1. 'The Tonight Show'

Talk show host Johnny Carson was born on October 23, 1925. He hosted "The Tonight Show" for 30 years. Jay Leno took over after Carson retired. Talk show hosts usually open with a monologue that makes jokes about current events. In groups, read the newspaper to see what's making news this week. Then write a funny opening monologue for a talk show host. Pick one person in your group to read the monologue to the rest of the class.

Learning Standards: Exploring and using the characteristics of different types of texts, aesthetic elements and mechanics to construct and convey meaning; demonstrating expressive abilities by creating oral, written and visual texts that enlighten and engage an audience.

2. Quite a Crow

Scientists who study wildlife worry that many of the Earth's endangered birds and animals could die off and become extinct. But in the Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia, wildlife watchers have gotten some good news. An Indonesian crow long feared to be extinct has been rediscovered in its native habitat in the island nation. The Banggai Crow had last been seen in the wild more than 100 years ago in the year 1900. Talk as a class about reasons birds and animals become endangered or extinct. Then find a story or photo in the newspaper that involves an endangered species in the newspaper (don't forget ads and the sports page). Write a short letter to the editor talking about challenges this species faces.

Learning Standards: Acquiring information from multiple sources; showing how science concepts can be interpreted through creative expression such as language arts and fine arts.

3. Statehood

On October 18, 1867, the United States took control of Alaska. The U.S. had purchased it from Russia. Nearly 92 years later, Alaska became the nation's 49th state. How many U.S. states can you name? In groups, write down as many states as you can think of, without using any resources. Compare your list with the rest of the class to see which group came up with the most. Use an atlas or online map to add the states you forgot, so your group has all 50 on your list. Then read the newspaper this week. When someone in your group finds a state mentioned in the newspaper, check it off on your group's list and write one or two sentences summarizing why it was in the news. See how many states your group can check off.

Learning Standard: Acquiring information from books, maps, newspapers, data sets and other sources; organizing and presenting the information; interpreting the meaning and significance of the information.

4. Xerox

Chester Carlson made the first "xeroxgraphic copy" of a printed piece of paper on October 22, 1938. His invention led to the development of the copy machine. A small company called Haloid then bought the rights to develop the machine. The company later changed its name to Xerox. Look through the articles and ads in the newspaper and find five common devices or products that you, your family or your school use regularly. Write down each product and what it's designed to accomplish. Now pretend those five products don't exist. For each, write a few sentences explaining how you would accomplish the same things without the products.

Learning Standards: Generating scientific questions about the world based on observation; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

5. Character Hunt

Character, a U.S. congressman once said, is how you act when nobody's watching. Having strong character traits can help you succeed in school and in later life. Character traits include such things as courage, honesty, perseverance, self-discipline and caring for others. Use today's newspaper to find people with the character traits below.

Learning Standard: Identifying and explaining how people demonstrate good character and personal virtue; acquiring information from multiple sources and then organizing and analyzing it.

A. Someone you admire:

Three reasons why:

a._____________________________________________

b._____________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________

B. Someone you do not admire:

Three reasons why:

a._____________________________________________

b._____________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________

C. Someone you fear:

Three reasons why:

a._____________________________________________

b._____________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________

D. Someone you think is funny:

Three reasons why:

a._____________________________________________

b._____________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________

Now write a poem or a rap about one of the above people. Recite or perform it for the class, if you feel up to it.