Current Events Lesson Plans

	Antarctica		Current Events Sites To Use With Students
	Canada		Japan
	China		Today in History

1. An Approach to Current Events- This activity is designed to encourage students to read newspapers and to watch network and local news reports. This increases critical thinking skills, encouraging analysis and criticism.
2. At the Heights of Conflict- In this lesson, students learn about the historic and present conflict between Israel and Syria over the Golan Heights through reading and discussing news articles and other resources.
3. Choices Education Project- Offers classroom publications.
4. Conflict Resolution in Congo: Is There an Answer?- Through research and participation in a simulation of a meeting of African nations, students will investigate and attempt to resolve the current conflict in Congo and the neighboring nations.
5. Current Events- To acquaint students with different nations, their locations, and their cultures.
6. Current Events Awareness- To increase student awareness of current events at local, national and international levels.
7. Current Events Awareness #2- To focus student attention on current issues in the news of special importance to them.
8. Current Events, Geography- Students need to be aware of the events that are happening in their world. The best way to accomplish this is by reading the newspaper and becoming informed.
9. Current Event Jeopardy- In order to create some variety and fun while studying our weekly current event newsweek, we will create questions and answers to use in a game similar to Jeopardy.
10. Difference between local and national news- To help students understand what makes news in other cities and states, have them try a target-dating activity.
11. Family Newscast- The purpose of the activity is to allow the students to experience what takes place in the production of a newscast or newsmagazine on a specific issue.
12. In the Global Ballpark- In this lesson, students examine the reasons for and against American baseball teams playing in international exhibition games by debating the pros and cons of the issue from the perspectives of designated personas.
13. Inaugural Classroom, The- Lesson Plans on the Inauguration.
14. Kidding Around Down Under- In this lesson, students explore the dedication and hard work it takes for teen-aged athletes to succeed at the Olympic level of athleticism.
15. My Home is Not Your Home- In this lesson, students examine the tension in Slovakia over the issue of the rights of Romas (Gypsies).
16. Napster Faces the Music- In this lesson, students debate the ruling on the Napster online music service and consider its implications for intellectual property rights in the future.
17. Newsweek Education Program- A comprehensive site for current events learning.
18. One China, Two Systems- In this lesson, students demonstrate an understanding of the term "peaceful coexistence" and the role that the term plays in the current Chinese process for reunification with Taiwan.
19. Pilgrim's Progress- In this lesson, students research the historical and religious significance of the sites toured by Pope John Paul II on his pilgrimage to the Middle East and create travel brochures for each site.
20. Race to the Presses- In this lesson, students explore how the news media relays information about race in the United States by creating collages from newspapers and magazines and by sharing their reflections about the responsibilities of the news media in covering race-related topics.
21. Setting Up Camp- In this lesson, students develop a better understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the perspectives of those involved. Students examine several important issues to be discussed at the Camp David summit meeting beginning on July 11, 2000, and articulate opinions on each issue from various perspectives.
22. Supplementary Angles- By examining coverage of an airplane disaster, students develop an understanding of the journalistic concept of the "news angle."
23. The Source of Knowledge- In this lesson, students first explore the effects of the recent thaw between North Korea and South Korea on the opinions of South Koreans toward North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong Il. Students then work in small groups to examine the sources of information they use to form opinions of North Korea and South Korea and research the ways in which different media present information.
24. This Land Is My Land- In this lesson, students first explore the results of Zimbabwe's recent election and their impact on Zimbabwe's politics. Students then research and debate plans for land redistribution in Zimbabwe.
25. Turning Some Things Old into Something New- In this lesson, students explore five ways in which two companies can bond together to form one company (mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, joint ventures and hostile takeovers).
26. "United We Stand..."- Identify the fifteen member nations of the European Union on a map; speculate on how these countries might benefit from being in alliance with each other; understand basic details about the history and goals of the European Union.
27. Using the Internet to Express your Voice- Students understand the democratic principles of justice, equality, responsibility, and freedom and apply them to real-life situations. Students can accurately describe various forms of government and analyze issues that relate to the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.
28. What's In The News- multimedia instructional series that uses current events as a springboard for exploring history, geography, government, world cultures, science, language arts, and all other areas of the curriculum.
29. When Athletes Are Off-Base- In this lesson, students explore whether or not athletes have a responsibility to be role models in society. They then take a position on the John Rocker controversy by writing a persuasive letter to someone involved in the current dispute.