1.Spotlight on Mummies

The African country of Egypt has some of the most amazing monuments of the ancient world. The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx are the most famous, but many others are being discovered and explored by scientists every year. This month, scientists announced they had uncovered a 2,600-year-old tomb that contains 30 mummies not known about before. The ancient Egyptians were great scientists who discovered ways to preserve the bodies of leaders after they died as mummies. As a class, talk about some of the things scientists are studying and discovering today. Then find an example in the newspaper and write a sentence or two describing it. Learning Standards: Understanding the nature of scientific inquiry; explaining how science and technology affect society.

2. Old-School Chocolate

Valentine's Day has come and gone, but some people are still enjoying holiday chocolate. Chocolate is one of America's favorite candies, and people have been eating and enjoying it a lot longer than you might think. Scientists in the state of New Mexico recently found jars that show people were drinking liquid chocolate more than 1,000 years ago. That is the earliest evidence of people enjoying chocolate in what is now the United States, but not as early as in Central America to the south. Chocolate was used in ceremonies there as early as 3,500 years ago and was even a form of money at one time. As a class, talk about foods that are special to holidays or family traditions. Then design a food ad for the newspaper telling people why one food is special and how they might prepare it.

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

3. Bad News for Bats

Bats are amazing creatures that use sound waves to fly at night and hunt insects. The sound waves are sent out by the bats to avoid objects and find insects to eat. And do they eat! A brown bat can eat half its weight in insects each night and catch up to 600 insects an hour. Bats do a great deal to help communities keep bugs under control, but this spring they may not be able to help as much. In six states in the northeastern part of the United States a deadly fungus disease is causing large numbers of bats to die, reducing the numbers available to hunt insects. Scientists are working to determine what is causing the fungus and how it can be controlled. With a partner, look for stories or photos in the newspaper about people helping animals. Use what you find to create a poster encouraging people to help animals in some way.

Learning Standards: Explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; describing positive and negative effects of humans on nature and wildlife; representing creatively.

4. Pointing and Talking

How do kids learn to talk? One way, of course, is hearing parents and older brothers and sisters talk. Another way, scientists have found, is by seeing parents point and use hand gestures to communicate --and by learning to use hand gestures themselves. As a class, explore ways you could use your hands to help identify or show the meaning of words from the newspaper. Start with words like "big" or "small" and then brainstorm ideas for other words. Draw a comic strip showing a baby using his or her hands to point out something or express a need.

Learning Standard: Employing multiple strategies to recognize words and construct; using the craft of the illustrator to express ideas artistically.

5. George Washington

On February 22, 1732, George Washington was born in the state of Virginia. Washington grew up to become the first president of the United States. As a class, talk about the challenges a person faces by being the first to do something. Then find an example in the newspaper of someone who is achieving a "first" of some kind. Write a paragraph describing challenges facing this person as he/she achieved a first and what skills he/she needed to succeed.

Learning Standards: Responding to a variety of oral, visual, written and electronic texts by making connections to students' personal lives and the lives of others; writing fluently for multiple purposes.