Use the NewsPromoting Critical Thinking Using the News and Current Events

Laura Wilons

How do these traits of giftedness correlate to using the news and current events as a

teaching tool in your classroom?0 Deeply, intense reactions

and feelings0 Advanced sense of justice

and fairness0 Concern with social and

political issues and injustices

0 Constantly asking probing questions

0 Innate desire to lead and organize people/events

0Empathetic to others0Often skeptical and

critical, challenging the status quo

How do I use the news?Watching the news and reading the paper can require some maturity (especially these days), but we shouldn’t shield our students from the world. It’s all about how its worded and how you approach situations and sensitive issues. It is OK to…

0Watch news stories0Read the newspaper0Talk about current events, no matter what they are,

and allow for questions and answers

How do I use the news?1. Choose appropriate news.

0 Select stories they can understand and are current. What was on the news last night? In the paper this morning?

2. Bring it down to their level and make it relatable.0 What matters to them? What will affect them? How can news

stories tie in to your current unit of study?

3. Discuss news and current events in detail.0 Don’t be afraid to talk about sensitive issues. It is your job as a

gifted teacher to break it down for them. Make them see all sides of an issue.

4. Promote participation and take action!0 How can you use their passions and emotions to make a

change?

How do I choose appropriate news?0Choose news events and stories that…

0 Will affect their generation0 Reflects the population of their

community0 Shows our country for the good and the

bad so they can think of a way to improve society

0 Brings awareness0Example from Scholastic News:

Desperate Journeys

0The news article discusses and breaks down the migrant crisis in Europe. It puts the situation into perspective and in kid-friendly language. It also has high level vocabulary with context clues to help students understand what’s going on.

0Brings up topics such as…0 Tossed Salad Theory vs. The Melting Pot0 Family and Home0 Immigration0 Brings awareness to diversity and kindness

How do I choose appropriate news?

Bring it down to their level and make it relatable!

0Smithsonian News: Coming soon- helmets made from carrots

0Why? Many kids play sports or ride bikes, support going green and sustainability, like science and technology, want to invent something, and they all understand sports and food.

0Smithsonian also provides lexile numbers to differentiate learning!

Turn to your neighbor…

Critical thinking question: What advantage does the cellulose in root vegetables have over wood

or cotton? Why is the cellulose in root vegetables a better choice than carbon fiber for

making protective clothing?

Discussing the News0 DeBono’s Thinking Hats

0 White- facts0 Red- emotion0 Yellow- optimism0 Green- creative, elaborative 0 Blue- leader, organizer0 Black- judgment

0 Ask a question with each thinking mode and have the students respond in writing.

0Bloom’s Ball Toss0 On a beach ball, write one

question using each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Toss it around and whichever question your thumb hits, you answer it and ask a friend to answer it.

0Chalk Talk- Discussion questions posted on the wall. Rotate and answer.

Promote Participation and Take Action!

0Migrant Crisis0 Kindness Campaign- The situation involves people being

unwelcoming and others without a home. Start a kindness campaign! Place post it notes around the school to show appreciation for little things. Start a club or buddy system for new students and/or kindergartners. What other ways can we show kindness?

0Carrot helmets0 Promote bike safety and sports/athletics safety by

starting a campaign to make sure kids are using the proper equipment. What else could you do that relates to the article and/or discussion?

THANK YOU FOR COMING!