The NSDL Middle School Portal is hosting this blog to encourage teachers to use current events as teaching opportunities. Every Thursday, MSP staff will link a current news article to related teaching resources that connect specific content standards to that event. Articles may be appropriate for students to read directly, or they may serve as background knowledge for teachers and inspiration for subsequent instructional activities. The related middle level, grades 5-8 content standards of the National Science Education Standards will be included along with links to additional information such as lessons, reference articles, and definitions. Teachers are encouraged to save the links if the weekly blog topic is not immediately relevant to their current lesson topics. User feedback is welcome and should be sent to msp@msteacher.org.