1. Desert Crack

Scientists think that a 35-mile-long crack in the desert in the country of Ethiopia in Africa will eventually turn into a new ocean. After studying the crack the scientists determined that the way it formed -- after a volcano erupted -- is identical to what goes on at the bottom of oceans. In groups, use the newspaper, books and online sources to create a presentation about the ways oceans are important to people and nations. Include ideas for things people can do, or not do, to help curb the pollution when using ocean resources.

Learning Standard: Explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; Explaining the causes and importance of global issues involving cultural stability and change, economic development and international trade, resource use, environmental impact, conflict and cooperation, and explaining how they may affect the future.

2. Be Nice

This week is World Kindness Week. That means that people are trying to do favors and nice things for one another. You could help your mom carry groceries in, for example, or offer to clean a yard for a neighbor, or teach a younger kid to play a sport. Read a story from today's newspaper about somebody who did something kind for another person. Now discuss times when somebody did something nice for you, and how that made you feel. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper suggesting ways people could do nice things for each other this week.

Learning Standards: Responding to the ideas and feelings generated by oral, visual, written and electronic texts, and sharing with peers; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

3. Big Bird & Co.

The "Sesame Street" TV show made its debut on November 10, 1969. For 40 years the show has blended entertainment and education to teach kids academic and social skills. In groups, come up with a lesson that uses the newspaper to teach a basic skill to young children, such as adding numbers or identifying letters. Teach your lesson to the rest of the class.

Learning Standards Communicating information accurately and effectively and demonstrating expressive abilities by creating oral, written and visual texts that enlighten and engage an audience; assessing their use of elements of effective communication in personal, social, occupational and civic contexts.

4. Impressions

On November 11, 1987, a painting by Vincent van Gogh was auctioned off for a record-breaking $49 million. The buyer also had to pay the auction house a commission, making the total price almost $54 million. The painting, called "Irises," shows the garden of the mental hospital where Van Gogh was a patient. Van Gogh painted in the Impressionist style. Look up paintings by Van Gogh and other Impressionists. Then make an Impressionist drawing, painting or collage based on an article in the newspaper.

Learning Standard: Analyzing the style and characteristics of authors, actors and artists of classics and masterpieces to determine why these voices endure; representing creatively.

5. Local Customs

Last week, French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss died. He was 100 years old. Anthropology is the study of people, including their culture, customs and traditions. Some anthropologists study how a group of people lived in the past, and some look at how people live now in different parts of the world. Using the newspaper and your own knowledge, write an objective anthropological report on your town or city, pretending you're an outsider observing the locals' customs. Think about how the locals interact with each other, what events they attend, what holidays they celebrate and what makes news in their society.

Learning Standard: Reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing critically and representing creatively.