---
title: Actually Fake News
description: We are all burdened with the task of filtering out this “noise” to get to the heart of matters and not be distracted by loud, preference-driven commentary.
image: https://ideas.pixton.com/hubfs/actually_fake_news-001-1.png
---

**Subject: ELA (English Language Arts); Social Studies**

**Lesson Length: 45 mins - 1 hour**

**Topic: Credibility and Accuracy of Sources**

**Grade Level: 6, 7, 8**

**Standards / Framework: **

- [CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.8](https://learning.ccsso.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ELA_Standards1.pdf)
- [CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8](https://learning.ccsso.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ELA_Standards1.pdf)
- [CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.8](https://learning.ccsso.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ELA_Standards1.pdf)
- [CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.8](https://learning.ccsso.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ELA_Standards1.pdf)
- [C3: D2.Civ.1.6-8](https://www.socialstudies.org/sites/default/files/2017/Jun/c3-framework-for-social-studies-rev0617.pdf)

**Brief Description:**  These days, we are burdened with the task of filtering out this “noise” so that we can get to the heart of matters and not be distracted by loud, preference-driven commentary. Use this lesson to promote critical thinking and introspection among your students.

**Know Before You Start:** This lesson provides a great way to engage students in discussions about current events. Terms to know: **credible**, **discern**, **bias**, **verify**.

**Hook:**

- Read and discuss the sample comic.
- Share a recent fake news story and ask students to share their views on why or why not the story should be trusted.

**Activity:**

- Have students create a brief comic demonstrating how their own feelings could improperly affect a news story meant to inform. 
    - Is it difficult or easy to recognize unconscious bias?
    - What is the difference between fact and opinion?
    - What is the danger of misleading your audience?

**Closure:**

- Have students share their comics with the whole class or in small groups.
- Have students explain what they will do the next time they see or hear a news story.

**Differentiation:**

- Provide students with a news story.
- Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
- Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.

**Resources:**

- Comic to print or display: [Comic](https://share.pixton.com/qucl3db).
- Article: [How to Spot Fake News (and Teach Kids to be Media-Savvy.)](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-spot-fake-news-and-teach-kids-to-be-media-savvy)
- Video: [How to Spot Fake News.](https://www.commonsense.org/education/asset/video/video-how-to-spot-fake-news)

**Suggested Content:**

- [![](https://img.pixton.com/content-pack/2078531377204125696/thumbnail.png) News Station ](https://content.pixton.com/news-station)

Assign Activity

## Related Ideas

[![](https://ideas.pixton.com/hubfs/integrity-001.png)](https://ideas.pixton.com/integrity)

### [Integrity](https://ideas.pixton.com/integrity)

Students will use comic scenarios to discuss whether or not the characters are showing integrity.

[![](https://ideas.pixton.com/hubfs/kara_nouns-001-2.png)](https://ideas.pixton.com/nouns)

### [Nouns](https://ideas.pixton.com/nouns)

Students will define and provide examples of nouns, identify various objects, and use appropriate nouns while writing to bring clarity to the audience.

[![](https://ideas.pixton.com/hubfs/dark_and_stormy-001.png)](https://ideas.pixton.com/dark-and-stormy)

### [Dark and Stormy](https://ideas.pixton.com/dark-and-stormy)

Get students familiarized with Pixton by asking them to imagine a spooky story about being alone in a house on a dark and stormy night.