Students read news items from newspapers online and listen to news on the television. Students compare events from different sources and present their own views. This lesson works great for a high school lesson plan.
Grades(s) 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects(s) Computers & Tech., Language Arts, Social Studies
Objective
Students identify new vocabulary words
Students learn to tell the difference between facts and opinions
Students learn to write short summaries about news events
Students compare and contrast information presented from a variety of
Sources
Materials
Newspapers, internet
Lesson
Using local newspapers and several online papers (such as nytimes.com, washingtonpost.com) students choose several current events that are of interest to the class. The teacher needs to guide the students so that the subject matter is appropriate.
Once several events are chosen, students are divided into cooperative groups of four. The group assigns tasks to its members. The research must include at least four sources discussing the same topic. One of the sources must be television news. This can also be found online.
Students analyze the event as it is presented from different perspectives.
The group compiles a list of interesting vocabulary words.
Facts and opinions from the articles are recorded in a T Chart.
Students write a new article from the perspective of an individual involved in the event.
Students write a short (no more than three sentences) summary about the event.
Students write a letter to the editor about the event.
Assessment
Students find a different event (teacher approved) on their own and do their own in class newscast about the event.
Students are given an article from the teacher and write a short summary about the event.