Current Events

There have been several questions about current events.  We went over in class what a current event is and is not.  I had students to look at newspapers and we discussed the fact that just because something is in the newspaper does not make it a current event.  We discussed when sports is and is not a current event and when weather is and is not a current event.  We also discussed editorials and columns that may be discussing an event that is in the news, but that it is someone's opinion, so it is not a current event. 

We also did a sample current event in class.  I showed the students the things that were needed in order to get credit for a current event.  I also showed them how to write a summary.  We used the template that is online.  We answered the questions of who, what, when, where, why and how.  Then we took 3 of those answers and put them into one sentence and the other 3 into another sentence.  In current events 3+3=2.  Two sentences is the perfect length for a summary.  If they are writing more than 3 sentences, they are probably not summarizing.  The students do not have to use the template that is online, nor do they have to write out the answers to those questions.  I am looking at the summary to know that they have read and understood the facts of the article.

The 6 items that I check are:
1.  The student's name
2.  The newspaper name or online source for the article
3.  The date the article was in the paper or posted online. (Friday to Friday to be current)
4.  the summary
5. the article attached (stapled, paperclipped, taped) to their sheet with their summary and other information
6  folded one time lengthwise and placed in the folder for their class.

The current events can only be turned in on Friday.  If they are absent on Friday, the first day they return.  They can only turn in ONE per week.  I will give an announced catch up week when students can turn in two.  Students must turn in 5 during the nine weeks in order to make a 100.  If they turn in more than 5, they will receive extra credit.  CURRENT EVENTS COUNT AS A TEST GRADE.

The current event activity and sample current event should be in your child's notebook.  There is also a section on current events on the Student Expectations sheet.

I will keep this post up for the rest of the year.