1. Nirvana

"Weird" Al Yankovic was born October 23, 1959. He's known for writing and performing parodies of popular songs. He turned Michael Jackson's "Bad" into "Fat," and Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" into "Smells Like Nirvana." A parody is a spoof of something. It keeps the style of the original, as in the "Weird" Al songs, but it pokes fun at it. Pick something going on in the news this week and write an article that parodies it. Share with the class.

Learning Standards: Demonstrating ways in which communication can be influenced through word usage; examples include propaganda, irony, parody and satire; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

2. St. Crispin's Day

On October 25, 1415, the European countries of France and England fought the Battle of Agincourt. The 6,000 English men and boys were led by King Henry V against 20,000 French men. Amazingly, the English won. The battle inspired William Shakespeare to write one of his most famous speeches--the St. Crispin's Day speech in the play "Henry V." Look through today's newspaper for inspiration. Then write a short story that is inspired by something interesting you read about that's happening in the world.

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

3. Zero Tolerance

Six-year-old Zachary Christie of Downes Elementary School in the state of Delaware was suspended for 45 days for bringing a weapon to school. Zachary, who's a Cub Scout, brought in a camping utensil that combines a folding fork, knife and spoon. The school district has a "zero-tolerance" policy for weapons, and the folding knife was counted as a weapon. Some parents and politicians argued that the school should be allowed to evaluate individual cases and, if warranted, relax the rules. When the protests became intense from the community, Zachary's suspension was rescinded. Read articles about the situation in the newspaper or online. Do you think schools should be allowed flexibility in how they enforce rules or no-weapons policies? Write a newspaper editorial outlining your opinion.

Learning Standard: Composing coherent written essays that express a position on a public issue and justifying the position with reasoned arguments.

4. September 11

A Navy ship has been built out of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center towers, which were destroyed in New York City during the attacks of September 11, 2001. The ship, named the USS New York, can carry up to 800 people and has a flight deck for helicopters to land on. In groups, look through the newspaper and online and find other examples of people reusing materials, whether it's recycling aluminum cans, turning scraps into artwork or anything else. Write a summary of what your group found. Then brainstorm a list of ways you, your classmates and your school could reuse materials. Share your ideas with the class.

Learning Standards: Describing how common materials are made and disposed of or recycled; explaining how and why earth materials are conserved and recycled.

5. Senate

The movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" premiered on October 19, 1939. It starred James Stewart as a young U.S. senator fighting corruption in the government. Look through the newspaper and see what today's U.S. senators are up to. Pick one issue being discussed in the Senate and use the newspaper and online sources to write a summary explaining the key points.

Learning Standards: Locating information pertaining to a specific social science topic in depth using a variety of sources and electronic technologies; stating an issue clearly as a question of public policy, tracing the origins of the issue, analyzing various perspectives people bring to the issue and evaluating possible ways to resolve the issue.