1. Song of Ourselves

Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819. He is best known for his poem "Song of Myself" from his book "Leaves of Grass." The poem celebrates being alive, as an individual and as part of humankind, and uses vivid descriptions and moody words. What kind of mood are you in today? Write a poem or a rap about your emotions or using your emotions. Illustrate your poem with images and/or words from today's newspaper.

Learning Standard: Writing fluently for multiple purposes to produce compositions, such as personal narratives, persuasive essays, lab reports or poetry.

2. Freedom From Fear

On May 28, 1961, The London Observer, a British newspaper, called for the release of all people imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their beliefs. Amnesty International, an organization that seeks to free and protect political prisoners, was founded later that year. As a class, find a story in the newspaper or online about Amnesty International or human rights. Read the article and discuss it. What does the phrase "human rights" mean to you? Write a paragraph giving your definition.

Learning Standard: Engaging peers in conversations about topics of interest or importance; identifying the responses of individuals to historic violations of human dignity involving discrimination, persecution and crimes against humanity.

3. Fishless

Last week the head of the United Nations Environment Program said that oceans might not have any fish left in them by the year 2050, due to overfishing. But the good news is the U.N. says this disaster can be avoided if fishing is discouraged in certain areas and protected zones for fish are created. Read about overfishing or another environmental issue in the newspaper or onlinie. Write a newspaper science article explaining what the situation is and how it should be addressed. Think especially about what should be the beginning paragraph of your article to catch people's attention.

Learning Standard: Describing, comparing and explaining the locations and characteristics of ecosystems, resources, human adaptation, environmental impact and the interrelationships among them; explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; describing positive and negative effects of humans on wildlife and the environment.

4. Improv

Jazz musician Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974, at age 75. In jazz, the musicians frequently improvise, making up songs as they go. Test your improvisation skills. In groups, pick an article in the newspaper and write a rough outline of a skit based on the article. Don't write any dialogue, just a general plot. Then act out your skit for the class, filling in the details as you go along. If you get stuck, ask the class for suggestions on what should come next in your skit.

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

5. Protest Songs

Singer and songwriter Bob Dylan's birthday is May 24. Dylan wrote many songs during the 1960s that were reactions to the mood of the nation, including songs that spoke out against the Vietnam War. Think of a song you like. Pick an adjective that describes the mood of the song. Is it cheerful? Angry? Cynical? Then find an article that evokes the same mood. Write a short paper explaining how the article and the song go together.

Learning Standards: Functioning as literate individuals in varied contexts within their lives in and beyond the classroom; using text resources while thinking creatively, making decisions, solving problems and reasoning in complex situations.