1. Oprah

Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin wrote a book that's going to be released next month. Her first major interview to promote the book will be with Oprah Winfrey on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Which person making news would you like to interview? Pretend you're a talk show host and pick someone to interview on your show. Using the newspaper and online sources, read about the person and write a list of 10 questions you'd ask him or her. Make sure the questions show you did some background research.

Learning Standard: Demonstrating, analyzing and reflecting upon the skills and processes used to communicate through listening, speaking, viewing, reading and writing.

2. Halloween Twist

Read an interesting article in today's newspaper. Then, in honor of Halloween, use a few of the events from the article as the basis for a creative ghost story, or another kind of supernatural or creepy tale. When you have finished, create an interesting illustration for your story. Then, read your story to the class--with feeling! For added fun, see if you can read your stories to a class of younger students.

Learning Standard: Identifying and using aspects of the craft of the speaker, writer and illustrator to formulate and express ideas artistically.

3. Tuition

A report released last week by the College Board says that average tuition prices for college increased sharply this fall. The good news in the report is that the estimated price an average student actually pays, after factoring in financial aid, is much lower than the tuition numbers. In addition to financial aid, many students are eligible for scholarships. Read about how people pay for college in articles in the newspaper and online. Then write a letter explaining why you should receive a college scholarship. It can focus on one area you excel in, or cover several topics.

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

4. Pop

Artist Roy Lichtenstein was born on October 27, 1923. His works, which were created in the "pop art" style and heavily influenced by advertising and comic books, hang in famous museums across the country. Using books and online sources, read about pop art and look at examples of Lichtenstein's paintings. Then pick an article in the newspaper that interests you. Create a pop art-style drawing or painting that represents the article. Share your creation with the class.

Learning Standards: Representing creatively; identifying and using aspects of the craft of the speaker, writer and illustrator to formulate and express ideas artistically; analyzing the style and characteristics of authors, actors and artists of classics and masterpieces to determine why these styles and voices endure.

5. Black Tuesday

On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashed, an event that contributed to the Great Depression and a worldwide economic downturn. Imagine you have been given 100 shares in today's stock market in two companies listed on the stock exchange. You get to decide which companies you want to invest in and which percentage of your shares will be from each company. Follow your shares in the newspaper throughout the week and report the results to the class in a short oral presentation.

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.

Name of Company A:

_________________________________________

Number of shares (out of 100):

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Monday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Monday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Tuesday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Tuesday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Wednesday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Wednesday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Thursday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Thursday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Friday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Friday:

_________________________________________

Name of Company B:

_________________________________________

Number of shares (out of 100):

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Monday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Monday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Tuesday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Tuesday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Wednesday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Wednesday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Thursday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Thursday:

_________________________________________

Worth of 1 share on Friday:

_________________________________________

Total worth of your shares in this company on Friday:

_________________________________________