A. Schoolhouse

     What is this generation of primary-grade schoolchildren being taught? Go into classrooms in the community to find out whether there are new techniques in teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Are children made aware of pollution and other threats to the environment and of the dangers of drugs, smoking, alcohol and AIDS?
     What is unchanged from their parents' and grandparents' days as students?

B. Kwanzaa

     Kwanzaa, usually celebrated between December 26 and January 1, was designed to connect African Americans to their African heritage. It has become popular on campuses and in some communities. For a feature of 350 to 500 words, find out what the plans are on your campus and in the community for Kwanzaa this year. Find out about the participation of churches and other organizations, and include descriptions of the activities. Also, incorporate some of the history of this relatively new celebration.

C. Prisoners

<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0073511935/234798/W8_3.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (29.0K)</a> The Library of Congress

Many states used their prisoners to improve and build state roads. The prisoners were also leased to private businesses for work in brickyards, sawmills, turpentine farms, phosphate pits and coal mines. Sometimes the prisoners were chained together in what was known as a chain gang. Do a historical feature about the treatment of state prison inmates, comparing their treatment in the past with today.