NewsLit Nation Insider: Happy Holidays and a fact-based New Year

Hang on, we’re almost there! No doubt we’ve all had challenging moments during this difficult year, and as educators, you’ve experienced more than your share of struggles. But the holiday break is just around the corner. Because of you, we look toward 2021 with a renewed faith in a future founded on facts. 

We’ll be with you every step of the way as you help us reach students with the skills they need to avoid falling prey to the real-life consequences of misinformation.

But we need your input to better understand your needs and to design materials that work best for you! Please complete this brief anonymous survey about Wikipedia. And when you do, we’ll enter you in a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards.

Because we also want to hear from your students, we’re adding a new feature to The Sift, our weekly email newsletter for educators. Beginning in January, Ask a Journalist will tackle student questions about journalism, media and news literacy. We’ll draw on the expertise of former reporters on our staff and experts in the field to provide clear and comprehensive answers to students’ toughest questions. Please encourage your students to submit their questions here.

News-Smart Students with ABC-CLIO: Recognizing that facts are the foundation of our democracy, we are partnering with the News-Smart Students with ABC-CLIO program to empower students to navigate the challenging information landscape. Our first event — Know the Why: Understanding Content Creators’ Purpose — is TODAY at 4 p.m. ET. Register now! Space is limited. (Registration gives you complimentary access to exclusive webinars, the American Government and Issues databases and the School Library Connection through February.) 

NewsLitCamp®: Join NLP, CNN Worldwide and educators from around the country on Jan. 26 for a NewsLitCamp, a professional development experience featuring breakout sessions with CNN television and digital journalists. This program is one in a national series of NewsLitCamps we are offering in collaboration with a diverse group of news organizations around the country. Sign up today to reserve your seat. Check out the video above to see what NewsLitCamp can offer you!

TRUST ME Documentary and the importance of news literacy: Don’t forget, the TRUST ME documentary and classroom viewing guide is still available. The documentary delves into manipulation and misinformation by exploring human nature, information technology and how news and media literacy can engender trust. Our classroom viewing guide helps you use the film as a teaching tool and can be adapted to your needs.

Checkology® office hours: If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to explore the Checkology virtual classroom and find out about new updates and resources. Office hours are held during the last Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. PT/ 4:30 p.m. ET.  Each webinar includes a live Q & A. Register now. Watch this short video to get a taste of what Checkology is all about!

Best regards, 

Ebonee Rice 
Vice president, educator network 

P.S. Our free resources and programs are underwritten entirely by donations. If you become a monthly donor right now, we’ll thank you with a special gift — a custom mask that keeps you healthy and lets everyone know that you care about “A future founded on facts.” Thank you for all you do!