Current Events Project Class #2

Current Events Cubed

Here it is. Our new social studies project begins today! You will select a current issue in the news. Next, you'll read one news article about the issue and two opinion/editorials. You'll use information from these sources to create your Current Events Cube.

The project's learning targets are:
1. I can determine the central ideas of a news article.
2. I can identify an author's claim and explain how they use evidence to back up their claim.

Step 1: News Article

Read your news article and complete a Current Events Investigation.

Step 2: Opinion/Editorial

Read two opinion/editorial articles to understand multiple perspectives on the issue. Complete a Perspective note catcher.

Step 3: The Cube

Begin constructing your cube!

Possible Topics

Space Travel

• News
• Opinion 1
• Opinion 2

Nuclear Energy

• News
• Pro/Con

Toy Drones

• News
• Opinion 1
• Opinion 2

Voter ID Laws

• News
• Opinion 1
• Opinion 2

Gun Rights

• News
• Opinion 1
• Opinion 2

Climate Change
Opinion 1
Opinion 2 

iPhone Security
Opinion 1

Hoverboard
Opinion 1

Exotic Pets
Opinion 1
Opinion 2

Current Event Project Class #1

Class #8 - Flint Michigan Water Crisis

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/01/19/michigan-flint-water-contamination/78996052/

Class #7 - Meet the Candidates

Today, each of you will research a presidential candidate.

1) You will use a note catcher to record notes about the candidate.

2) Finally, you will present this information to your classmates.

3) The class will then take a vote.

Resources for activity:

• http://election.scholastic.com/election-central/meet-the-candidates/
• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/tag/what-the-candidates-believe/

Class #6 - Current Events Investigation

LT: I can determine the central ideas of a news article.

Good morning, young citizens!

Today, I've selected four news articles. Each student will choose one of the following articles for a short current events investigation. You don't need to print the article. You can simply read it on your iPad. The substitute will provide you with a Current Events Investigation handout (You can see it below). Read the article, complete as much of this handout as possible and turn it in at the end of the period. This is not HW. This is just a way to gauge your ability to read a news article and determine the central ideas. Give it your best shot!


Today's Articles:

Driverless cars zooming past cities' preparations, report says
https://newsela.com/articles/autonomouscars-cities/id/14689/

In a first, computer program beats top player of the ancient board game Go
https://newsela.com/articles/computer-gogame/id/14626/

More than 1 million people sought refuge in Europe this year, report says
https://newsela.com/articles/onemillion-migrants/id/13838/

Mayor proposes raising tobacco-buying age to 21 to curb teen smoking
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-minimum-tobacco-age-emanuel-met-20160117-story.html

Yesterday's Articles:
Marco Rubio becomes early hope for mainstream U.S. Republicans
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-iowa-idUSMTZSAPEC21V82B3P

ISIS pushed back in Iraq, Syria, but a threat in Libya: Kerry
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-coalition-idUSKCN0VA3RE

Africa, Asia vulnerable to spread of Zika virus: WHO
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-zika-idUSKCN0VB145

Japan, South Korea stick to coal despite global climate deal
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-summit-coal-idUSKBN0TY2TG20151216

Around the World Conclusion - Class #4

Today's Agenda 

1. Finalize presentations (15 mins)
2. Complete Around the World Passports (15 mins)
3. Conclusion Discussion (Circle) (20 mins)
4. Self-Assessment (20 mins) - Complete the form below. Write your answers in Pages first. Finally, copy them into this form. We don't want to lose anyone's work!

Around The World Mini-Project

This week's Social Studies schedule:

MONDAY Jan 25 Class #1 Seq. 2 Seq. 3 Seq. 4

TUESDAY Jan 26 Class #1 Seq. 1 Class #2 Seq. 3 Seq. 2

WEDNESDAY Jan 27 Class #2 Seq. 4 Class #2 Seq. 1

THURSDAY Jan 28 Class #3 Seq. 1 Seq. 2 Seq. 3 Seq. 4

FRIDAY Jan 29 Class #4 Seq. 1 Seq. 2 Seq. 3

Class #1 - Continue and finalize research about your country.
Useful Resources
LINK to Britannica (http://school.eb.com.ursus-proxy-9.ursus.maine.edu/levels)
LINK to Kids NatGeo (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/kids/en_US/)

Class #2 - Begin creating your product (Keynote, poster, etc.) for the Around The World Celebration.

Class #3 - Share your work at the Around The World Celebration.

Class #4 - To Be Announced