when big news happens -- TEACHERS' LOUNGE

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Date Posted: 03:13:58 08/19/04 Thu
Author: dpego
Subject: when big news happens

Someone recently asked how to use the newspaper as a teaching tool in the classroom on those days when the front-page is a shocker.

It may be easier than it sounds. But, you definitely have to increase your preparation time.

Rest assured that many of your students will aleady know that some large event has happened because of newspsper deadlines. Most newspapers are finishing their final editions around midnight. That gives them time to run off the thousands of copies needed, and load them into large trucks to get them to stores and doorstepsa. So, when some large-scale news event -- a horrific natural calamity such as a hurricane or a manmade disaster such as a aschool shooting -- takes place, many people have seen news bulletins or newscasts on television explaining what has happened.

When you using the newspaper in your classroom and hear of such an event, don't wait to get to school to get a newspaper. Go to a store newsrack and buy one. Then sit down and slowly read the coverage on the day's big story. After you do that, scan the other stories, looking for something very intersting but much more normal.

Later when students start arriving and picking up newspapers from their clasroom bundle, tell them to wait for a couple of minutes. Then give them a talk similar to this:

"Good morning, students. As usual on Thursdays, we're gonig to look at the newspaper today. But I wanted to ask y ou a couple of questions first.

"Why do you think the newspaper prints bad news? Yes, because people want to know when something bad has occurred -- especially if it's important to all of us here in our community. Today, there has been a large bus wreck that killed some people from the Lexington Avenue Pentecostal Church. We're going to read about that news story, but we're going to read about other things as well.

"Did any of you aleady know about the bus wreck? And do any of you know anyone who goes to that church? Jerelyn, since you know someone who goes to that church, would you rather not read sections of the paper that dead with the bus crash? OK,if so, we can just have you read the Lifestyle, Business and Sports Sections today.

"OK, let's pass out the newspapers and Billy, would you please give one to Jerelyn that does not have the front section. Thanks Billy!

"OK, as usual, look at what you want and let's talk about what has caught your eye in about 10 minutes... Go aheaed and read..."

When a big story happens, approach classroom newspaper reading with a bit more formality so you will have more control of discussions. Always put big stories into perspective explaining that while there was a huge hurricane that killed hundreds in two states, there were 48 states where nothing much unusual happened.

Explaln that newspapers and television reports bring us the baddest, most unusual events they can find. But they also try to add in the fact that people are trying their best to help others after the event has occurred. And sometimes there are ways you and your students can help too. Maybe they'll want to hold a fund-raising drive, selling cookies, to help families of the bus crash. Turn tragedy into a learnling experience even if you're just reading about it. Students will have to face adversity someday and teaching them to be prepared is always a good idea.

Good luck.

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