1. Safe Searching

Internet security researcher Jim Stickley experimented with Internet safety by creating a fake Web site for a bank. He wanted to see how high up in a list of search results his Web site would appear on various search engines. In a study released last week, Stickley showed that his fake site had made it to the Number 2 spot on Yahoo's search engine and the Number 1 spot on Microsoft's search engine. The problem is that when a Web site shows up as one of the first few spots on a list of search results, people tend to think it's legitimate. That might mean they could wind up giving personal information, such as credit card numbers, to a fake site. In groups, brainstorm a list of rules for using the Internet safely. Use those rules to make a poster about Internet safety.

Learning Standards: Engaging in activities intended to contribute to solving a national or international problem studied; communicating information accurately and effectively and demonstrating expressive abilities by creating oral, written and visual texts that enlighten and engage an audience.

2. Magicians and Magic

On December 18, 1946, Steven Spielberg was born. As a movie director, he has brought tales like "War of the Worlds," "Saving Private Ryan," "Jaws," "Jurassic Park" and "Indiana Jones" movies to the movie screen. Many of these movies were based on books or stories. Imagine that Spielberg or another director wanted to make a film out of a story in today's newspaper. Write a summary of what the movie would be about, why it would make a good movie and what real-life actors might star in the movie.

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

3. Paper Battery

Scientists at Stanford University in California have been working on a new type of battery: one that uses paper. In a report published last week, the scientists said that they had turned paper coated with a special type of ink into a "paper battery" that could one day be used as a lightweight, high-performance alternative to current batteries. The paper battery could be used for powering electric cars and portable electronics, such as laptops and phones, they said. In the newspaper find an example of another technological advance. Write a few paragraphs explaining what it is and what use it has. Come up with at least one other way it could be used. For example, could it be paired with a different device? Used by a different type of manufacturer?

Learning Standards: Generating scientific questions about the world based on observation; showing how common themes of science, mathematics and technology apply in real world contexts.

4. Amendments

The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, became law on December 15, 1791. Divide the class into 10 groups, and give each group an amendment. In your group, use the newspaper, books and online sources to create a presentation for the class about the right or rights your amendment ensures. Include court cases that deal with the amendment.

Learning Standards: Explaining the meaning and origin of the ideas, including the core democratic values expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other foundational documents of the United States; explaining how the rule of law protects individual rights and serves the common good.

5. Prize Winners

The winners of the 2009 Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physics and economics all said that working and sharing ideas with other people helped them perform the research and experiments that led to their awards. In groups use the newspaper to write an open-ended question about an issue in the news (not a "yes or no" question). It could involve your opinion on an issue, how you think a proposed idea will play out, or anything else. Individually, think about how you would answer the question and take notes on your thoughts. Then get back into the group and talk about the answer. Take notes on the group discussion. As a class, talk about whether you found it more productive to work alone or in the group.

Learning Standard: Focusing on meaning and communication while listening, speaking, viewing, reading and writing in personal, social, occupational and civic contexts; analyzing the use of elements of effective communication that impact relationships in schools, families and communities.