1. Arctic Animal Report

Scientists all over the world are worried that melting sea ice may endanger animals that live in the Arctic region around the Earth's North Pole. But not all the news is bad. While animals that live nearest to the North Pole are disappearing, a new study shows that the overall number of animals in the Arctic is increasing. The report by the United Nations and other groups has found that the number of birds, mammals and fish across the Arctic has increased by about 16 percent since 1970. Animals are doing best in the most southern parts of the Arctic, where their number is up 46 percent since 1970. In the most northern areas, however, their number has dropped 25 percent in the same time period. Animals having the most problems are those like polar bears that live on sea ice. As a class, talk about the ways that changes in habitat affect the way wildlife live. Then find a wild animal in the photos, stories or ads of the newspaper. Write out three things that are most important to the animal in its habitat. Then write a sentence describing what would happen if one of these things changed.

Learning Standards: Explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; conducting scientific investigations; creating a thesis or hypothesis.

2. Made by Nature or People?

Pictures can teach you a lot. Look through today's newspaper for pictures. Then cut out various objects in the pictures. Decide whether each object was made by nature or was made by people. Make an art collage for each category and present your findings to the class.

Learning Standards: Developing an awareness of and sensitivity to the natural world; classifying objects according to type.

3. Less Salt

Everyone knows that getting exercise and eating healthy foods will make kids more healthy. And one of the keys to healthy eating is choosing fewer snacks or fast foods that contain salt, sugar or fats. The Pepsi and Coca-Cola companies already have announced plans to stop selling sugary drinks in U.S. schools, and last week PepsiCo announced it is taking more steps. PepsiCo said it plans to cut the amount of salt (sodium) in its Pepsi drinks and Frito-Lay chips by one-fourth in five years. Over the next 10 years it said it would also reduce the sugar in foods and drinks by 25 percent and fats by 15 percent. The Kraft Foods company and Campbell's Soup also have responded to calls from parents, schools and health leaders to reduce the amount of salt in foods in coming years. As a class, talk about foods that are healthy choices for snacks. Then design a grocery ad for the newspaper showing these foods in a way that would make families want to buy them.

Learning Standard: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance; comprehending what constitutes good health and nutrition; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically.

4. Spring Pools

Every year in springtime, some amazing things happen in nature. One of the most amazing is the way frogs, toads, salamanders and other amphibians use temporary "spring pools" to lay eggs and breed. Spring pools are also called "vernal pools" because "vernal" is another word for "spring" in the ancient language of Latin. Spring pools are formed in low areas when snow melts. Frogs and other creatures use them for laying their eggs because there are no fish there that could eat the eggs or babies. Many nature groups now offer tours of spring pools, which often feature young frogs and toads singing as "spring peepers." Spring pools may only last several weeks or a month before drying up, but they play a key role in the ecosystem. As a class, talk about changes that occur in nature when spring comes. Then pretend you are a creature affected by spring changes in nature. Draw a comic strip for the newspaper showing how you are affected as this creature.

Learning Standards: Explaining ecosystem concepts; using the craft of the illustrator to express ideas artistically.

5. Attack Chili

Chili peppers are vegetables that have a very hot taste. They are used to spice up foods and give meals a "kick." Now military leaders in the Asian country of India have decided to use them to create a weapon. The Indian military has announced that it will use "ghost chilis" to make tear-gas hand grenades to use against terrorists or other opponents. The ghost chili is considered the world's spiciest chili by the Guinness World Records organization. It is more than 120 times hotter than the hottest jalapeno peppers, according to chemical tests, and its smell can cause people to cough and leave them disabled. As a class, talk about ways scientists find new uses for things. In groups or alone, brainstorm a new use for something your family uses. Design an ad or poster for the newspaper telling people about your idea.

Learning Standards: Responding to a variety of texts by making connections to students' personal lives and the lives of others; reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing critically and representing creatively.