1. Similes

All through April, people will be celebrating National Poetry Month. In writing poetry, people often use similes (SIM-il-ees). A simile is a comparison that writers use to describe one thing with another thing. Similes often contain the words "like" or "as." For instance, you might say "that runner is as fast as the wind" or "after a long walk, my feet felt like heavy stones." The feet aren't really stones, and chances are the wind is much faster than the runner, but the comparison puts a strong image in the reader's mind. Use today's newspaper to create three interesting and creative similes based on newsmakers, photos or stories you find. Draw illustrations to go with your similes. Share and discuss as a class.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points; representing creatively.

2. Hank Aaron

On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Brave Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, passing Babe Ruth’s record for Major League Baseball. In accomplishing the feat Aaron played for the Braves in three cities — Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. His career home run record was topped in 2007 by Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants. Catch some sports excitement by reading about a sporting feat in this week’s newspapers. Write a 30-second radio-style description of the feat. Have fun delivering your “broadcast” to the class.

Common Core/National Standards: Integrating information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

3. A High Price for History

The owner of a 40-acre plot in the state of South Dakota is asking $3.9 million for it — far more than prevailing land prices in the area — because the land has sentimental and historical value. It’s the site of the Battle of Wounded Knee, where U.S. cavalry troops are said to have massacred 150 to 300 Oglala Sioux Indians in 1890 — the last major bloodshed of the American Indian wars. The tract is located on an Indian reservation, but passed into non-Indian hands generations ago. It was in the news in 1973 when a group of Indian activists took it over forcefully, resulting in a bloody standoff with federal agents and deep divisions among the Indians themselves over how the land should be developed, if at all. The tribal council for the Wounded Knee area has assailed the sale proposal as being disrespectful of the tribe’s history and tradition. The burden for buying it will probably fall to the Oglala Sioux, who are already $60 million in debt and unable to meet owner James A. Czywcznski’s price without borrowing more. Every community has sites that are important to local history. As a class, talk about some in your community. Then write a letter to the editor of the newspaper about one site, detailing why people should pay more attention to it.

Common Core/National Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

4. Great Apes Endangered

The multibillion-dollar trade in illegal wildlife is threatening the survival of the world’s great apes, a United Nations report warns. The U.N. says that chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas and bonibos are disappearing from the wild, as private owners pay top dollar for exotic pets and disreputable zoos, amusement parks and circuses entertain audiences with them. “The illegal trafficking of the species constitutes a serious threat to their existence,” a Republic of Congo minister has declared. The creatures -— except for the Sumatran orangutan, located mostly in central Africa — are captured by smugglers who transport them on private planes from small airstrips in the bush, mostly to destinations in the Middle East and Asia. Many species are endangered around the world. With the newspaper or Internet, find an example of an endangered species (don’t forget ads or sports teams!). Do some research about one species and prepare a PowerPoint presentation about it for the class.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; making strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance understanding of findings and to add interest.

5. A Memoir by Malala

The Pakistani teenager who was shot on a bus by a Taliban member for championing education for girls is writing a memoir. Malala Yousafzai says she hopes the book, “I Am Malala,” will help “people around the world … realize how difficult it is for some children to get access to education.” After the shooting, Malala, 15, was flown to a hospital in the European country of Great Britain, where she is now living and attending school. The book will be published this fall in the United States and Great Britain. Young people like Malala often inspire others with their courage or actions. Find an example in the newspaper or online and write a paragraph summarizing the person’s achievements, and why they inspire others.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.