1. Public Health Steps OK

There’s broad public support for government intervention in health matters, as long as it is not coercive or punitive, according to survey results in the journal Health Affairs. An online survey showed that most Americans favor efforts by government to prevent childhood obesity, help smokers quit and head off chronic diseases. There is similar support for government campaigns to prevent cancer, heart disease and tobacco use, control diabetes and reduce alcohol consumption. Most in the voluntary survey also favor requiring restaurants to post calorie counts and schools to provide physical education. Generally opposed were suggestions that students be penalized for possessing soda or junk food. As a class, talk about government efforts to improve health or people’s lifestyles. Then use the newspaper and Internet to research such efforts and write a short editorial giving your views. Be sure to cite facts and arguments from your research in your editorial.

Common Core/National Standard: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarizing points of agreement engaging and disagreement; engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.

2. Japan's Cherry Blossoms

Springtime in Washington, D.C., is often associated with cherry blossoms. Most of the capital's 3,700 trees are descendants of trees given the U.S. as gifts from the Asian nation of Japan in 1912 to mark 60 years of good relations. Around 150 of the trees alive today are part of the original gift. Imagine the United States wanted to give a gift symbolizing friendship and peace to another country. Use this week's newspapers to pick out a country that you think would make a good recipient. Write a brief proposal describing what might make a distinctly American gift, symbolizing friendship and peace with the other country.

Common Core/National Standard: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; identifying and using the craft of the speaker, writer and illustrator to formulate and express ideas artistically.

3. No ‘Ordinary Couple’

Talk about a high-profile romance — two of the world’s top athletes are dating. Golf superstar Tiger Woods and Olympic ski great Lindsay Vonn have confirmed that they are an item. On Facebook and Twitter, they have requested privacy because they want to live, in Woods’ words, “as an ordinary couple.” That is highly unlikely, of course, considering that they are both celebrities and their relationship has already become a magnet for news media attention. Between them, Woods, 37, and Vonn, 28, have won 14 major golf championships, 76 PGA Tour victories, two Olympic medals and four World Cup titles. Each has been married once, and divorced. Celebrities get a lot of news coverage in newspapers and other media because fans are interested in their lives. The coverage of celebrities also has sparked debate about whether it puts too much emphasis on trivial things or invades people’s privacy. Find examples of celebrity coverage in the newspaper or online. Pick five celebrity items and write an evaluation of whether they are worth news coverage, and why. Include your observations on whether they overblow trivial matters or invade privacy.

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

4. School Prayer

A new Mississippi law requires public schools to develop policies that allow students to pray over school intercoms, at assemblies and at sporting events. While not ordering school-sanctioned prayer, which would be unconstitutional, the law allows prayer, with a disclaimer from the school administration. Thus, the governor says, while not establishing religion, the state would be “protect[ing] the religious freedoms of all students. …” Civil libertarians are sure to challenge the new law in the courts, since court cases based on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution established the principle of the “separation of church and state” in the United States. As a class, read the First Amendment and see what it says about religious freedom. Discuss whether you think the Mississippi law protects religious freedom or imposes religion on others. If necessary, research how the principle of the separation of church and state was established in this country.

Common Core/National Standards: Responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarizing points of agreement engaging and disagreement; engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points.

5. The Locusts Are Back!

In the book of Exodus in the Bible, locusts were the eighth of 10 plagues sent by God to force the Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of Egypt. Now they’re back. In the Middle East, large swarms of the insects are plaguing sections of Egypt and Israel, some the size of small birds. Farmers complain that their fields are being ruined. Motorists say they cannot see through their windshields for all the bugs flying at them. It’s the first invasion of locusts since 2005, and the worst since the 1950s. It’s not a plague for everyone, however. Thailand agricultural workers in the area are frying the insects for crunchy snacks, introducing the delicacy to some Israelis, who have learned — to their delight — that the insects are kosher and can be eaten under Jewish dietary rules. Unlike the world of Biblical days, modern Israel has pesticides, and Israelis have used them to reduce the size of the swarm considerably. Wildlife often make news, especially when too many of a species settles in an area. Find a photo of an outdoor scene in the newspaper. Brainstorm a list of wildlife that could live there. Then write a paragraph describing what would happen to the habitat if one species grew significantly in number. You can write your paragraph as a factual account or as a creative story.

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.