Current events can be a great way to teach students about world news, social problems and different cultures. However, it’s important for educators to keep in mind that the majority of current events are unfortunately negative. This can be difficult for some students to take in. To help them better cope with this, it’s a good idea for teachers to focus on the positive aspects of a story.
It’s also a good idea to give students resources that will help them recognize and distinguish between true and false information. This can be especially helpful for older students who may find themselves inundated with information on their social media feeds that could be harmful to their mental health.
The PBS NewsHour Extra offers resources for teaching current events, including lesson plans and activities. It’s also possible to find other educational materials at Academy 4SC, which has resources like worksheets, presentations and videos on a wide variety of topics that can be used in the classroom.
Another good resource for learning about current events is the website Resilient Educator, which provides four ways to connect news to lessons in social studies. These include the DIY NewsHour, Reading Like a Historian and even using zombies to teach about economics!
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