1. Irish Potato ‘Bug’ Identified

Scientists have identified the potato blight that triggered the famous potato famine that killed one million people in Ireland and led to the emigration of millions more from Europe to the United States. DNA extracted from 160-year-old museum specimens indicates that the blight was a pathogen different from modern diseases, which continue to attack potato crops around the world. Scientists believe the famine pathogen is probably extinct today, based on analysis of dried potato leaves stored in collections in museums in England and Germany as early as 1845. “We can’t be sure,” one researcher said, “but most likely it’s gone extinct.” From crime-solving to agriculture, science is used in many ways to help people understand the world. In the newspaper or online, find a story about science or technology being used to solve problems. Citing evidence from your story, write a paragraph summarizing the ways technology makes the job easier or more efficient than in the past.

Common Core/National Standards: Reading closely what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

2. ‘Cleopatra’ Lives On!

“Cleopatra,” a four-hour epic film with a headline-grabbing history, has been re-released by Fox to be shown in selected theaters. The 1963 movie drew worldwide attention at the time because it was the backdrop for the very public affair between its co-stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — both of whom were married to others. Taylor and Burton were big stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and the press could not get enough of their romance (they later got married, divorced and married to each other a second time!). Celebrity news is very popular today with readers of newspapers, magazines and websites. As a class, talk about why people are so fascinated with celebrities and whether there should be limits on what is reported. Then think like a comedy writer and write a parody of a gossip column, making up funny or sensational news about celebrities you like. Base your parody on real qualities your favorite celebrities have. Share columns as a class.

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.

3. Oily

In view of the major problems facing the world’s economy, some are ridiculing the European Union for adopting a measure that would ban restaurants from serving olive oil in cruet pitchers or dipping bowls. So much ridicule, in fact, that the measure was rescinded. However, the quality and authenticity of olive oil is no laughing matter in the major olive-raising nations — Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal. Olive oil and growing olives is big business in the European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and is important to their economies. In the newspaper or online, find a story about a crop that is important to another country. Use what you find and other resources to write a summary of why the crop is important, what it is used for and what its main markets are for sales.

Common Core/National Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

4. Race Disparity in Pot Busts

Marijuana use among African Americans is no more frequent than use among whites, but blacks are arrested for possession at a much higher rate, the American Civil Liberties Union reports. Analyzing federal crime data, the ACLU found that in 2010, marijuana arrest rates for blacks were 3.73 times higher than for whites. In some counties, the arrest rate was 10 to 30 times higher, and in two Alabama counties, 100 percent of those arrested for possession were black. The lead author of the ACLU study attributed the statistics to racial profiling. When people are treated unequally it makes news and can prompt protests. In the newspaper or online, find a story about a person or group being given unequal treatment. Write a summary of the story, detailing what treatment was unequal, what the result was and how people are calling attention to it.

Common Core/National Standards: Reading closely what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

5. Free Burgers for a Hero

The man who helped rescue three women who had been kidnapped and imprisoned for a decade in a Cleveland, Ohio house, has earned himself free burgers for life at more than a dozen restaurants, plus free food for one year at a McDonald’s restaurant near his home. Charles Ramsey, 43, has been hailed as a hero for kicking in a neighbor’s door when he heard cries for help from inside, leading to one woman’s escape (with her 6-year-old child) and the discovery of two others. He said he had been at home “eating my McDonald’s” when he heard the cry for help. In addition to food at McDonald’s, one of the restaurants offering him free burgers has named a sandwich the “Ramsey Burger.” Heroes or people who help others can be rewarded in many ways. In the newspaper, find a story about someone helping others. Then use the resources of the newspaper to brainstorm a reward that would fit the helpful person. Write a paragraph explaining your choice.

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.