1. Here and There

The newspaper is a great place to learn about the world. With family or friends, look at the front page of today's paper. Decide which articles take place in the United States and which articles are about events in other parts of the world. Discuss ways to figure out the difference. Then use the Internet, an encyclopedia or library resources to learn more about one country that interests you. Make a poster showing what you learned.

Learning Standards: Distinguishing between events in this country and events abroad; representing creatively.

2. There and Here

With family or friends, read an article in today's newspaper about events that have happened somewhere else in the world. Were any Americans mentioned in the article? If so, why? Discuss ways in which the events that happened in the article could affect Americans in the United States. Draw a picture showing the most important event in the story.

Learning Standards: Recognizing that events in other countries can affect Americans; using the craft of the illustrator to express ideas artistically.

3. 'There's No Place Like Home'

"The Wizard of Oz" opened in movie theaters around the United States on August 25, 1939. The film is based on a children's book from 1900 called "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. The film was one of the first 25 to be included on the National Film Registry, which recognizes culturally and/or historically important movies. Turn to the movie listings in the newspaper. Choose a movie you have seen and write a movie review. Include a description about the movie without giving away the ending. Also, write about what you liked and didn't like about the movie and what ages you think the movie is right for.

Learning Standards: Reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing critically and representing creatively.

4. Healthy Law

The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill to make school lunches healthier. The $4.5 billion child nutrition law creates new rules for all foods available in schools, including lunches and vending-machine snacks and drinks. Under the new rules, schools can still serve food like pizza, but it would need to be made with healthier ingredients, such as whole-wheat dough or low-fat cheese. Vending machines would need to have less candy and high-calorie drinks. Find an article in the newspaper about a law in your community, state or country. What is the purpose of the law and whom does it protect? Do you think it is a good law? Why or why not?

Learning Standards: Explaining how the rule of law protects individual rights and serves the common good; acquiring information from multiple sources and then organizing and analyzing it.

5. The Way the Cookie Crumbles

The Pillsbury Doughboy's company has threatened to take legal action against a small bakery in Salt Lake City, Utah, if the owner doesn't change the business name. Tami Cromar owns My Dough Girl, a bakery that sells about a dozen different kinds of fresh baked cookies and frozen dough. General Mills, which owns Pillsbury, said that Cromar must change her bakery's name because it is too similar to their trademarked Pillsbury Doughboy. Cromar started the business in 2008 and had about $100,000 in sales last year. All the money she made went back into the business. General Mills is the sixth-largest food company in the world, and in fiscal year 2009 had global sales of almost $16 billion. Look through the ads in the newspaper to find two businesses that compete against one another, such as two toy stores. Make a list of ways the businesses are alike and ways the businesses are different. Which store do you prefer? Why? Write your ideas in a paragraph.

Learning Standards: Using a real example, describing how business practices, profit, and a willingness to take risks, enabled an entrepreneur to operate; writing fluently for multiple purposes.