1. Trains, Awesome Trains

Public transportation is important to many people who use it to go to school or work. One of the world’s oldest and biggest systems is the New York City subway, which opened on October 27, 1904. Today, people take 5.4 million rides on the system’s underground trains every weekday. Look through the newspaper and find another example of a development or invention that affects a large number of people. Write a few paragraphs explaining what the invention is, who invented it and what difference it has made.

Common Core State Standards: Conducting short research projects that build knowledge about a topic; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

2. Honoring Dr. King

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a national holiday to honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King used non-violent methods to fight for justice. Find another example in the newspaper of someone fighting for justice for themselves, their family, their community or their country. Write a short biography of the person.

Common Core State Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task; citing specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions.

3. Caution: Sheep Crossing

When you’re in a major world city — a national capital, at that — you don’t expect to be stuck in traffic so a flock of sheep can cross the street. Not unless you’re in Madrid, Spain, that is, and it’s October 6. On that day every year, shepherds lead their sheep through Madrid’s streets to stand up for ancient grazing, sheep-driving and migration rights that have been increasingly threatened by development and modern farming practices. About 2,000 sheep were involved this year, and participants followed ancient tradition by paying city officials for crossing rights in coins first minted 1,000 years ago in the 11th century. Local traditions are important in many communities. As a class, talk about traditions and events that people enjoy year after year. Write a short letter to the editor of the newspaper explaining why people like this tradition. Draw a picture of the event to go with your letter.

Common Core State Standards: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points.

4. A Turkey Problem

To many people, the turkey may be a delicious food for the Thanksgiving table, but to homeowners and farmers in the eastern United States, wild turkeys are a problem. They have been eating vegetable crops, blueberries and apple blossoms; devouring food for cows on dairy farms; getting into gardens and bird feeders; and flying into moving vehicles, causing traffic accidents. Once nearly wiped out of existence, the wild turkey has benefited from a wildlife restoration project, growing in number to an estimated 7 million nationwide. As a result, every state except Alaska (where there are no turkeys), now has a turkey hunting season, although studies show that other animals like deer and raccoons cause more damage. Wildlife often cause problems when they grow in number, and communities have to balance the needs of the wildlife against the needs of people. In the newspaper or online, find a story or photo involving a wild animal. Write a paragraph describing how this animal could become a problem if its population grew and what could be done about it.

Common Core State 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.

5. Prehistoric Toothpicks

Humans’ ancient ancestors picked their teeth, paleontologists have learned. Researchers have concluded that early Pleistocene man used toothpicks 1.8 million years ago. In a study reported in the journal PNAS, they say that in examining fossilized jawbones and teeth in the country of Georgia in the region between Europe and Asia, they found evidence of “habitual use” of toothpicks and “regular dental grooming.” Regular dental care is important because it keeps teeth healthy and gives people healthy smiles. In the newspaper, find and clip out photos of people smiling. Paste them onto a sheet of paper to make an art collage. Then write a poem explaining how good smiles can benefit people. Share as a class.

Common Core State Standards: Demonstrating understanding of figurative language; applying knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts; using drawings or visual displays when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or points.