current events in the classroom
DESCRIPTION
Current Events in the Classroom. Presented By: Brittany Schwartz Mike Thompson. “History doesn’t repeat itself but it does rhyme.” - Mark Twain. C U R R E N T E V E N T S. SO WHAT?. Foster individual and cultural identity Understand what holds society together - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
ReferencesEducation 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 .