Social Studies class at Schuylkill Technology Centers- North Campus includes class discussions on current events in the United States and throughout the world. The various types of media used to research news items and information include newspapers, internet websites, television podcasts, and magazines. Students will analyze the news, report the facts presented to them in their “What’s New?” packets, and discuss those facts while presenting opinions through a whole-class discussion.

Examples:

Podcasts: NBC Nightly News w/ Lester Holt

The podcasts are broken up into news segments which are several different subjects/topics throughout the newscast. Topics may include, for example: politics, government, economy, weather, entertainment, medicine, science, charity, etc.

When writing in their “What’s New?” packets:

  1. Students should always write in complete sentences, while using proper grammar and punctuation.
  2. Separate and number/bullet each segment.
  3. Remember to write the number of segments and sentences in the left-hand margin, next to the date.
  4. For example: (4, 2) means 4 segments, 2 sentences each

Newspapers: Republican Herald

The newspapers are broken up into sections and articles. The three sections of news articles students will focus on include: local topics (Schuylkill and surrounding counties), national topics (United States, including the Pittsburgh/Philadelphia section of Pennsylvania), and international topics (news from around the world).

Students will choose one local article, one national article, and one international/world article to read about. The sports sections and classifieds/advertisements sections are off limits. Students may not write about these topics. Of course, if a student finishes the assignment, they are welcome to read these articles or any other articles of their choosing.

When writing in their “What’s New?” packets:

  1. Students should always write in complete sentences, while using proper grammar and punctuation.
  2. Separate and label each type of article (local, national, world)
  3. Remember to write the number of sentences for each type of article in the left-hand margin, next to the date.
  4. For example: Local-3

National-3

World-2

Internet Websites:BBC News

Students will access the British Broadcasting Corporation website using the following url web address:

The BBC News website has news articles and video clips broken up into sections based on what region of the world the news came from. The following regions can be accessed by clicking on the tabs on top of the webpage: US & Canada, Latin America, UK, Africa, Asia, Europe, Mid-East.

The teacher will assign a particular number of tabs or specific tabs which the students will investigate and report on the news of the world. For example, Mr. Mack picks “Latin America, Africa, Mid-East” as specific tabs. The student will click on “Latin America,” read an article (and possibly watch a short video clip on that article). They will then write about the article in their “What’s New?” packets. Then they will click on “Africa” and “Mid-East” doing the same as they did for “Latin America.”

When writing in their “What’s New?” packets:

  1. Students should always write in complete sentences, while using proper grammar and punctuation.
  2. Separate and label each type of article (US & Canada, Latin America, UK, Africa, Asia, Europe, and/or Mid-East)
  3. Remember to write the number of sentences for each type of article in the left-hand margin, next to the date.
  4. For example: US & Canada-2

Asia-2

Europe-2

Mid-East- 2

Magazines: The New York Times: Upfront

This assignment will be in the form of a journal entry on a separate sheet of paper. Upfront assignments will not be included in the “What’s New?” packets!

Students are welcome to read through the entire Upfront magazine, looking at various charts, pictures, and articles. They will choose one article to analyze and write about. The teacher will select around 3 to 5 different articles which the students may choose from to read and write about. Students may not write about articles that have not been pre-selected by Mr. Mack. Of course, if a student finishes the assignment, they are welcome to read other articles and look at pictures throughout the magazine.

When writing a journal entry:

  1. Students should always write in complete sentences, while using proper grammar and punctuation.
  2. Journal entries must be two paragraphs, at minimum.
  3. Each paragraph must be five complete sentences, at minimum.
  4. Read the entire article. When finished reading, look at any pictures, charts, graphs, or side notes/footnotes that accompany the article and think about what you just read.
  5. Begin writing your first paragraph on a separate sheet of lined paper. The first paragraph will always be about the facts of the article. Another words, what did you read about? It’s your journal; write it in your own words!
  6. When finished writing the facts, write your next paragraph giving your opinion on what you read about using the facts to support your thoughts.