1. Campaign Sparring

Mitt Romney recently returned to his native Michigan to campaign with his vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan. He spoke to a crowd of 9,300 in the county where he was raised, according to a Detroit Free Press article. During his speech, Romney again brought up the “birth record” controversy involving President Barack Obama. “No one’s ever asked to see my birth certificate,” Romney said. “They know this is the place where we were born and raised.” That remark set off a firestorm of criticism. Democrats said Romney’s remark connecting to people who question the Hawaii birthplace of Obama should “give pause” to national voters. Find newspaper stories about the campaign. In groups of four, research the platform or positions on issues for each candidate and create a Power Point presentation for the class.

Common Core/National Standard: Using technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

2. Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month begins in September. This is a time when we celebrate the contributions and culture of Hispanic people. Hispanic people come from Spain or from other countries that speak Spanish. In the United States, many Hispanic people come from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. As a class, read an article in this week's newspapers about Hispanic culture, or another culture. Write a paragraph describing the customs, language and heritage of the culture and how they compare to the culture in which you have grown up. Share with the class and discuss.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, gathering information and learning new procedures.

3. Hanging It Up

Controversy has plagued bicycle racer Lance Armstrong for more than a decade. At issue were accusations that he used steroids or other performance enhancing drugs when winning races like the world famous Tour de France. Armstrong now says he is no longer going to fight the charges brought by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, according to a New York Times article. He maintains his innocence, but says the constant battle for his reputation has been causing stress on his family and his Livestrong Foundation for cancer research. Armstrong, who has never tested positive for drugs, called the investigation an “unconstitutional witch hunt.” As a result of his decision, however, Armstrong will be stripped of his seven Tour de France wins, his Olympic medal and all other medals, awards and cash prizes he has won since 1998. He also will never be allowed to race again or coach cycling. Find newspaper stories about the controversy. Or find one online. As a class, discuss what Armstrong’s decision says about the charges against him.

Common Core/National Standards: Responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue.

4. A Billion Dollar Verdict

Apple Inc. employees celebrated recently after a jury found that Samsung Electronics Co. ripped off Apple technology to make its smart phone and tablet. Apple was awarded a $1 billion verdict in the case. Other smart phone competitors now could run into similar problems, according to an Associated Press story. The ruling also could affect Google, because Samsung uses Google Inc.’s Android operating system to power its cell phones. The article reported that Apple lawyers now are planning to ask that two dozen of Samsung’s devices be barred from use in the United States. The $1 billion verdict represents about 1.5 percent of Samsung’s annual revenue. As a class, use your newspaper’s stock market pages to track the stock prices for Samsung, Google and Apple. Chart each day’s closings for the next two months. Write a summary of developments over that time.

Common Core/National Standards: Understanding that a market exists when buyers and sellers interact and that this interaction determines market prices and thereby allocates scarce goods and services; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

5. Kicking for Change

Mo Isom wanted nothing more than to be a kicker for the Louisiana State University Tigers football team. The former LSU women’s soccer player first tried out last spring and didn’t make the roster. She was encouraged to improve and try out again in the summer, according to a Yahoo! Sports article, but for a second time she failed to make the roster. LSU coaches said they were concerned about Isom meeting the physical challenges of the position, because the kicker is the last person on defense against a runback of a kick. Find a newspaper article about people playing nontraditional sports for their gender. Or find one online. Discuss whether the opposite sex should be able to play on traditionally one-gender teams.

Common Core/National Standard: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.