shows Canceled

Because of federal budget cuts, the U.S. military has been forced to ground its jet and demonstration teams. As a result, dozens of air shows have been canceled. In the past, the shows have drawn tens of thousands of spectators and generated millions of dollars for local economies. Grounded as of April 1 have been the military’s two elite jet teams — the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds — and the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team. The military also has curtailed its help with ground displays of various aircraft at the hundreds of air shows held in the United States each year. These cuts are part of the so-called “sequester” approved by the U.S. Congress. In your newspaper, find another story about effects of the sequester. Write a paragraph explaining the results and whom the effect will affect most.

Common Core/National Standards: Reading closely what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions.

3. A Winehouse Documentary

Amy Winehouse, the troubled singer who died at age 27 from accidental alcohol poisoning, will be the subject of a documentary film. Director Asif Kapadia and producer James Gay-Rees will use previously unseen footage for the project, which they hope to introduce to prospective investors at the Cannes Film Festival this month. They describe the singer as “a once-in-a-generation talent who … wrote and sang from the heart,” and as a result “everyone fell under her spell.” Documentary films tell real-life stories and often are inspired by the news. Find a story in the newspaper about a person or issue that would make a good documentary. Write a “film treatment” summarizing why the person/issue would be a good subject and how your documentary would be set up.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

4. A 9/11 ‘Souvenir’

Almost 12 years after the September 11 attacks on America, a piece of an airplane’s landing gear has been found, wedged in a narrow, inaccessible space between two buildings, about three blocks from the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. Hidden from view until now, it apparently is from one of the two jets that slammed into the twin towers. The piece — about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide — was in a narrow gap between residential buildings when discovered by land surveyors. It bore a Boeing serial number. To lodge between the buildings, it had to have come in at almost precisely the right angle, a New York City police spokesman speculated. The events of September 11 still affect attitudes and emotions of people. Search the newspaper and Internet and find an issue, attitude or action that has a connection to 9/11. Write a paragraph explaining the connection.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions.

5. Students Stage Walkouts

It costs about $30,000 a year to attend the Culinary Institute of America, but some students apparently think they’re not getting their money’s worth. They’ve been walking out of class to protest what they contend is a weakening enforcement of educational standards at the school in Hyde Park, New York. In recent years, students have been protesting what they describe as slipping academic requirements, shoddy equipment and a too-cozy relationship between the school and the corporate food world. Use the newspaper to find an issue important enough for someone to stage a protest. Write a paragraph describing what kind of protest would be the most effective — or if another approach would be better.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.