1. Not Noisy Enough?

To most people, traffic noise may be annoying, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants new electric and hybrid vehicles to make MORE noise. These cars and trucks are much quieter than most gasoline or diesel vehicles, and the agency fears that at lower speeds, they may not be noisy enough to warn walkers, bicylists and the visually impaired that they are coming. At 18 miles per hour or above, the agency says, the vehicles are loud enough, but it wants automakers to make sure that when moving more slowly, they can be heard over background noises. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed rule, and the agency promises to use these suggestions when it drafts a final regulation. As a class, talk about safety concerns for cars, bicycles and walkers. Then find a story about a safety issue in the newspaper or online. Write a short summary of what the story is about.

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

2. A Great Man

Baseball great Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919. Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, becoming the first African American baseball player in the Major Leagues in the modern era. On the 50th anniversary of his debut, Major League Baseball honored Robinson by retiring his number, 42. The Major Leagues also honor him on Jackie Robinson Day every April 15, the day Robinson first took the field with the Dodgers. Look through the newspaper, or use the Internet, to find someone you think should be honored for something he or she has achieved. Write a newspaper editorial explaining who the person is and why you picked that person.

Common Core/National Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; exploring and reflecting on universal themes and substantive issues from oral, visual and written texts; identifying and explaining how individuals in history demonstrate good character and personal virtue.

3. Super Standoff — Between Brothers!

The Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers will battle for the NFL championship in the Super Bowl on February 3. And for the first time in NFL history, two brothers will be facing off as coaches of the two Super Bowl teams. John Harbaugh is coach of the Ravens, and led them to a 13-6 record in his fifth year as head coach. Jim Harbaugh is coach of the 49ers, and led them to a 13-4-1 record in his second year as head coach. John is the older brother at 50 years old. Jim, an NFL quarterback for 15 years, is 15 months younger. Their dad, Jack Harbaugh, was a longtime football coach himself and gave them lots of early lessons about the game. As a class, talk about what it would be like to face off against a brother or sister in a competitive way. Then discuss the kind of support families give children so that they can be successful. Finish by drawing a comic strip for the newspaper this week, showing the Harbaugh brothers getting ready for the Super Bowl.

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.

4. Not Quite That Long

Subway’s “footlong” sandwich isn’t a foot long — not always, anyhow. But it’s still pretty long. The world’s largest fast food chain, with 38,000 locations, calls its signature sandwich a “footlong,” but a photo circulating on Facebook on the Internet shows the sandwich next to a tape measure that shows it is 11 inches long. On top of that, the New York Post newspaper discovered that four of the seven Subway “footlongs” it checked were less than 12 inches long. More than 100,000 people have commented on the Facebook photo, which had the caption “Subway pls respond.” As a class, talk about different things that are measured in feet. Then pair off with a partner and find examples in the newspaper. Use what you find to create three math word problems. Exchange with classmates and solve each other’s problems.

Common Core/National Standard: Representing and solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

5. A Cat’s Long Trip Home

Cats are not supposed to be animals that migrate. But tell that to Holly. Holly recently returned to her hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida, after her owners lost her two months earlier — and 200 miles away. Jacob and Bonnie Richter had taken Holly with them to an RV camping event in Daytona Beach, Florida, in early November, and she ran away from their trailer, disappearing into the night. On New Year’s Eve, the 4-year-old tortoiseshell cat appeared — staggering, weak and very thin — in a back yard less than a mile from the Richters’ home. The pads on her feet were bleeding, and her claws were worn down, indicating the cat had had a long walk. Reunited with the Richters, she’s doing fine now, thank you, but the mystery persists: How was she able to do it? Talk about ways animals can do amazing things. Then find a story or photo of an animal in the newspaper or online. Write an outline for a story about an adventure this animal might have.

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