Research
Current Events Unit
Lesson Two
Current Events Research
- Grade Level: Middle School, High School
- Subject Area: Social Studies
Brief Description
Students look for
news stories on the Web that highlight some of the prominent issues in modern American
history they outlined in Lesson One.
Objectives
Students will:
- See the connection between historical issues and current events.
Materials and Resources
In developing our lessons and activities, we made some
assumptions about the hardware
and software that would be available in the classroom for teachers who visit the
LETSNet Website. We assume that teachers using our Internet-based lessons or
activities have a computer with the necessary hardware components (mouse, keyboard, and
monitor) as well as a World Wide Web browser. In the section below, we specify any "special"
hardware
or software
requirements for a lesson or activity (in addition to those described above)
and the level of Internet access required to do the activity.
-
Special hardware requirements: None.
-
Special software requirements: None.
-
Internet access: High-speed (greater than 1 MBPS via network).
Activity Description
- Have students divide into working groups; each group will select an issue on which to focus.
- Have students visit the news sites listed in our Internet Resources below. Students should
spend time reading and collecting examples of their issue in current events. Students may choose
to take notes on the stories or print out copies from the Web sites they visit. Note: This
activity is best carried out over a period of several days or weeks to allow students the chance
to learn about a variety of current events as they develop over time.
- Each working group should develop a brief news cast of the events they found that fit their
theme. Allow time for each group to give their news casts and for a whole group discussion
following the presentations.
Internet Resources
- Call your local or regional newspaper to see if they have a Website that your students
might use.
- The Christian Science Monitor
[http://www.csmonitor.com/]
The Web version of the Christian Science Monitor newspaper.
- CNN Interactive
[http://www.cnn.com/]
The Cable News Network's on-line news source.
- Welcome to the C-SPAN Networks
[http://www.c-span.org/]
C-SPAN provides excellent coverage of national legislative issues.
- Los Angeles Times Web Site
[http://www.latimes.com/HOME/]
The Los Angeles Times Web publication.
- Welcome to MSNBC
[http://www.msnbc.com/]
NBC and the Microsoft Network team up to provide news around the clock at this Web site.
- NPR Online
[http://www.npr.org/]
National Public Radio's Web site provides both audio and transcripts of many of its daily
stories.
- Top of the news
[http://www.usatoday.com/]
USAToday's Web site.
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