1. Politics

A new poll indicates that young Republicans, ages 18-29, are more involved in politics than young Democrats. In the poll, conducted by Harvard University's Institute of Politics, 41 percent of young Republicans said they definitely plan to vote in the next election, compared to 35 percent of Democrats. In groups, find articles about Republican and Democratic opinions on three different issues. For each issue discuss which side you agree with, and why. Do you tend to favor the Republican or the Democratic view? Or neither?

Learning Standard: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values, anticipating consequences and working toward making decisions.

2. Beware the Ides of March

The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C.E. In William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," the ruler is told by a soothsayer to "beware the Ides of March" -- which was the Roman way of saying March 15. Imagine you are a soothsayer writing a horoscope for a newsmaker. The message will be sent to the person on March 15, 2010. What would you say?

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

3. Detroit

In Michigan, the City of Detroit is talking about turning some blighted neighborhoods filled with abandoned houses back into farmland. The city would tear down houses, move residents into other neighborhoods and plant fields and farms to replace the houses. According to a recent Associated Press article, Detroit has an estimated 33,500 vacant houses and 91,000 vacant residential lots. Using the newspaper for ideas, come up with other ways the government, businesses, schools, community groups or individual people could address a problem, or problems, in Detroit or another city. Write a letter to the mayor of the city outlining your ideas.

Learning Standards: Composing coherent written essays that express a position on a public issue and justifying the position with reasoned arguments; conducting an investigation prompted by a social science question and comparing alternative interpretations of the findings.

4. Bananas

A company in Australia has come up with a new line of underwear made from an unusual material: bananas. The underwear, made from the bark of banana trees and cotton, is being touted as environmentally friendly. Look for other examples of innovative products in this week's newspaper. Or find examples online. In groups, come up with an inventive idea for a product. It can be serious or silly. Draw a sketch or diagram of your product. Share it with the class.

Learning Standard: Reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing critically and representing creatively; engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance.

5. Iraq

On March 20, 2003, the United States launched missiles on targets in Baghdad, the capital of the Middle East country of Iraq. The attack marked the beginning of a U.S.-led campaign to remove Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein. Seven years later, more than 100,000 U.S. troops are still in Iraq. Using the newspaper and online news sources, write a summary of what's currently going on in Iraq. As a class, discuss what you learned.

Learning Standard: Understanding how the world is organized politically, the formation of American foreign policy and the roles the United States plays in the international arena; acquiring information from multiple sources; explaining how a particular public issue became a problem or issue of concern.