1. Vroom

The Detroit Auto Show is in full swing this week. The Auto Show is a great place to check out the newest designs and ideas from car manufacturers. Check out an article about a car in this week's newspapers. Then think of some inventive technological features you might like on a car of the future. Design a new type of car, and give it a dynamic name. Using the article you read as a guide, write an article about your car.

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

2. The Pit and the Pendulum

Edgar Allan Poe, author of such spooky classics as "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart," was born on January 19, 1809. In honor of his birthday, use an event you find in today's newspaper as a launching pad for your imagination, and write an eerie poem or story of your own. Share your work with the rest of the class.

Learning Standard: Writing fluently for multiple purposes to produce compositions, such as stories, reports, letters, plays and explanations of processes.

3. Google It

Google has apologized to a group of Chinese authors concerned about copyrights. Google scanned the authors' books into its online library. The authors are now arguing that by digitizing their books without their permission, Google is infringing on their copyrights. In response, Google issued an apology and said it is working on figuring out a solution. In the newspaper or online, find an article about people or companies arguing over an intellectual property issue, such as a copyright or trademark. Write a summary of the article. Include your opinion on how the issue should be resolved.

Learning Standard: Researching and explaining how a particular public issue became a problem or issue of concern; composing coherent written essays that express a position on a public issue and justifying the position with reasoned arguments.

4. Lose It

A new Web site, www.loseitorloseit.com (Lose It or Lose It), is helping dieters follow their New Year's resolutions by making them put their money where their mouths are. The way it works is this: A dieter comes up with a weight loss goal, in pounds, then gives money to the site. If the dieter reaches the goal in 10 weeks, he or she gets the money back. If not, he or she loses the money. Look through the newspaper for other examples of inventive business ideas. In groups, come up with your own innovative idea for a business. Write up a short business plan, including what kind of business it would be, what your goals are and what you would need to get started. Share your plan with the class to see which group came up with the best one.

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

5. Watch It

A new study from researchers in Australia found that each hour a day spent watching TV is linked with an 18 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease. The problem is that for many people TV watching means sitting still for prolonged periods of time.

Find an activity mentioned in the newspaper that's a healthy alternative to plopping down in front of the TV for hours. Design a newspaper or magazine advertisement geared toward kids, teens or adults that promotes the activity. Present your ad to the class and explain why it would be effective in reaching its intended audience.

Learning Standards: Using strategies to regulate the effects of variables on the communication process; designing a communication environment for maximum impact on the receiver.