by Deanna Thein
I have been an educator for over 20 years and it continues to amaze me how little students know about current events. Unfortunately, this also applies to many adults.
Why should you teach current events with your students?
The study of current events covers a wide range of subjects and all areas of the curriculum. In addition, it can address all learning modalities.
For example, I found an article about Michael Jordan's jersey from the 1984 United States Olympics being up for sale, with a starting bid of $10,000. This may appear trivial, but there is so much you can do. Here are just some of the possible activities:
*Have students research the heights of various NBA players. Then, have the students measure out the players’ heights on a wall. Use sticky notes to write the height and name of the players. Also, have students measure their heights and record them on the same wall.
* Have students average the heights, convert to inches to feet, English to Metric units, etc.
* Study the history of basketball.
* Make your own “Wheaties” boxes, with the students being the celebrated sports figure.
*Students can print out small NBA team logos and place them on a US map.
*Students can write about their favorite sports figure. Use peer editing. The students can then present their finished work to the class.
*Study anatomy and physiology. What muscles/bones are used in making a shot and/or dribbling.
* Make a PowerPoint of Google Sheets presentation of a favorite sports figure.
*I have also used the following sites to create “game-show” current events quizzes:
https://quizlet.com/
https://kahoot.com/
https://quizizz.com/
By using this one current events article, educators are building language, vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem solving, research, math, oral expression, and listening skills. They are also learning valuable teamwork skills. In addition, they are addressing all learning styles.
There are so many ways to utilize current events with your students. I hope this article provides you some ideas and inspiration.
Deanna Thein graduated with a degree in Secondary Education/Social Studies from the State University of New York-Cortland. She received her M.Ed. Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Deanna currently is an 8th grade Special Education teacher in the Prairie du Chien School District. She has also taught GED courses in correctional institutions and in the public school system.
Deanna Thein is the Editor of FOCUS on the NEWS This is an 8 page current events quiz game: 66 questions and answers from the past week’s news in the categories of World, Nation, Government, Science, Entertainment, Sports, History, Roundup; point-rated as to degree of difficulty, easily modified rules of play; scorecard; email/PDF delivery every Wednesday.
Included with the quiz are a crossword and word find puzzle.
FOCUS on the NEWS is published weekly throughout the year from September-May, excluding two weeks in the winter and two weeks during spring vacation. Contact Deanna for your homeschool or co-op subscriptions. focusonthenews@gmail.com
I have been an educator for over 20 years and it continues to amaze me how little students know about current events. Unfortunately, this also applies to many adults.
Why should you teach current events with your students?
The study of current events covers a wide range of subjects and all areas of the curriculum. In addition, it can address all learning modalities.
For example, I found an article about Michael Jordan's jersey from the 1984 United States Olympics being up for sale, with a starting bid of $10,000. This may appear trivial, but there is so much you can do. Here are just some of the possible activities:
*Have students research the heights of various NBA players. Then, have the students measure out the players’ heights on a wall. Use sticky notes to write the height and name of the players. Also, have students measure their heights and record them on the same wall.
* Have students average the heights, convert to inches to feet, English to Metric units, etc.
* Study the history of basketball.
* Make your own “Wheaties” boxes, with the students being the celebrated sports figure.
*Students can print out small NBA team logos and place them on a US map.
*Students can write about their favorite sports figure. Use peer editing. The students can then present their finished work to the class.
*Study anatomy and physiology. What muscles/bones are used in making a shot and/or dribbling.
* Make a PowerPoint of Google Sheets presentation of a favorite sports figure.
*I have also used the following sites to create “game-show” current events quizzes:
https://quizlet.com/
https://kahoot.com/
https://quizizz.com/
By using this one current events article, educators are building language, vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem solving, research, math, oral expression, and listening skills. They are also learning valuable teamwork skills. In addition, they are addressing all learning styles.
There are so many ways to utilize current events with your students. I hope this article provides you some ideas and inspiration.
Deanna Thein graduated with a degree in Secondary Education/Social Studies from the State University of New York-Cortland. She received her M.Ed. Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Deanna currently is an 8th grade Special Education teacher in the Prairie du Chien School District. She has also taught GED courses in correctional institutions and in the public school system.
Deanna Thein is the Editor of FOCUS on the NEWS This is an 8 page current events quiz game: 66 questions and answers from the past week’s news in the categories of World, Nation, Government, Science, Entertainment, Sports, History, Roundup; point-rated as to degree of difficulty, easily modified rules of play; scorecard; email/PDF delivery every Wednesday.
Included with the quiz are a crossword and word find puzzle.
FOCUS on the NEWS is published weekly throughout the year from September-May, excluding two weeks in the winter and two weeks during spring vacation. Contact Deanna for your homeschool or co-op subscriptions. focusonthenews@gmail.com
