1. Bees’ Disease = Higher Prices

Honeybees have been dying en masse for about 12 years. That’s a major problem for all of us, because it’s been estimated that 25 percent of the American diet depends on bee pollination. Fewer bees leads to smaller harvests and higher food prices. Last year, almost half of the hives needed to pollinate fruits and vegetables on United States farms were lost, commercial beekeepers say. The cause is colony collapse disorder, but so far scientists have not determined exactly why it happens. Beekeepers suspect a new class of pesticides may be at fault, because they can get incorporated into the plants, but pesticide manufacturers insist their products are safe. In the newspaper, find an ad for a food you like. Brainstorm a list of factors that could affect the price of that food. Write a short essay describing the factors that affect food prices, citing evidence from you research.

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 narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.

2. Apollo 13 Lands

On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 and its three astronauts returned to Earth after a flight on which it had had several severe problems. As a class, read about the dramatic events of this flight in the newspaper or research books or look it up online. Then read about a happy outcome to a dangerous or scary situation in this week’s newspapers. In a paragraph, compare the events to those found in a book or story you have read for class.

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; writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.

3. Red Tide vs. Manatees

A toxic red algae bloom has been killing off manatees in record numbers off Florida’s west coast. The state’s Fish and Wildlife Institute reports that the annual red tide has killed 241 of the state’s estimated 5.000 manatees this year, far more than the prior record of 151. What is worse, the toll appears certain to rise because the toxin clings to sea grasses, even though the algae largely disappeared by mid-March. A manatee can consume about 100 pounds of sea grass a day. This year’s algae bloom has been especially severe and long-lasting, and no one is certain why. Environmental changes or changes to habitats can have great effect on wildlife. In the newspaper or online find a story or stories about wildlife facing environmental problems. Pick one and summarize what you have read, citing evidence from the text.

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; writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.

4. Coach’s Abuse Caught on Tape

At first, his bosses at Rutgers University thought they could “rehabilitate” basketball coach Mike Rice, who had been abusing players verbally and physically (shoving, grabbing, etc.), but after videotapes circulated nationally, the coach was fired. The university said the dismissal resulted from new information and “a review of previously discovered issues,” but some observers and alumni fault the Rutgers administration for not acting until the videotape attracted national attention. In December, Rice had been suspended for three games and fined $50,000 for his behavior. His termination followed nationwide protests stemming from the tape, and criticism by state legislators and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In three seasons at Rutgers, Rice’s teams had a 44-51 record, 15-16 this season. As a class, use the newspaper and Internet to find stories about Rice’s situation and firing. Use what you find to write a short editorial outlining a code of conduct for sports coaches at schools.

Common Core/National Standards: Writing opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information; engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.

5. Midterms Can Wait, Thanks to Justin

“We’ve all been 14 years old,” Norway’s education minister said, explaining why five schools have postponed their midterm exams, so that students can attend Justin Bieber concerts in the city of Oslo in the European country. The real reason, officials conceded, is the fear that many students would skip the exams to see their idol. Bieber, 19, is extremely popular in Norway. So much so that during a free concert last year in Oslo, dozens of teenage girls were injured fighting to get a glimpse of him. The exams have been rescheduled to a time when Bieber will be on his way elsewhere. As a class, talk about singers and movie stars who are popular with students your age. Which are the most popular with your class? Use the newspaper or Internet to research one star you like. Write a short biography of the person and present it to the class.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.