Current Events in the Classroom

Presented By: Brittany SchwartzMike Thompson

“History doesn’t repeat itself but it does rhyme.”

- Mark Twain

CURRENT

EVENTS

SO WHAT?

• Foster individual and cultural identity • Understand what holds society together• Observation of and participation in school and

community• Address critical issues• Prepare students to make decisions based on

democratic principles• Civic Participation(Schmidt 2007, 197)

BackgroundTheory/Research:

John Dewey• Constructivism • Student-centered learning

Thomas N. Turner• Active learning benefits students• Student-centered

Bloom’s Taxonomy• Pyramid of achievement ending with creation

Edward F. DeRoche• Higher standardized test scores• Improved reading skills• Increased vocabulary• Increase awareness of events and interest• Development of Habits

Lev Vygotsky• Discovery learning

Reference: Education World http://www.educationworld.com

Background Continued

• Current Events helps us to grapple with present day problems that relate to the past

HOW DO CURRENT EVENTS RELATE TO STANDARDS?

The Iowa Core Curriculum

History:Understand how and why people create, maintain, or change systems of power, authority, and governance

Geography:Understand how human factors and the distribution of resources affect the development of society and the movement of populations

Political Science/Civic Literacy:Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action

Behavioral SciencesUnderstand how social status, social groups, social change, and social institutions influence individual and group behaviors

Iowa Department of Education: Iowa Core Curriculum: http://www.corecurriculum.iowa.gov/

INTRODUCTION

The Four Basic Questions to Ask:- How do we survive?- How do we thrive?- How do we evolve?- What makes us devolve?

(Schmidt 2007, 196-197)

ACTIVITY

REFLECTION

• What did this exercise show you?

• How could you use this exercise in your classroom?

• Would you use this exercise in your classroom?

PHOTOGRAPHS: How are they related?

1) Find a partner2) Collect 5 photographs in the paper related to the

theme power struggle3) Tape the photographs together4) We will then regroup and discuss why the

photographs relate

What did you think?

• Was this useful?

• What was beneficial about this exercise?

• How would you adapt this for your classroom?

CONNECTIONS ACTIVITY

• ARMS AGREEMENT• SALT

1. HOW COULD YOU UTILIZE THIS EVENT IN YOUR CLASSROOM

2. BREAK UP INTO GROUPS OF 23. IN YOUR GROUPS COME UP WITH 3 ESSENTIAL

QUESTIONS THAT RELATE THE TWO EVENTS

Additional Ideas

• Portfolio• Using photographs as representations of current

events• Scrapbook/Journal reflection (Schmidt 2007, 209-210)

• Using computers as a tool in the classroom• Take a piece of “Pop culture” and make it a current

events research project• Have students locate where “news” is happening

Addressing the Article

Individually Reflect: • How could you use this article in the classroom?• What strategies could you implement?

Group Discussion:• What did you find?

Questions for Thought

• What makes the use of current events in the classroom valuable?

• What are the drawbacks of using certain current events materials/sources? • How will you implement current events in your classroom?

Teacher Resources:

• Newspapers in Education: (NIE.org)• Amnesty International: www.amnesty.org• Asia Today: www.asiasource.org/news• CNN: World News: www.cnn.com/WORLD• New York Times Online: www.nytimes.com• National Public Radio: www.npr.org • Economist: www.economist.com • TeachableMoment.org

References

Education World. “Why Teach Current Events.” http://www.educationworld.com.

Google Images. www.google.com.Iowa Department of Education. Iowa Core Curriculum. :

http://www.corecurriculum.iowa.gov Real Clear World.

http://www.realclearworld.com/video/2010/03/26/inside_the_russian-american_nuclear_agreement.html .

Schmidt, Laurel. 2007. Social studies that sticks: How to bring content and concepts to life. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Publishing.

You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTdhdkYhxwU .