1. Fallen Arch

Wind and water can create some amazing shapes in nature by wearing away rocks over thousands or millions of years. This process is called erosion and it has made some very unusual shapes in places like Arches National Park in the state of Utah. More than 2,000 natural arches that look like bridges can be found in the park. This month one of the most famous -- the Wall Arch on Devils Garden Trail - collapsed due to erosion and the force of gravity. With family or friends, search the newspaper to find interesting natural attractions in your state or region. Or find examples on the Internet. Draw a comic strip showing people visiting this attraction and explain why.

Learning Standards: Describing the natural characteristics of places and explaining some basic causes for those characteristics; locating diverse communities; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically.

2. First in Fencing

The first gold medal won by the United States in the Summer Olympics was earned by saber fencer Mariel Zagunis. She and her teammates won all three medals given out in women's saber competition, which looks a lot like the sword-fighting seen in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. With family or friends, follow the competition this week in the Summer Olympics. Pick an athlete who won an Olympic medal when he or she was not expected to win. Write a paragraph describing what this athlete did to win the medal. Then write a paragraph summarizing how this athlete said he or she felt after winning.

Learning Standards: Acquiring information from multiple sources and then evaluating, organizing and communicating it; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

3. Hot, Hot, Hot

It's been such a hot summer that newspapers have been offering advice on how to keep cool. Find a picture of a person who is being affected by the weather in today's newspaper. Now help that person out by redrawing her, this time with objects or clothing that can help her keep cool/warm/dry.

Learning Standards: Responding to visual, written and electronic texts by making connections to students' personal lives and the lives of others; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically.

4. Weather on the Move

Look at the five-day forecast in today's newspaper and the national weather map. Since weather usually moves from west to east, tomorrow's weather is probably happening today in an area to the west. Compare the forecast and the map. Is this the case? Use the newspaper to find an activity to do tomorrow for the weather that is predicted.

Learning Standard: Describing patterns of changing weather and how they are measured.

5. Multi-Purpose Articles

Newspaper articles can serve many purposes. They educate people about what is going on, tell interesting stories and explain complicated issues or procedures. Select one page of the newspaper and skim the articles. What kinds of articles are on the page? What purposes do they serve? Might any of the articles serve multiple purposes?

Learning Standard: Using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, clarifying information and learning complex procedures.