1. Mummies

Archaeologists recently uncovered 57 ancient tombs in Egypt, many with mummies inside. The oldest of the tombs date back to around 2750 BCE.

Find a mention of an archaeological or scientific discovery in the newspaper or online. Write a report about what the discovery is and what it tells us about the culture -- ancient or modern -- it came from.

Learning Standard: Describing, comparing and explaining the locations and characteristics of races, cultures and settlements.

2. Post Office

Federal prosecutors in Detroit have charged a former mail carrier with stealing mail after they discovered almost 3,600 pieces of mail hidden in a shed behind his former home. The mail dates back to the early 1990s, when he worked for the post office.

What qualities would a person need to succeed as a postal worker? What about other jobs? Pick five jobs mentioned in the newspaper and make a chart showing the job and a list of qualities and skills someone would need to be successful at the job. Then write a paragraph explaining which job on the list would be a good fit for you and why.

Learning Standard: Using traditional and electronic means to organize social science information and to make maps, graphs and tables; expressing responses and make connections between oral, visual, written and electronic texts and their own lives.

3. Wheaton

TV journalist Ann Curry, co-host of "The Today Show," was invited to give the graduation speech at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. In her speech she mentioned famous people who graduated from Wheaton. The only problem was the people she listed actually graduated from a different Wheaton College -- the one located in Wheaton, Illinois.

Write a speech you would give to a graduating class. Make it inspirational, and tie in current events. Share your speech with the class and ask for their feedback.

Learning Standard: Focusing on meaning and communication as they listen, speak, view, read and write in personal, social, occupational and civic contexts.

4. Fitness

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that one reason so many American kids are overweight is because they don't have anywhere to run around and get exercise. According to the report, only about one in five homes is located within a half mile of a park or a fitness or recreation center, and not all states require gym classes in school.

Read about exercise and fitness in the newspaper and online. Write a letter to a local politician or community leader explaining why he or she should make sure every kid has access to a park or a rec center.

Learning Standard: Writing fluently for multiple purposes to produce compositions, such as personal narratives, persuasive essays, lab reports and poetry.

5. WED

June 5 is the United Nations' World Environment Day, a day to think about the environment and ways we can take action to help it. Find an article about an environmental problem. Research the problem. Then, as a class, brainstorm ways you could contribute to solving it.

Learning Standard: Engaging their peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values, anticipating consequences and working toward making decisions.