1. Too Much Salt

Most adults consume too much salt, the World Health Organization has concluded in a study, and that’s not healthy. Sodium intake should be no more than 1,500 milligrams a day, the American Heart Association says, but the WHO study concludes that the average American absorbs 3,600 milligrams (and worldwide, the average is even higher). This includes table salt, commercially prepared foods and salt and soy sauce added during cooking, as well as “restaurant, take-out and highly-processed convenience foods,” one dietitian notes. In the short run, too much salt leads to fluid retention, raised blood volume and high blood pressure; over the longer term, it can lead to kidney and heart disease. Use the newspaper and Internet to find stories about salt and other foods that have impact on healthy diet and nutrition. Write a short opinion piece outlining ways people could improve their diet.

Common Core/National Standard: Writing opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

2. Do Scots Want Out?

For more than 300 years, Scotland has been part of the United Kingdom in Europe, along with England and Wales. In September 2014, however, Scots will vote on whether to go it alone as an independent country. The referendum has been set by the Scottish Parliament, controlled by the Scottish National Party. That party, which advocates independence, was swept to power in an election two years ago, but this does not assure the outcome. Every credible poll has indicated interest in greater autonomy, but that a majority of Scots do not favor secession. As a class, find a story about the Scottish independence move in the newspaper or online. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of independence for Scotland. Take a vote at the end.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarizing points of agreement engaging and disagreement; engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.

3. $50 a Coyote Pelt

To residents out west, the coyote is a nuisance — enough of a nuisance that the state of Utah is paying a bounty of $50 each for killing the animals. In six months, the remains of nearly 6,000 coyotes have been turned in to the state’s Division of Wildlife Services. The Utah Legislature’s “Predator Control” initiative allows as many as 10,000 coyotes to be killed. “We’re not trying to kill them all off,” a state official has explained, “but we’ve got to figure out ways to manage the damage they do.” Officially, the aim of the program is to protect the mule deer, a symbol of Utah, on which coyotes prey. The mule deer is a favorite of hikers and people who hunt. Hunting and wildlife appreciation are said to bring $2.3 billion annually to the state’s economy. Environmentalists oppose the bounty program. Wildlife are an asset to natural areas, but too many of a species can be a problem. Find a story or photo involving wildlife in the newspaper or online. Write a paragraph describing what the effects would be if the species population doubled or tripled.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

4. A Ratty Short-Circuit

An extended blackout disabled vital cooling systems at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, but the cause was not technological. Apparently, the switchboard was short-circuited by a rat gnawing on cables. Tokyo Electric Power Company engineers found the rat’s scorched body inside the faulty switchboard. The power failure had cut off the flow of cooling water to pools used to store nuclear fuel rods, and it took days to restore cooling to the pools. It was a scary reminder of the plant’s continuing vulnerability. Two years earlier, it had a triple meltdown after a huge earthquake and tsunami knocked out its cooling systems — the worst nuclear disaster in 27 years. Nuclear power has been controversial since the first plants were built, but it now is getting new attention. Find a story about U.S. interest in this power source in the newspaper or online. Write a summary of who supports it, and why.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

5. The Real Thing’s a No-No

Consumers are concerned — and should be — about whether products they are buying are the real thing or fake, but in one industry, the issue is exactly reversed. Three major retailers have settled federal claims that the “faux” fur they’ve been selling is not really fake at all — it’s actually rabbit, raccoon or even mink fur. The demand for faux fur stems from pressure by animal protection groups. Many consumers no longer want real fur, so manufacturers and retailers are trying to meet the new demand. As a result, some products have been mislabeled. Use the newspaper and Internet to find stories about the increasingly successful campaign against furs waged by organizations protecting animals. Use what you find to write a short editorial giving your view on whether people should be able to buy real fur clothing.

Common Core/National Standards: Writing opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.