1. Albert Einstein

Physicist Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879. Einstein is most famous for coming up with the theory of relativity. Find an article in the newspaper about something going on in the world of science. Write a list of five questions related to the article. The questions can be about a scientific concept, a research method, a specific scientist or anything else. Then do some research in books and online to find the answers to your questions.

Learning Standard: Asking questions that help them learn about the world; designing and conducting investigations using appropriate methodology and technology; learning from books and other sources of information; communicating their findings using appropriate technology; and reconstructing previously learned knowledge. Constructing new scientific knowledge.

2. Don't Gum Things Up

The Republic of Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. Yet the island country has huge control over the way its people act. A world-famous example is Singapore's ban on chewing gum. Since 1992 it has been illegal to sell it there because the government says gum causes sticky litter that can mess up sidewalks, floors or even subway doors. This month a member of Singapore's parliament legislature asked that the ban be lifted to give Singapore citizens more freedom. The government said no. "Our efforts at creating a clean, green and safe living environment" are more important than the freedom to chew gum, a top government leader said. As a class, talk about rules governments make that limit what people can do to keep people safe or improve communities. As a class or with a partner, find an example of such a rule in the newspaper. Write a complete sentence stating why the rule was made.

Learning Standards: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views and applying democratic values; considering the effects of an individual's actions on other people, how one acts in accordance with the rule of law and how one acts in a virtuous and ethically responsible way as a member of society.

3. Language

Millions of people rely on Google's translation tool to translate Web pages on the Internet. Google Translate can handle 52 languages, and Google is working on adding others. A spokesperson for Google recently said that the company also wants to combine its translation tool with image analysis, so a user could give Google a photo of, for example, a Spanish text, and have it automatically translated into English. Find an article in the newspaper about another new way technology is being used to help people in their jobs or lives. Write a paragraph describing what the technology allows people to do, why that is helpful and what might be the next advance of this technology.

Learning Standards: Showing how common themes of science, mathematics and technology apply in real world contexts; using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, clarifying information, and learning complex procedures; using a variety of resources, including technology, to explore and create texts.

4. Africa

Wild elephants ran though a village in the African country of Angola earlier this month, trampling farms and houses and causing residents to flee. The elephants came from Botswana, a neighboring country. Most of Angola's own wildlife was wiped out during a violent 27-year civil war. Using the newspaper and online sources, gather information about an endangered species in Africa. Pretend you're a member of an environmental or conservation organization, like the World Wildlife Fund. Create a pamphlet designed to raise money to help save or help the animal.

Learning Standard: Explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; implementing strategies to regulate effects of variables of the communication process; selecting a format for a message to influence the receiver's response; representing creatively.

5. Jobs

There are more job openings this year than late last year, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Labor. The number of job openings in January rose about 7.6 percent compared with December. That's a good sign for the economy. Pick a job mentioned in the newspaper. Make a list of qualifications someone would need to be successful at that job, including skills and personality traits. Write a paragraph explaining whether or not you'd be a good fit for that job.

Learning Standards: Responding to a variety of oral, visual, written and electronic texts by making connections to students' personal lives and the lives of others; writing fluently for multiple purposes.