As educators, you put students at the center of your work, and at NLP, we do the same. With that in mind we recently hosted a webinar, Empowering Students with News Literacy, in partnership with edWeb and a few of our NewsLit Nation Ambassadors: Jeff Kaufman, Dr. James Stancil and Dr. Cathy Collins. Many educators are motivating students to turn assignments into action, making this a well-attended and engaging event. If you missed it, please watch the recording here.
The webinar is just one example of why NLP is your go-to resource for integrating news literacy concepts into your lessons. It’s a mission we are happy to fulfill! You can join NLP’s News Literacy Educator Network — NewsLit Nation — and participate in a community of fellow educators working to positively impact the next generation of voters, leaders and civically engaged citizens.
NewsLit Nation Speaks – Student Edition
Checkology® Student Contest: Patterns! Patterns! Everywhere!
Our brains are so good at finding patterns that sometimes we invent them by seeing them in random details. This is called “illusory pattern perception” (or “patternicity”). In the current contest on our Checkology e-learning platform, students are making posters or infographics that explain the dangers of creating or believing false evidence rooted in patternicity. Contest submissions are due March 26, and the winner will receive a swag bag from NLP! Click here to learn more about Checkology contests.
Miami-Dade County Student Article Contest
Student voice is a catalyst for positive change in schools and communities. For this reason, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in partnership with NLP, is hosting a writing contest to empower students to be civically informed and engaged. Schools should submit their top two winning essays per grade to Monica Valdes, Miami NewsLit ambassador, at [email protected]. Only students in grades 6-12 in Miami-Dade County Public Schools may participate, with support from a teacher.
Prompts
Explain how the First Amendment protects freedom of the press.
How can citizens fact-check well-known figures (journalists, celebrities, influencers, athletes, etc.)?
Citizens have responsibilities — things that they should do but are not required to do by law. Why would providing reliable information be a responsibility?
Resources
Flipgrid
This month, as we mark one year since the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives, NLP is adding a new collection, “COVID-19 and Vaccines,” to our Flipgrid partner page. The prompts included in this collection will help you and your students engage in a video discussion to identify and combat timely public heath misinformation. Topics covered include how to identify a true subject matter expert versus a pseudo-expert, and what to say when addressing friends about misinformation. New to Flipgrid? Visit its getting started resources so you can begin using the new collection in your classroom in the coming days.
Newsroom to Classroom
Are you interested in having a professional journalist share their expertise with students during a virtual or in-person visit with your students? Our Newsroom to Classroom program and its directory of journalist volunteers are available through Checkology and can help you set up engaging news literacy conversations.
More than 100 vetted journalists are willing to speak with you and your students on a range of topics, including political coverage, standards of quality journalism, misinformation, the First Amendment and social media issues. Using your Checkology account, you can filter journalists by areas of expertise, languages spoken and location. Check out the Classroom Connection Planning Sheet for ideas on how to structure your visit around specific learning objectives. Connecting with the journalists behind the headlines can serve as a powerful news literacy learning experience for students. Learn more about the Newsroom to Classroom program here.
“TRUST ME” Documentary
Don’t forget, the “TRUST ME” documentary and classroom viewing guide are still available. The documentary delves into manipulation and misinformation by exploring human nature, information technology and how news and media literacy can engender trust. Use the password NLP-Teacher to access the film. Our classroom viewing guide helps you use the film as a teaching tool and can be adapted to your needs. You can find the registration link and more information on Page 7 of the viewing guide.
Register for Office Hours — held the last Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. PT/ 4:30 p.m. ET — for tips and updates on using Checkology and to get answers to your questions. The next session is March 25.
Best regards,
Ebonee Rice, Vice President, Educator Network
