A Formula For Current Events Lessons: Prior Knowledge + Analysis + Solving A Problem = Relevancy

Newspapers are changing into varied text-based formats thriving on the net, and students need ways to engage these new incarnations of current events articles, ways to consider how events can impact their lives.  The tools and challenges we give them must go beyond the “here are the facts, now summarize” methods many of us faced through our years in school.

Relevancy is the key. Prompt students to (1) attach prior knowledge to an article’s topic; (2) analyze the article’s central problem; (3) select, propose, and support specific solutions to the problem, and (4) use well-structured informative or persuasive writing to create an information-supported proposal.  Students making personal connections to content and tasks become engaged students wanting to problem-solve.

Here are eight recommendations to promote relevancy in current events activities:

1) Select a recent article (avoid website’s archived articles);

2) Select an article with a clear problem or problems;

3) Conduct a pre-read for which students are held accountable;

4) Provide opportunities to connect prior-knowledge to the article’s topic;

5) Require students to identify and state the central problem;

6) Provide a “During Reading” tool for students to collect and organize key facts;

7) Guide students through identifying solutions in the article and/or proposing solutions, and

8) Scaffold a well-structured persuasive or informative paragraph on a specific solution.

Two examples following these recommendations– ready-made strategies to implement in your classrooms with little prep time– can be found at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Two-Reading-Strategies-To-Engage-Students-In-Current-Events-Problem-Solving-865208.  This digital package includes a strategy based upon the traditional B-D-A format and one using a problem-solving method called PACE.  Versions accommodated for special needs students are also included.

Giving students personal reasons to read current events and opportunities to propose solutions invest them in the reading and writing process and awaken them to a world greater than their personal twitter feeds.