1. Rated "G"

The Motion Picture Association of America established its movie rating system in November 1968. The system is designed to let audiences know what to expect from a movie and for whom it would be appropriate. The current system includes: G, for all ages; PG, meaning some content may not be appropriate for younger kids; PG-13; meaning some content may not be appropriate for kids under 13; and R, meaning the content is for adults. In groups, look through the newspaper and find articles that fit into the different categories for movie ratings. For example, a story about a new playground would be G, while a review of a scary murder mystery novel might be PG-13 or even R. Try to find an article for every category. For each article, write a sentence explaining why you think it falls into the category you selected.

Learning Standards: Using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, clarifying information and learning complex procedures; developing and applying critical standards for individual use.

2. Learn from the Setting

The setting of a story--where it takes place--can often be important to understanding the action that takes place. This is true in real-life stories as well as fiction. Scan the newspaper for a news story that interests you. On a sheet of paper, write out where the story takes place. Then write three ways the place affects what goes on in the story--or how it could affect future events. Share ideas as a class.

Learning Standard: Responding thoughtfully to classic and contemporary texts.

3. Stats

The NBA season just started, and basketball fans are anxiously watching their favorite teams to see how they'll do this year. Use newspaper articles and online sources to make a chart comparing the statistics of your favorite team with the statistics of three others. Then write a prediction, based on the chart, for which team will be the most successful this season.

Learning Standards: Collecting and exploring data, organizing data into a useful form, and developing skill in representing and reading data displayed in different formats; organizing data using tables, charts, graphs, spreadsheets and data bases.

4. Day of the Dead

From October 31 through November 2, families in Mexico celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This holiday, which is also celebrated by Mexican Americans and residents of other Hispanic countries, honors relatives and other loved ones who have died. In groups, use the newspaper and online sources to find another example of a holiday celebrated in a country other than the United States. Research the history and traditions associated with it. Give an oral presentation to the class, explaining what you learned in your research.

Learning Standard: Describing, comparing and explaining the locations and characteristics of races, cultures and settlements.

5. Tut

After years of searching, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the entrance to King Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt in November 1922. Other kings' tombs had been found years before, but King Tut's tomb was hidden deep under piles of sand and rock. King Tut is known as the boy king because he was only a kid when he became ruler of Egypt. How would you rule if you were the head of the country? Look through the newspaper and pick three problems in the United States that are making news. For each, use the newspaper and online sources to write a paragraph explaining how you'd try to fix the problem.

Learning Standard: Conducting investigations by formulating a clear statement of a question, gathering and organizing information from a variety of sources, analyzing and interpreting information, formulating and testing hypotheses, reporting results both orally and in writing, and making use of appropriate technology.