In today’s world, students need to understand various aspects of social structures, the global economy, the role of government, and the environment to make informed decisions about their lives beyond high school. Educators play a crucial role in equipping students with the necessary skills to distinguish between fact and fiction, claims based on research or evidence, and exaggerations from reputable journalism. By observing and discussing current events, teachers help promote civic engagement and critical thinking, develop media literacy, connect learning to the real world, and foster empathy and perspective taking.
When students become informed and engaged citizens and understand their role in shaping the world, they gain a better understanding of the experiences and perspectives of others, which promotes empathy, understanding, and respect. By incorporating current events into the curriculum, students see the relevance and practical application of what they are learning, making education more meaningful and impactful.
The news offers an ideal opportunity for cooperative group instruction, classroom discussions, helpful follow-up writing, and much more. Not sure how to start? Here are simple ways to start conversations that can lead to deeper lessons and projects:
While listening to a podcast, have students listen for the details and then ask them to share in pairs and discuss why those details stood out. In closing, agree on the key details that convey the event. the ten news, KidNuzand at your level they are excellent resources for podcasts geared toward youth. This can also lead your students to develop their own podcast
While listening, watching, or reading an online news report (such as those found on National Geographic ChildrenNewsela, Google and CNN 10), encourage students to pay attention to the who what when where and because from the report Later, they can think-pair-share to identify why these are key attributes of a story. if there is a interactive visualization In class, students can bookmark important parts of the article or video, either directly or through a screen sharing app on their device.
Using an activity creation app or platform, such as MimioConnect, create a matching activity in which students match a headline to a news summary. Variations may include matching title and quote, quote and summary, and summary and scene data or images. If integrated with MimioConnect, the activity can be assigned as a review, scaffold, or as a flipped learning activity.
art teachers You can assign a project in which students explore current events on topics that interest them personally and then create artwork to raise awareness. With drawing apps like Draw Story and Artworkout, students can boost their creativity, critical thinking, and communication. skills through art. Collect the artwork in a slideshow that can be shared on campus digital signage using a cloud management platform.
In today’s social media driven world, hashtags are ever present. Students are well versed in its use and understand its power to start a conversation. Why not take advantage of your familiarity with hashtags to inspire your writing? You can encourage students to use hashtags as writing prompts, tapping into their creativity and imagination. If you’re wondering about the latest trends, check out Twitter or do a quick Google search. After reading or listening to a current news story, students can create hashtags that sum up the gist of the story. By incorporating hashtags into writing exercises, you can encourage students to think critically, connect with the world around them, and have fun while doing it.
Teachers can harness students’ interest in current events, including pop culture and political controversies, to enhance classroom engagement. By incorporating relevant and timely topics into lesson plans, teachers can significantly impact students’ understanding of the world and their engagement with the topic. This approach also promotes empathy, understanding, and respect by exposing students to different perspectives and experiences. By embracing current events, teachers can create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them.
Do you have any long-term activities, lessons, or projects that focus on current events that you would like to share? Please comment below!
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