Current Events Projects at MVCKS
Once per trimester students will find a relevant current events article from a reputable news source and present to their class. This will lead to a deeper discussion and ties to content we've been studying in class. Students may not use stories from entertainment, gossip, or sports unless verified by their teacher. Current events should discuss global and national issues.
Why Teach Current Events?
Students Should Be Aware of Global Issues
Elevating student awareness of global issues is increasingly important as the countries of the world become more interdependent. Today’s students also need an understanding of the world’s economy, politics, social structures, and environment in order to make the best decisions about how to live their own lives after high school and beyond. At the same time, consuming domestic news with a critical eye is vital to enhancing democracy and defeating intolerance. More than ever, an appreciation for news and our civic institutions is a key step toward self-empowerment and advancement.
As educators, it’s our job to make sure that students are armed with the tools necessary to distinguish between fact, fiction, and plain old opinion; between research or evidence-based statements and empty rhetoric; between exaggeration and reputable journalism – not just “factoids” from Facebook, Twitter, or other information feeds.
Elevating student awareness of global issues is increasingly important as the countries of the world become more interdependent. Today’s students also need an understanding of the world’s economy, politics, social structures, and environment in order to make the best decisions about how to live their own lives after high school and beyond. At the same time, consuming domestic news with a critical eye is vital to enhancing democracy and defeating intolerance. More than ever, an appreciation for news and our civic institutions is a key step toward self-empowerment and advancement.
As educators, it’s our job to make sure that students are armed with the tools necessary to distinguish between fact, fiction, and plain old opinion; between research or evidence-based statements and empty rhetoric; between exaggeration and reputable journalism – not just “factoids” from Facebook, Twitter, or other information feeds.
The benefit of current event programs
And let’s remember the myriad benefits our students enjoy through current event programs:
- They cover a wide range of subjects and connect to all areas of the curriculum.
- They build language, vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem solving, oral expression, and listening skills.
- They develop into informed citizens and lifelong news readers. Studying current events helps students understand the importance of people, events, and issues in the news; it stimulates students to explore and learn more about the news, and to pay attention to the news they see and hear outside of school.
- They provide a “writing model.” Students can learn by imitating the clear, concise style of news writing.
- They help teachers teach media literacy skills, which are as important today as any of the three R’s.
- They can open up communication between students and parents. Students are often eager to emulate their parents’ news-citing behaviors, and talking about the news is one way for parents to engage kids in adult conversation.
- They offer ideal opportunities for cooperative-group instruction, classroom discussions and debates, purposeful follow-up writing, and much more.