1. Sunshine State Power

The state of Florida is called the Sunshine State because it has beautiful sunny weather all year long. Now a developer who builds homes and business buildings wants to take advantage of Florida sun by building a whole city that would run on electric power created from sunshine. Developer Syd Kitson, who once played professional football in the NFL, has announced plans to build a community called Babcock Ranch that would run entirely on sun power created by a giant solar energy plant. As a class, talk about benefits of using alternative kinds of power like solar, wind or water. Then create a comic strip for the newspaper showing one of these in action.

Learning Standards: Showing how common themes of science, mathematics and technology apply in real-world contexts; explaining how science and technology affect society; using the craft of the illustrator to express ideas artistically.

2. Turtle Race

Leatherback sea turtles are the world's biggest turtles, and have been on Earth for more than 65 million years. But in many areas they are in danger, and scientists worry that they could disappear entirely if steps are not taken to protect them in the ocean and on their nesting grounds. To call attention to the leatherbacks, the rock bands Pearl Jam and R.E.M. have joined with U.S. Olympic swimmers, National Geographic magazine and a group called Conservation International to support the Great Turtle Race. In the two-week race, which began April 16, 11 leatherbacks are swimming 3,700 miles from the east coast of Canada to their nesting grounds in the Caribbean Sea south of Florida. With a partner, look for newspaper stories and photos involving endangered animals. Use what you find to design an Earth Day poster asking people to help endangered animals in some way.

Learning Standards: Showing how science concepts can be interpreted through creative expression such as language arts and fine arts; reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing critically and representing creatively.

3. National Youth Service Day

National Youth Service Day will be observed across the country this year each day from April 24 to 26. During this time, millions of kids and teens will volunteer to work and solve problems in their communities. Volunteers may clean up neighborhoods, help younger children or solve other community problems. With a partner, scan today's newspaper and find a local problem or issue that interests you. Research the problem and present it to the class. Include a list of organizations that have a positive effect on dealing with the problem and a description of what each of them does.

Learning Standard: Engaging each other in elaborated conversations that deeply examine public policy issues and help make reasoned and informed decisions.

4. Obamadog

On the night he was elected president, Barack Obama promised his daughters Sasha and Malia that they could have a puppy when they moved into the White House. But the search was held up because Malia is allergic to most dogs. The Obamas wanted to find a dog that wouldn't cause severe allergy symptoms like sneezing or itchy eyes. Now they have: a black and white Portuguese water dog named Bo. The lively Bo moved into the White House last week and is a breed that doesn't cause bad allergy reactions. As a class, talk about things families must discuss when choosing a pet and which are the most important. Then look through the Pets section of the Classified Ads and find a pet that you might want. Write a sentence or two describing whether this would be a good pet for your family, and why.

Learning Standard: Using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, clarifying information, and learning complex procedures; engaging peers in constructive conversation about topics of interest or importance.

5. What Do Boys Want?

The Disney entertainment company pays a lot of attention to what kids like. And with shows like "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical" the company has strong support among girls. Its shows aren't as popular with young boys, however, and Disney wants to know why. To get answers the company has set up a "headquarters for boys" that will do research to find out what boys like and why. With a partner, look through the ads and stories in the newspaper and make a list of things that boys your age like. Then pretend you work for Disney. What kind of show would you create to appeal to boys who like the things on your list? Explain your choices to the class.

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; representing creatively.