1. Puppies on Parade

At this week's Westminster Dog Show in New York City, dogs of all types compete for the title "Best in Show." Many dog lovers take the yearly event very seriously. Find and cut out pictures of dogs and other animals from this week's newspaper. Make up categories or groups that the animals could be sorted into -- such as "birds," "fish," "mammals," "insects," "reptiles" or "small," "medium-sized" or "large." Get creative. Sort the pictures into the piles based on your categories. Trade category lists with a friend and re-sort your animal pictures based on the categories they chose.

Learning Standard: Comparing and classifying familiar organisms on the basis of observable physical characteristics.

2. Joy Luck

On February 19, 1952, writer Amy Tan was born. Her most famous book, "The Joy Luck Club," is about a group of four friends from China and their daughters, who have grown up in America. As a class, read a story about a group of two or more friends in this week's newspaper. Based on the details in the story, draw a picture of the friends doing something together.

Learning Standards: Exploring and reflecting on universal themes and substantive issues from oral, visual and written texts; representing creatively.

3. Thousands of Tracks

The great thing about dinosaurs is that scientists are always discovering new things about them. Now scientists in the Asian nation of China have discovered thousands of new things! Chinese scientists reported this month that they had discovered more than 3,000 fossilized dinosaur footprints in an eastern province of the country, and some of them were huge. Footprints up to 32 inches wide were found among the tracks of six different kinds of dinosaurs. Scientists say the footprints may have been created when a large number of plant-eaters tried to escape an attack from meat-eaters like Tyrannosaurus rex, since T. rex footprints were found at the scene. As a class, talk about how fossils teach people about ancient life on Earth. Then find a story in the newspaper about scientists studying life on Earth today. Discuss what scientists have learned and draw a picture to show the results.

Learning Standards: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance; explaining how fossils provide evidence about the nature of ancient life; showing how science concepts can be interpreted through creative expression such as language arts and fine arts.

4. Black Navy Hero

February is Black History Month, and one of the first African American heroes of World War II is among four U.S. Navy sailors who have been honored with their picture on postage stamps. Doris "Dorie" Miller, a Navy man who served with distinction during the attack on Pearl Harbor, was honored with a stamp that was issued this month by the U.S. Postal Service. Miller inspired thousands of Americans for his actions on the battleship West Virginia, when the U.S. Navy was attacked by Japanese fighter planes on December 7, 1941. Although he was a dining room mess attendant -- the only type of job open to African Americans in the Navy at that time -- he helped rescue dozens of shipmates who were wounded or trapped in the wreckage of the ship. With a partner, celebrate Black History Month by finding an African American in the newspaper who is inspiring people today. Write a paragraph explaining why people find this person inspiring.

Learning Standards: Describing, comparing and explaining the locations and characteristics of races, cultures and settlements; locating and describing the diverse places, cultures and communities of major world regions; identifying and explaining how individuals in history demonstrate good character and personal virtue.

5. Space Shuttle Milestone

For nearly 33 years, space shuttles have been flying missions for America's NASA space agency. Last week the space shuttle Endeavour took off on a new mission, and made a little history. Endeavour took off for the International Space Station at night in what is likely to be the last night-time launch for the shuttle program. Just four more missions are scheduled for shuttles this year, before NASA ends the program. Endeavour was carrying a new room for the Space Station, which will include an observation deck and exercise equipment for astronauts. As a class, talk about what it would be like to live and work on the International Space Station. Then draw a comic strip for the newspaper showing you doing experiments or work in space.

Learning Standards: Explaining how we learn about the universe; explaining how scientists decide what constitutes scientific knowledge; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically.