1. Scores Take a Dive

Middle school students taking the Nation’s Report Card writing test last year scored worse than they did four years ago. Only 3 percent scored high enough to be rated “advanced,” 24 percent were “proficient” and 74 percent scored at levels that were “basic” or below. Even though many students took the test on computers equipped with spell-check and a thesaurus, the outcomes were not as high as expected. Even with improved technology, the ideas still have to be there, said Debby Zambo, a professor at Arizona State University. “If you don’t like to do something, even if you have a good tool, you still won’t like to do it,” she told the Arizona Republic. Find a newspaper article about student scores on tests. Or find one online. As a class, discuss approaches that would lead to improved student writing scores.

Common Core/National Standard: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.

2. A-mer-i-ca

On September 26, 1957, the musical play "West Side Story" opened on Broadway in New York City. The musical's story is set in a rough New York neighborhood and focuses on the love that an Italian American boy and a Puerto Rican girl share, despite the fact that each is associated with a rival gang. In many ways, the story parallels Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet." Love between individuals from warring communities is a common theme in literature. As a class, make a list of themes that you find in a story you are currently reading for English class. Then find a story in this week's newspaper that touches on one or more of the themes. Compare and contrast the story and the article in a paragraph or short essay.

Common Core/National Standards: Effectively engaging in a range of collaborative discussions; exploring and reflecting on universal themes and substantive issues from oral, visual and written texts. Examples include coming of age, rights and responsibilities, group and individual roles, conflict and cooperation, creativity and resourcefulness.

3. Election 2012: The Future of Education

From now until Election Day on November 6, students everywhere will be learning about issues in this year’s presidential race through articles in the newspaper or online. The Associated Press, for example, has written a very helpful article that outlines the candidates’ stands on top issues. Education is one of them. Republican candidate Mitt Romney supports the testing and accountability requirements of the national “No Child Left Behind” law passed under former President George W. Bush. He said the U.S. Education Department is important in “holding down the interests of the teachers’ unions” and putting kids and parents first. President Barack Obama feels the requirements of “No Child Left Behind” are overwhelming and instituted a “Race to the Top” program that provides cash incentives for schools to improve learning. As a class, find and read articles on the candidates’ positions on education. Then organize a classroom mock election. Divide the class into two groups, with one group being the Republicans and other the Democrats. Over the next several weeks, discuss and debate the positions of the candidates on education. Write a summary of each candidate’s positions.

Common Core/National Standards: Effectively engaging in a range of collaborative discussions; employing the skills of research and public speaking.

4. Stop the Violence

Islam does not preach violence. That is the message being spread by Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America in response to violent outbursts against Americans in the Middle East. Anger against Americans is flaring across that region in response to an anti-Islam video produced by a private United States citizen. Al-Qazwini, whose center is located in Dearborn, Michigan, spoke out against Islamic extremists who attacked U.S. embassies and “urged Muslims not to react violently to attacks on their prophet,” according to a Detroit Free Press article. He also urged U.S. officials to do more to stop the people behind the production and distribution of the video, the article said. He went on to say that Islam teaches that ambassadors and other guests should always be welcomed. “There is no way we can tolerate killing,” Al-Qazwini said. “Al Qaeda is the last organization that speaks for Muslims.” Find a newspaper story about the protests. Or find one online. Write an opinion essay discussing how the United States government should respond.

Common Core/National Standard: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

5. Marriage, Marriage, Marriage

On September 24, 1890, the Mormon Church officially renounced its policy of allowing men to marry more than one woman, a practice known as polygamy. Officials were pressured to change the policy because of federal laws prohibiting polygamy. The federal government was threatening to take away the church’s temples and revoking its rights. The church had been practicing multiple marriages since the 1840s, and historians believe the church’s founder married more than 50 women. Find a newspaper or online article involving the Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a class, discuss some of the misconceptions people may have about the church and its beliefs.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.