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:
Brief Description: “Fake news” is a term meant to indicate when a news source is misrepresented or not factual. This is often the result of bias in reporting, whether conscious or not. These days, we are each 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.
Resources:
- Comic to print or display: Comic.
- Article: How to Spot Fake News (and Teach Kids to be Media-Savvy.)
- Video: How to Spot Fake News.
Suggested Content Packs:
News Station
