1. Timbuktu Relics Safe

Timbuktu, on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Africa, was once the capital of a huge empire and a cultural center. But for 10 months it was occupied by Islamist extremists, and scholars feared that priceless manuscripts might not survive the occupation and the fighting in which French and Mali troops drove the rebels out. Early reports carried the good news that there did not appear to be significant destruction of any of the city’s libraries or collections of documents. If any manuscripts have been damaged or stolen, the number is limited, according to the University of Cape Town, which helped fund a library to house the documents. Use the newspaper and Internet to learn more about the conflict in and around Timbuktu and the nation of Mali. Write a summary of what you find.

Common Core/National Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

2. It's a Grand Old Flag

On February 15, 1965, Canada adopted a new flag. Canada's old flag, Red Ensign, featured the British Union Jack, to highlight Canada’s status as a self-governing member of the British Empire. Though one can still find Elizabeth II on Canada's currency, the Canadian Parliament spent years looking for a new design that better reflected the country's independent status. They decided to use a maple leaf displayed on a field of red and white — Canada’s colors, according to King George V. The solution featured a local symbol, but subtly indicated Canada's history with England. Read an article about a changing region, country or town in this week's newspaper. Design a flag for the area that highlights its past and its future.

Common Core/National Standards: Using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points; describing and comparing characteristics of states, regions and countries, and explaining the processes that created them.

3. Bareheaded in the Snow

If you go skiing or snowboarding this winter, wear a helmet. Studies have concluded that helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 60 percent. Why, then, do so many skiers and snowboarders not wear helmets? Many participants in winter sports feel the headgear can reduce their peripheral vision, hearing and response times, making them slower and clumsier. Many also feel that less adept skiers might feel invulnerable because they are wearing helmets, and engage in riskier behavior. But researchers in the European country of Austria have found that cautious people are slower than risk-takers, whether they wear helmets or not, and that those prone to taking risks do so whether they are helmeted or not. Interestingly, those who wear a helmet are usually the most expert. As a class, talk about the importance of helmets and other safety equipment in sports. Then pick one piece of equipment and design an ad for the newspaper showcasing its safety features.

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. Snack Foods for Kids

The federal government has released new nutrition guidelines for snack foods sold in schools as part of an effort to promote what U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack calls “healthy eating habits in our kids.” The guidelines set requirements for the amounts of calories and fats allowed, encourage schools to offer whole-grain snack foods or fruits and limit the availability of sugary drinks. A year earlier, the first changes in more than three decades were made to the $11 billion government-subsidized school meal program — adding more fruits and green vegetables and reducing the amount of salt and fat in school breakfasts and lunches. Parents are still allowed to send treats to schools for birthday and holiday parties, and schools are still allowed to sell sweets for fundraisers that help pay for sports, band uniforms or field trips. The new nutrition guidelines have been adopted in response to growing concern about skyrocketing levels of childhood obesity, and the role played in the rise by school vending machines stocked with potato chips, cookies and sugary soft drinks. As a class, discuss ways to improve children’s nutrition and the nation’s nutrition standards. Then summarize the main points made by classmates in a short newspaper editorial.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

5. He Etched His Last Sketch

Why would a manufacturer in the U.S. state of Ohio announce the death of an electrician from the European nation of France? Because Andre Cassagnes invented the Etch A Sketch toy, and the Ohio Art company manufactures it. Cassagnes, who died near Paris last month at age 86, developed the toy in the late 1950s, and its rectangular gray screen, red frame and two knobs became one of the world’s major childhood amusements. More than 100 million have been sold worldwide. Ohio Art manufactured the toy for decades in its home in Bryan, Ohio, but in late 2000, moved production to the Asian nation of China. Etch A Sketch became an “issue” of sorts in the 2012 presidential campaign. Use your newspaper and other resources to research why and present what you find to the class.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.