1. Smiles Are Great!

Smiles can make a great difference in how people see you. A New York first grader named Charisma taught her teacher that one day when the teacher was feeling grouchy. "Smile, Ms. Landry," Charisma said. "You're pretty when you smile." To celebrate smiles, go through the newspaper and cut out three pictures of people smiling. Write a paragraph describing what you like about the smiles of these people, and what their smiles make you feel about them. Did you know the toothbrush that keeps smiles healthy today was invented in China more than 500 years ago? The Chinese attached stiff hog's hair to sticks of bone or bamboo to make the first modern toothbrushes.

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

2. Get Down with Science

Millions of people have been born and died in the last 110 years. But one light bulb has been burning brightly that whole time. According to an article in Time magazine, the bulb is in a fire station in Livermore, California, and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest burning bulb. The bulb was designed by scientist and inventor Adolphe Chailet, who competed with Thomas Edison to make the best light bulb. With family or friends, find a newspaper article about some kind of scientific research. Write a complete sentence stating what the research hopes to find out. For fun, come up with a science experiment to do with your family this summer.

Learning Standards: Understanding scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations; reading with developing fluency in a variety of texts.

3. Olympic Excitement

The 2012 Summer Olympics don't start for another year in the European country of Great Britain, but tickets already are going fast. People are excited about getting a chance to see history made by such athletes as American swimmer Michael Phelps, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt or members of top soccer teams like those from Mexico and France. An Associated Press story reported that two-thirds of the people who applied to get tickets weren't successful. Only 700,000 people, mostly from Great Britain, split 3 million tickets that were available during a recent six-week period. Another 2.3 million tickets will go on sale June 24, and those who missed out on the first round will get another chance. Already tickets for track cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, the triathlon, modern pentathlon and an equestrian horse competition are sold out. With family or friends, find a newspaper article about an Olympic athlete or event. Or find one online. Draw a picture of an event you would like to attend if you could get tickets.

Learning Standards: Applying artistic processes and skills, using a variety of media to communicate meaning and intent in original works of art; acquiring information from written, visual and electronic sources.

4. Over the Falls

Every year, tourists from around the world travel to northern New York State to see the spectacular Niagara Falls. It is safe to say most won't see it as Charles Blondin did back on June 30, 1859. The Frenchman was a tightrope walker who had been inspired by circus performers when he was just 5 years old. Practicing on a tightrope he rigged in his backyard, he eventually worked with the Ravel Troupe and even performed with the P.T. Barnum circus. During a trip to Niagara Falls, he became obsessed with tightrope walking across the gorge over the falls. In 1859, he achieved his dream, and because of that stunt, he became very famous and wealthy. Search your newspaper for a story about daredevils or people doing unusual things. Or find an example online. Write and illustrate a fiction story about you doing something daring.

Learning Standards: Reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing strategically and representing creatively; writing fictional narratives.

5. Mmm, Mmm Good

Some towns - like Castroville, California - are famous for what they grow. In Castroville's case, the town claims to be the artichoke capital of the world. Zisiqiao Village in the Asian nation of China is also famous for what it raises. In its case, it's snakes. The people of Zisiqiao raise cobras, vipers, pythons and many other types of snakes for use in exotic food dishes and traditional medicine, according to a report by Reuters news service. Raising snakes brings in millions of dollars to villagers each year. "Today, more than three million snakes are bred in the village every year," the article said. Look in your newspaper's food section. Find a recipe calling for a unique ingredient and write a paragraph explaining why you would like to try it. Then make it with your family or come up with an unusual recipe of your own.

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; understanding the benefits of healthy eating.