One of the reasons that I became a teacher is because I believe in the power of an informed public. I believe democracy works best when people are engaged, active, and informed about the world around them. I have no delusions of grandeur, but I'd like to think that in some small way I'm helping to make my community, my country, and our world a better place by teaching social studies.
Obviously, if we want students to be active and engaged citizens when they reach adulthood, then we need to develop in them a desire to be informed. Students of all ages need to, at some level, know what's going on in the world. Unfortunately, the world can be a scary and confusing place. Most news outlets do very little to change the perception; many make it worse. When one turns on a nightly news program, one is likely to find a talking head yelling, criticizing, and explaining why their opinion is right and our country is doomed. This is not productive for a young audience. How do I, a social studies teacher, teach my students about current issues without diving into the cesspool of cable news? I was pleased to discover the a news program from my youth is still on the air 20 years later: Nick News with Linda Ellerbee. A quick look at the website will reveal that Nick News covers everything from the current blizzard in the Northeast to a feature piece on Title IX. Many of the stories focus on issues important to students such as education, sports, and ways that students are making an impact on the world. However, there is still plenty of room for more hard-news such as politics, economic, environmental, and social issues. All of these however, are presented in a way that is appropriate for students ages 11 and up. As teachers, we have an obligation to teach our students about more then just the curriculum in the book. Students are curious and they are observant. They hear what adults talk about and what is on the TV. Sometimes it is best that we use our platform, when appropriate, to answer their questions and help them better understand the world in which they live. Whether we do that through a class discussion, a project, or a homework assignment, sites such as Nick News can help.
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Trent AshcraftI'm a Social Studies teacher in Louisville, KY. I teach AP US History, AP Government, and AP Microeconomics and I drink too much coffee. ArchivesCategories |