1. MLK

Civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. Among his many talents and achievements, he was a great orator whose speeches moved and inspired audiences. Read an article in today's newspaper about an issue that is important to you. Write a short speech — about two minutes long — that takes a position on the issue. Present it to the class-with feeling!

Common Core/National Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; demonstrating ability to use different voices in oral and written communication to persuade, inform, entertain and inspire audiences.

2. Pipeline Spills

Flooding and riverbed erosion have caused pipeline breaks that have dumped millions of gallons of crude oil and other hazardous liquids into U.S. waterways. The U.S. Department of Transportation has reported to Congress on 16 spills in the last two decades, a threat to drinking water supplies and increased potential for environmental damage. The spills cost companies a total of almost $200 million in property damages, lost product, cleanup work and other expenses. Federal rules require that pipelines be buried four feet below riverbeds, but some say this should be deeper to protect them if soil is scoured away by floodwaters. The report was requested by Congress in an effort to determine whether the nation’s pipeline rules should be revised. One senator has contended there are “pretty clear holes in pipeline oversight.” In the newspaper or online, find a story about an environmental risk or problem. Write paragraph summarizing the problem and offering a possible solution.

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

3. ‘Black Beauty’ in Space

Over the years, about 65 meteorites from the planet Mars have landed on Earth — mostly in Antarctica and the Sahara Desert in the northern part of Africa. But a new one found in 2011 in the African nation of Morocco has excited scientists. That’s because this black, baseball-sized space rock is older than most (about 2 billion years old) and, like rocks examined on the surface of Mars by NASA space rovers, it contains minerals that show signs of water. “Black Beauty,” as the meteorite has been nicknamed, was donated to the University of New Mexico by an American who bought it last year from a Moroccan dealer. And it may help scientists understand how Mars changed from a tropical environment over time to the frigid desert it is today. As a class, talk about the different things scientists are studying in space. Then find a story about a space discovery in the newspaper or on the website www.NASA.gov. Write a paragraph describing one recent discovery.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

4. Air Passengers Armed

More and more weapons are being confiscated at United States airports. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration reports that a record 1,500 firearms were detected by screeners last year, up from 1,300 in 2011. Most of the guns were loaded. Passengers with proper permits are allowed to fly with guns that are unloaded and safely stored in checked baggage. When weapons are found in carry-on luggage or on a passenger, police are summoned. The most common type of confiscated gun was a .380 automatic pistol, but airport officials also detected stun guns, grenades and even rocket launchers. See what you can learn about weapons regulations in airports through your newspaper or online. Then with the newspaper or Internet, find a story about air travel. Write a summary of the article, answering the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the story.

Common Core/National Standard: Asking and answering such questions as who, what, where, when, why and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

5. Jolly Roger on Strike?

Sports fans know and love their teams’ mascots, but not many know the mascots may soon go on strike. That’s right, the collective bargaining agreement between the four major professional sports leagues and the Mascots and Oversized-animals Organization (MOO) is due to expire at 11:59 p.m. on January 21. MOO is asking for “standardized dressing rooms that recognize the unique challenges of individuals with enormous heads.” It also wants an enhanced pension plan; improvement in mascot insurance; and increased roadside assistance for those “required to operate golf carts … or other vehicles.” The owners warn that they are ready to employ replacement mascots, if necessary, to which the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Captain Jolly Roger responded, “Aargh, scabs.” Jolly Roger then added that people need to remember that “underneath it all, mascots are people, too.” As a class, discuss what it would be like working as a sports mascot, and what the major challenges would be. Then use the newspaper or Internet to find stories or photos involving major league sports mascots. Draw a comic strip for the newspaper showing two or more mascots discussing their jobs.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points.