Monday is News Day!
This year as part of the Social Studies course, each
student will be responsible for preparing a short Current Events presentation.
This should include a summary of three recent news stories: one regional
(local/provincial), one national (Canadian) and one international/global.
The stories may be drawn from TV, radio, the newspaper, the Internet,magazines
like Time or Macleans, or from a combination of sources. Just be sure
that the facts are clearly outlined for us. Try to choose stories that
have built-in issues or long-term significance (not People’s weekly best-dressed
movie star list, for example).
The student then should lead the other students to an
understanding of how the major concept of “People develop a culture in order
to meet their needs” ties in with the stories. Make a connection between
each story and at least one cultural indicator (economic, political, kinship,
religious, artistic, recreational, educational). This may be done
through a personal analysis (editorial opinion), a discussion, an interview,
a quiz, a simulation or any other activity that I have approved ahead of
time.
Think about being creative! You can present this
like a newscast, as a newspaper, as a display, or in some other form, if
you like. If you need my help with photocopying or any other task,
please give me reasonable notice. I can provide some help with finding
materials, if necessary. For example, if your family does not receive
a newspaper, you will be able to photocopy articles from the school issue.
I can provide issues of Time and Macleans. The public library also
can be an excellent source of materials.
Start right away to listen to at least one news broadcast
every day on the radio or TV, and make it a habit to read the newspaper
if your family receives one. If you are travelling, pay attention
to the issues and events that are considered newsworthy elsewhere.
There will be a final exam, based not on small details
of news stories but on the bigger concepts discussed. The question
will probably be something like “How can an awareness of current events lead
us to a better understanding of culture? Give some specific examples
of what you have learned about culture from looking at regional, national
and world events from a cultural perspective.”
If a Monday becomes unavailable, expect to do the presentation
on Tuesday afternoon of the same week. If you need to switch with
someone, give him/her at least a week’s notice.
Minimum assignment:
1) Choose and summarize three current events stories, one regional,
one national and one international. (They can be on a related issue.)
You can read copies of highlights from the actual articles, provide us with
a fact sheet, stage a mini-newscast or come up with some other method of
ensuring that we understand the event clearly. (Be careful to avoid
giving opinions at this stage).
2) Discuss at least ONE of your articles from a cultural perspective.
You can give us your analysis (including opinions, so long as they are backed
up by evidence), or lead us in a discussion. You can have us work
through a simulation activity. You can have us write editorials or
a quiz. Just be sure that we are led to a deeper understanding of
the importance of culture through your presentation.
3) Your entire presentation will probably take about 10 minutes.
You will be marked according to how well you present your three stories and
how well you analyze their cultural importance. You do not necessarily
have to have an elaborate visual presentation—just be well-organized and sure
of what you are saying. Be sure to have some way of telling whether
we have understood the points you are making.
4) Here is a tentative schedule of presenters:
Sept. 23—Stacey DONE
Sept. 30—Shannon DONE
Oct. 7—Neall DONE
Oct. 21—Deze DONE
Oct. 28—Brent DONE
Nov. 4—Derek OOPS
Nov. 18—Kendra OOPS
Nov. 25—Jordyn OOPS
Dec. 2—Chris OOPS
Dec. 9—Matt OOPS
Dec. 16—Nikki OOPS
Jan. 13—Kristi (not done because I was away)
Jan. 20-Andrew
Jan. 27—Cheyeanna
Feb. 3—Andrea
Feb. 10—Shanda
Feb. 17—Angela
March 3—Corie
March 10—Katelyn
March 17—Amber
March 24—Sean
March 31—Adene
April 7—Alyssa
April 14—Alex
April 28—Kandis
May 5—Toni
May 12—Final Exam