[bugfrug01]

I'm searching for innovative and interesting ways to integrate current events into social studies curriculum. I'd say it's easier in some subjects- civics, American history, government, etc. but what about subjects like world history? I think it's important to make the connection between social studies and current events to show its relevance- just drawing a blank.

One idea would be to use political cartoons as a warm up. Every day we review a political cartoon and it's significance- then move on to the lesson. Thoughts?

[ajmm115]

Current events are great ways to compare modern with ancient. For instance, right now there is a monetary crisis in Greece. Comparing/discussing which city is capital now with the Peloponesian War (please forgive my spelling) and discussing what problems Greece had then with what problems they have now.

Writing a letter to an ancient leader - Alexander the Great, for instance - and telling him/her what is happening to his country now was fun for my students. I know we did one for the Shoguns/Edo regime in Japan and for Montezuma. Bringing in some events from both periods in history into the letter really reinforces their understanding of how countries evolve. AJ

[mrsb12247]

CNN Student News does a 10 minute news broadcast of the most current news, including a human interest story, and printables and daily discussion questions. My 7th graders love it..they could spend all period debating everything they see!

Just google CNN Student news...

[Gioia 730]

This is amazing and I will be using it this coming school year! Thanks SO much!

[isomtw]

I recently read Readicide and am trying to incorporate current event/worldly articles into my reading/social studies curriculum. I went on line and found a bunch of articles that are at my students' reading levels and converted them to word documents. I'm going to have them mark them up to show their thinking, confusion, & questions.

Next I'm going to spray paint 3 cork boards black & hang them in the room with the original articles above each one. I'm going to require that each student responds to at least 1 article a week. They may also respond to other students' posts.

I'm hoping that by calling it a Twitter board, the students will be more enthusiastic about reading nonfiction & interact with each other.

[bryanswife]

We watch channel one online. It only takes about 5 minutes & there are a variety of topics covered.