One of the hottest topics in today's society. Is it real or is it fake news? News literacy has become one of those topics that need to be taught in order for students to succeed well. Is everything you see on the internet real? No, but not everyone believes that some people truly believe that "everything" they see online is real. I have the argument with my father on a weekly basis- many times when we talk he'll start the conversation with "did you see what was on Yahoo this week?" My response almost every time- "No, dad- I don't use Yahoo."
Many of my teachers in school have the students complete articles of the week or the month and we are sure to show them reputable news sites or databases that they can use. The science teacher that works collaboratively with me throughout the year has started to have her students use Today's Science database so that they are pulling real and reputable articles about science. It is important to have students looking at the evidence that will help to build the program. I am hopeful to work more with the classes next year to show other ways to determine if websites are trustworthy or not.
While at the EMTA conference in March I learned about a program I have never heard of before- News Literacy Project. I was able to get licenses to finish out the school year with my 7th and 8th-grade students. Their math, science, ELA and social studies teachers are willing to let me pull their kids for a few days so that I can implement the basic lessons of this program and begin the News Literacy Journey with our students.
We will begin lesson 1 on Monday with a group of students (I, of course, had to wait for state testing to be done).
So far I have been able to work with 1/2 of the 8th grade and all of the 7th grade for Checkology.org. The students have provided feedback that they like this program more than i-ready-"it isn't as little kidish" -one student... They all also feel like it is appropriate for their age level and are looking forward to learning more.
I will, however, not have enough time to complete all 10 lessons this year but I"m hopeful to implement the program from the beginning next year and push in once a "cycle" with each group of students to get them started early on. The students I feel will need to repeat the few lessons this year just to get a reminder and refresher on what they will inevitably forget over the summer.
I also had my district purchase Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching critical thinking skills in the age of fake news, so that I could read the book and learn from one of the greats.
Many of my teachers in school have the students complete articles of the week or the month and we are sure to show them reputable news sites or databases that they can use. The science teacher that works collaboratively with me throughout the year has started to have her students use Today's Science database so that they are pulling real and reputable articles about science. It is important to have students looking at the evidence that will help to build the program. I am hopeful to work more with the classes next year to show other ways to determine if websites are trustworthy or not.
While at the EMTA conference in March I learned about a program I have never heard of before- News Literacy Project. I was able to get licenses to finish out the school year with my 7th and 8th-grade students. Their math, science, ELA and social studies teachers are willing to let me pull their kids for a few days so that I can implement the basic lessons of this program and begin the News Literacy Journey with our students.
We will begin lesson 1 on Monday with a group of students (I, of course, had to wait for state testing to be done).
So far I have been able to work with 1/2 of the 8th grade and all of the 7th grade for Checkology.org. The students have provided feedback that they like this program more than i-ready-"it isn't as little kidish" -one student... They all also feel like it is appropriate for their age level and are looking forward to learning more.
I will, however, not have enough time to complete all 10 lessons this year but I"m hopeful to implement the program from the beginning next year and push in once a "cycle" with each group of students to get them started early on. The students I feel will need to repeat the few lessons this year just to get a reminder and refresher on what they will inevitably forget over the summer.
I also had my district purchase Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching critical thinking skills in the age of fake news, so that I could read the book and learn from one of the greats.
Some great choices! And yes, as you said, they need this reinforced many times. I always hope that students will take news literacy ideas home to their parents and grandparents. Such an important issue.
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