Introduction:
Keeping students engaged and informed about current events is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. By incorporating current events into your classroom, you can foster critical thinking skills and help students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Here are eight smart ways to teach current events in the classroom in 2017:
1. Start with a Daily News Brief:
Begin each class or week with a short news briefing, summarizing the major events from around the world. This will keep students updated on the latest news and create a routine for discussing current events.
2. Analyze News Articles:
Select a few relevant news articles and work through them as a class. Teach students to analyze news sources, identify bias, and evaluate the credibility of the information presented.
3. Discuss Social Media:
Social media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. Encourage students to share and discuss news stories they come across on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. This will not only enhance their understanding of current events but also develop their digital literacy skills.
4. Arrange Guest Speakers:
Invite guest speakers, such as journalists or experts in a particular field, to share their insights on current events. This will provide students with diverse perspectives and enable them to ask questions directly to people involved in reporting news.
5. Conduct Mock Press Conferences:
Organize mock press conferences where students can take on the roles of journalists and public figures. They can research and present their findings on a current event, encouraging critical thinking and presentation skills.
6. Engage in Debates:
Divide the class into groups and assign them different perspectives on a current event. Encourage lively debates, where students can argue their viewpoints based on research and evidence. This activity will sharpen their analytical thinking and communication skills.
7. Connect Local Issues to Global Events:
Help students connect local issues to broader global events. Encourage them to research how current events impact their community and discuss possible solutions or actions.
8. Encourage Independent Research:
Assign students a current event to research independently each week and have them present a summary of their findings to the class. This will enhance their research skills and stimulate discussions about various topics.
Conclusion:
By incorporating these eight smart ways of teaching current events, you can empower your students to develop a well-rounded understanding of the world. By fostering critical thinking, analysis, and engagement, you can help them become informed global citizens who are ready to tackle the challenges of the future.
