It is important to study current events (CE.)A major goal of our GSP/FEEP is to create well rounded, informed students who are aware of the world around them and their place in it.
Studying CE can lead to discussions and debates. Also, a student may identify a problem in the news and through a presentation of that problem to our class, we then might group together to perform a community service project. Studying current events is essential to developing critical thinking skills. In this day of instant news, and the internet, being a consumer of news is an active process. Rather than just finding out or being told what happened in the world, we investigate the source, judge motive, experience, decern fact from opinion, and bias. Because CE plays a pivital role in our class,
I require each intermediate student to be prepared to report on a CE story each week.
Summaries are to include:
- Date
- Source
- Who
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
- How
- Underlying cause, names, titles, quotes. Students should be prepared to talk about the author's point of view and level of bias contained in the story.
The Concept of Bias
Bias - Favoring one side or position over another. Usually for personal benefit.
Why do we need to recognize bias? So we can be informed when we need to make decisions based on the information a source gives to us.
Credibility - The amount of trust or believability we can have in a source
Scientific Language - Avoid absolutes!!! Try not to say “The land owner is biased.” instead... The land owner appears to be.... The author seems to... The article suggests......
Bias is expressed on a scale: with objectivity being center or neutral of bias. Extreme, very, somewhat ------ Objective ------ Somewhat, very Extreme.
Examples of degrees of bias and how to report:
School Board Member “A” supports putting a pool at Space Coast Middle School. He feels this school is “better suited” for a pool arguing the school has a newer building. He also has two children that go to this school.
School Board member “A” appears to be very biased in favor of putting the pool at Spacecoast. While he gives what may be a good reason that the school is “better suited” for a pool due to the newer building, We don’t really know if that is a major factor. The fact that his children will benefit makes his judgment something we should question!!!!
School Board Member “B” supports putting a pool at Clearlake. He argues a pool at this school will attract the best athletes and will help raise money for the school by having a better sports program. He is a representative of Clearlake families.
School Board Member “B” appears to be biased in favor of placing the new pool at Clearlake. He also argues what might be a very good argument, but again, he does represent Clearlake families. This would benefit Clearlake families of which he represents. But This may not be the best place for a new pool.
School Board Member “C” Does not support any pool. She believes the money spent should be used to fund a new theater. This school member has always been an opponent against sports.
School Board member “C” appears to be extremely biased against all sports and therefore, her views should be considered cautiously knowing she has always been against sports programs.
School Board Member “D” Believes all schools should get a pool. This member wants research to see what pool could be built at what school first for the cheapest amount of money. This member plans to conduct fund raisers with the goal of creating a pool at each school by the end of the decade.
School Board member “D” appears to be very objective in this matter. He appears to have little bias basing his argument on that the cost should be a measure of placing a pool at a school and that he plans that all schools should eventually get a pool.
NEWS LINKSMr.G's Essay Page
CSPAN Good place for non biased political and historical information.
Yahooligans Search Engine For Kids.
Florida Today Newspaper
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