USA TODAY Education » Uncategorized

U TODAY June 7, 2011

admin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:37:31 +0000

U TODAY June 7, 2011.

A TEST

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:49:26 +0000

September 13 – 17, 2010

ngromen — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:32:28 +0000

The celebration of Constitution Day will be on Friday this week, September 17. On this historic day in 1787, 39 of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed their names and put the weight of their reputations and service to their country behind the document. The subsequent ratification process was what really tested and embodied the powerful and revolutionary concept of popular sovereignty — government by the people.

The fact that our Constitution is a living document that continues to frame our laws and government can be seen in the amendments made after ratification — the Bill of Rights.

Using Amendment 1, divide the class into groups and assign each group one of the five key freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or

of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Have each group, using USA TODAY, find an issue or controversy that represents their assigned freedom. Discuss the article:

How does the article relate to the amendment?
Are there facts or supporting viewpoints in the article?
Opposing facts or viewpoints?
What is the group’s position on the issue or controversy?
Are the principles of the Amendment being upheld? Undermined?

September 7-10, 2010

ngromen — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:35:02 +0000

This coming weekend, we will observe the ninth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, a devastating day in our nation’s history.

The direct attacks on American targets and the resulting loss of nearly 3,000 lives inspired a renewed sense of patriotic vigilance and focused our attention on family and community. In the aftermath, our lives were forever changed. But for students the changes may not be as apparent as they are to adults. This exercise will help students identify changes within our society and why those changes took place.

Briefly discuss the events of 9/11. Then divide the class into four groups. Ask each group to identify one area of our society, economy or government that was impacted by 9/11. Using all sections of the newspaper, groups will find articles that focus on that topic. Topics might include: immigration/border security, airline travel, national economy, diplomacy/foreign relations, U.S. military defense, race/ethnic relations, religious tolerance/intolerance, communication such as books, movies or music, etc.

Groups will create a chart with three columns: Pre-9/11, Post-9/11, Today. Use the chart to identify the topic the group has chosen and record observations and facts from their articles.

As a class, answer several questions using the facts presented in the articles:

How have Americans changed since 9/11?
What has changed on a national scale? Have some changes been strictly local in their effects (NYC, Washington, D.C.)?
What changes have taken place on an individual level?
Based on what they have found, and using problem-solving strategies, create a "positive impact."

August 30 – September 3

ngromen — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:43:05 +0000

Divide the class into small groups. Have the groups search all sections of USA TODAY to find an article about recent developments in education. (Each group should have a different article to discuss.)

Have each group spend 5-10 minutes reading the article. Then, list facts they find from the article in the following categories:

What is the social significance of the news in the article? Are various social groups affected differently? Might there be inequities for some groups? Why?
How might quality of education be affected for your class?
What kinds of economic impact will the news have? Consider individual, family, local and national economic impacts.
What personal or emotional effects (if any) might this education news have on this group of students?
Have the groups examine any negative impacts or outcomes they have found, and using problem-solving strategies, create a positive impact for your class.

Lastly, share the results as a class.

September 14-18, 2009

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:02:01 +0000

On Tuesday, September 8, President Obama gave a special speech to students across the nation. He encouraged young people to discover what they are good at and work hard to become even better at it. He said, "We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you quit on school, you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country."

On paper, list two talents and two skills that you have or want to develop. Next, list two topics that you are interested in studying. Now, skim the paper and jot down some of the problems the country is facing. Finally, explain how developing the talents, skills or subject knowledge you identified could help solve one of the problems you read about.

May 25-29, 2009

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:12:39 +0000

In 1918, President Wilson outlined his “14 Points” for lasting peace after World War I. In small groups, create a list of “7 points for lasting peace in Iraq" (or Afghanistan). Use information from today’s paper along with your knowledge of the war to help you formulate each recommendation. Compile all groups’ suggestions on the board. Then, as a class, decide on the most effective and realistic strategies.

ELL – Special Days and Dates Lesson Archive

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:26:13 +0000

February is Black History Month. The contributions of black Americans — inventors, politicians, doctors, lawyers, actors, etc. — are all around us. Peruse today’s paper, and find an example of an African American who is helping to shape the U.S.’s future. Summarize his or her accomplishments on paper.

How many stories and graphics in today’s paper are related to Valentine’s Day? How important do you think Valentine’s Day is to the American public? Show 10 peers a list of holidays that includes Valentine’s Day, and ask each person to rank the days from most to least favorite. Create a graphic that displays the results of your poll.

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is “XXXX.” Find three examples of women leaders in today’s paper who embody this theme. Write a one or two sentence description of each person.

Using words clipped from today’s headlines, create a new headline that describes one of your mom’s accomplishments. Then, write a brief article about your mother to accompany your headline. (If possible, paste a photo of your mom next to the story.) Present your mom with the final product on Mother’s Day.

Using words clipped from today’s headlines, create a new headline that describes one of your dad’s accomplishments. Then, write a brief article about your father to accompany your headline. (If possible, paste a photo of your dad next to the story.) Present your dad with the final product on Father’s Day.

Happy Halloween! Look through USA TODAY, and cut out words, pictures, graphs, etc. that are related to Halloween. Use the newspaper clippings to create a colorful collage that illustrates what’s eerie and entertaining about this holiday!

>
Look through today’s paper for election coverage from around the country. Which races are hotly contested? Which are predictable? Which party — the Democrats or Republicans — do you think will gain control of the Senate? Why is voting important? Is it a privilege or a duty? Explain.

Veterans Day marks the end of the first World War and also“designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations …”* How can governments promote peace at home and abroad? What can you do to honor the men and women who have and who are serving in our nations armed forces?

Miami-Dade Reading Program

ngromen — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:13:24 +0000

Dear Miami-Dade Reading Teacher:

Congratulations on your participation in USA TODAY’s Reading Program. Below are some resources that will help you effectively leverage the program in your classroom. If you have any questions, issues or concerns, please feel free to email Julie Parslow at jparslow@usatoday.com. Thank you for partnering with USA TODAY Education on this exciting new program.

► Getting Started - Quick Tip Sheet for Teachers

► Lessons:

1: Personal Poster

2: Introducing USA TODAY

3: The inverted pyramid

► Standards alignment - Cross-reference chart