1. Like Fish Out of Water

Roadside memorials usually honor humans who have lost their lives in automobile crashes. In Irvine, California, animal activists are lobbying for a highway sign memorializing the 16,000 pounds of saltwater bass that died October 11 when the truck hauling the fish to market was in a three-vehicle crash. Irvine officials turned down the request. But just like us, fish value their lives and feel pain, said a spokesman for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Do you think fish feel pain and, if so, should fish that die on the highway — admittedly, an unusual occurrence — be memorialized? How about deer and other road kill? With the newspaper and Internet, check out the arguments in Irvine. Then write a short newspaper editorial or letter to the editor outlining your views.

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

2. Racist Remark Ramifications

A Turlock, California, woman found out the hard way that it’s not OK to exercise your First Amendment rights to free speech when talking about the President of the United States. Denise Helms posted on her Facebook page, “And another 4 years of the [N-word]. Maybe he will get assassinated this term..!!” Her posting drew the attention of the Secret Service, which protects the President, and the service has started an investigation into her statements. In addition, she was fired from her job after a director called her comments “disgusting.” Helms was interviewed by television stations about her remarks, and she defended what she said. She even went so far as to say she wouldn’t mind if someone assassinated Barack Obama. Search your newspaper and the Internet about the case or other cases of racially charged speech. As a class discuss how communities or the nation should deal with hate speech, and what actions should be taken in response.

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

3. Protecting History

The pyramids, the Sphinx and other treasures in the African nation of Egypt are being threatened by a terrorist named Murgan Salem al-Gohary. Al-Gohary recently went on Egyptian television and called on Muslims to destroy these ancient wonders, because God had told the Muslim prophet Muhammad to destroy all idols, such as statues. According to news reports, al-Gohary said the Sphinx and the pyramids are idols that are worshipped. Claiming to have served in the Taliban terrorist group, he noted that he and fellow Taliban members destroyed Buddha statues in Afghanistan when they were in control there. The Egyptian government is taking steps to protect the pyramids and the Sphinx. Search the newspaper and the Internet for articles about the Sphinx, the pyramids and other Egyptian antiquities. Do additional research about their history and threats against them. Write an essay in the style of a newspaper story about how and when they were built, how they have survived through history and their importance to the Egyptian people. Create a model or draw an illustration of the pyramids or the Sphinx to go with your essay.

Common Core/National Standard: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; knowing the different visual characteristics and purposes of art to convey ideas.

4. Standing Up for Elders

Who protects the old and infirm? In the case of Arizona resident Marie Long, not the state’s legal system. Long is a 91-year-old widow who was worth $1.3 million when she suffered a stroke in 2005. She came under the “protection” of the state’s probate court, and by 2009 the money was gone. According to a column in the Arizona Republic, the commissioner in charge of her case, Lindsay Ellis, made rulings that “the attorneys and fiduciaries were justified in helping themselves to well over $1 million.” On top of that, several attorneys who volunteered their services to help Long fight the taking of her money met resistance at the Superior Court level and recently were refused a hearing by the state’s Supreme Court. Search the newspaper and the Internet for cases in which senior citizens are taken advantage of. As a class, debate what should be done to protect them.

Common Core/National Standard: Responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarizing points of agreement and disagreement.

5. Shame vs. Jail

An Ohio judge recently ordered Shena Hardin to stand at an intersection holding a sign reading, “Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus.” The Ohio judge isn’t the only one to use shame as a deterrent. A Texas couple must stand outside a mall for five hours every weekend for six years holding a sign that reads, “I Am a Thief.” Another Texas man had to spend 30 nights sleeping in a doghouse after pleading guilty to whipping his stepson. Search your newspaper and the Internet for unusual sentences given to offenders. As a class, talk about what sentences would be appropriate, and which would not. Write a paragraph or two detailing some ideas of your own for appropriate but unusual sentences.

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