Non Fiction and current events

Introduce Non Fiction and Current Events Through... Television Internet News Magazines Time for Kids (grades 2 -5) Scholastic News (all grades) Upfront (5 – high school) Science Weekly (all grades) On Special Assignment.....: Students choose topic to research.

Television (State of the Union Address) What were the major themes that the President chose to address? (Example, immigration, poverty, taxes, war, economy)   Choose one of his themes and write a few sentences giving details from the speech. Where does the speech take place? Name at least five people who shook hands with the President. Describe the room/atmosphere. Give any detail that you observe. Who are the people sitting behind him as he gives his speech? Give title of position and name. Giving a speech in front of so many people is very difficult. The whole country is watching him on TV! Write down some details of how the President delivers his speech. How is this speech similar or different to the speeches made by Brutus and Mark Anthony? Compare President Obama’s speech to that given by Patrick Henry. (Some areas to compare: tone, style of delivery, content, setting, audience).

Magazines

Magazine Article and the Internet Counting America How does the U.S. census impact our daily life? 2) What are the challenges faced by the 2010 census? 3) Look at the graph on page two. Compare the 1980 census with the 2010 (projected) figures. 4) Explore this website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php. What are the ten questions on the census form and what is their purpose? 5) Check out the home page http://www.census.gov/ . Pick any one topic and comment on it.

Organization and Classroom Management (Television) Get date and time correct. Teach students how to get ready for viewing. Get the worksheet ready, Watch the show yourself. Give a couple of days after viewing to turn in work. Allocate time to discuss in class. Very Important!

Organization and Classroom Management (Internet) Preview website Create a link on your blog or website to prevent unnecessary wanderings in cyberspace. Get the worksheet ready. Allocate time to discuss in class. Very Important!

Organization and Classroom Management (Magazines) If your school can afford it, order magazines in August so that you have a steady supply. If your school cannot afford the buy the magazines, go online for the articles. Read each issue to make the best use of the information. Get the worksheet ready. Allocate time to discuss in class. Very Important!

Resources and Contact Information National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ Time For Kids: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/ Scholastic Magazines (Scholastic News, Junior Scholastic, Upfront, Super Science): http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/classmags.asp