Studies have long pointed to the benefits of "current events" programs in shaping a nation of lifelong newsreaders.
"Using the news" -- whether in the form of the daily newspaper, TV news reports, or classroom discussions of important
events -- can go a long way toward developing an informed citizenry too. So why isn't "Current Events" a part of every
classroom curriculum?
If you're looking to make a case for current events in the classroom --
of if you're looking for activities with which to teach current events -- don't miss the following articles:
Ten Great Activities: Teaching With the Newspaper
Ten more terrific classroom activities that use the newspaper to teach valuable skills -- including reading and writing
for meaning, map reading, media literacy, sequencing, word meaning, and math.
Read All About It! Ten Terrific Newspaper Lessons
Education World celebrates National Newspaper Week with ten lessons to help you integrate the newspaper into your
classroom curriculum. Included: Students interview a local news reporter, create editorial cartoons, compare newspapers,
more.
We've Got News for You! (News Activities, That Is)
Education World offers five complete lessons to help teachers integrate newspapers into their curriculum. Included:
News slant, reflecting on the news, headlines and main ideas, top news stories of the 20th century, more.
It's News to Me: Teaching Kids About the Newspaper
Explore six great sites that will help you teach about the newspaper -- before you start teaching with it! Included:
Seven original ideas for teaching students about the newspaper.
Why Teach Current Events?
Why bother teaching current events? The research indicates that a regular dose of current events has a multitude of
benefits. Included: Activity ideas and Internet resources for teaching current events.
Sites to See: Current Events
Current event Web sites keep users up to date on the top stories of the day, offer information that students might
not be aware of, and provide teachers with instructional materials for classroom. Included: Five top-notch news Web
sites for kids.
Every Day' Activities: Today in History
Many sites offer "This Day in History" resources that are a great way to teach current events, history, and cultural
literacy. Imagine a classroom timeline that highlights current events or events connected to historic periods. A great
opportunity for learning!
ADDITIONAL LESSONS
Tabloid Tales Tabloid news stories -- modern-day tall tales
-- make for a fun writing activity with students in grades 3 and up.
Spelling Detective Students search for spelling errors in a
current event news story.
Writing Newsletters After reading aloud Deadline!
by Gail Gibbons, students learn about newspapers.
Finding Main Ideas This student work sheet provides
"finding the main idea" practice and skill building.
Updated October 2007
