1. 'Rock Band 2'

The "Rock Band" video game was one of the most popular in the world last year. Now fans will be getting new ways to play and act like music stars. "Rock Band 2" will be out for Xbox systems in September, and then become available for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Wii systems. The new version will offer more instruments and more songs, among other features. Video games use computer technology to create fun and entertainment. What else do computers do for people? With family or friends, find examples of products that use computer technology in the newspaper. Write a sentence describing one product. For added challenge, pick an activity that interests you in the newspaper. Brainstorm ways computers are connected to the activity.

Learning Standards: Describing uses of technology and the impact of technology on individuals at home, at school and in the workplace; analyzing the use and reliance on technology.

2. Block Those Beetles!

People who work for the U.S. Postal Service help families and businesses by delivering mail all over the country. But this spring, postal workers in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, helped the nation in another important way. After hearing scratching inside a package shipped from the Asian region of Taiwan, the workers notified government authorities. Inside the package were 26 enormous Asian beetles - some as big as six inches long! This month, the postal workers were honored for blocking the beetles by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Many workers help the public in their jobs. Find an example in the photos and stories of the newspaper. Then write a short thank-you letter to a worker or group of workers for helping the public.

Learning Standards: Identifying and explaining how individuals demonstrate good character and personal virtue; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

3. Cell Phone Dangers

Cell phones are everywhere these days. But they can be dangerous if people talk on them while trying to drive a car. Last week the West Coast state of Washington made it illegal to use hand-held cell phones while driving. With the new law, Washington joins New York, New Jersey, California and other states that are cracking down on hand-held phones for drivers. With family or friends, talk about ways government tries to make things safer for people. Draw a comic strip showing a safety rule that exists, or one you think should be passed.

Learning Standards: Generating questions about issues that affect students or topics about which they are curious; using the craft of the illustrator to formulate and express ideas artistically.

4. Help for Pets

The Petco company makes a lot of money selling food and supplies to people who own pets. Now the company is making money available to groups that support families who have to give up their pets when they can't afford to keep them. Petco's "We Are Family, Too" fund provides short-term funding for animal welfare groups to help pet owners who are having money problems and can't afford their pets. With family or friends, talk about other ways people can help pets or wild animals. Write a short letter to the editor of the newspaper asking people to take action to help animals in some way.

Learning Standards: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about issues or topics of interest; describing positive and negative effects of humans on nature, wildlife and the environment.

5. Know, Wonder and Learn

A good way to build reading and learning skills is to Know, Wonder and Learn. With this approach, called KWL, you ask yourself questions every time you read something. First you ask what you already KNOW about the subject. Then you ask what you WONDER or WANT TO KNOW about the subject. Then you read and ask what you have LEARNED about the subject. Practice KWL by finding a short story in today's newspaper about a summer activity that interests you. Before reading, write out what you already KNOW about the subject. Then WRITE what you WONDER or WANT TO KNOW about the subject. Then read the story and write out what you LEARNED about the subject by reading.

Learning Standards: Making connections between key ideas in texts and students' own lives; acquiring information from multiple sources and then evaluating, organizing and communicating it.