Students need to feel that they are part of a bigger world, that their life is beyond the exams and schedules in the classroom. They need to know that they are part of a society, that their thoughts are relevant and people will listen to what they have to say. In order for our students to participate in the great big world beyond their iPSLE and Cambridge Exams, they need to know what is happening. They need to be informed of what's going on beyond concerts, celebrities and fashion. They need to know the world beyond education and beyond entertainment. They need to read the news - relevant, current information about events that are currently shaping the world they will eventually participate in as decision-makers. |
Their teachers need to make a conscious effort to encourage them to read - not just fiction but current events as well. I am glad to work with people who know that students need to burst out of their classrooms and reach out to link to what is out there.
To help with choosing news articles to share with our students, here is a list of links to news websites specifically designed for students:
1. Tween Tribune
http://tweentribune.com/
The daily news sites for kids, tweens and teens – where you'll find the most compelling, relevant and interesting news for 55 million kids in K-12 and their 3.5 million teachers.
Stories are selected by professional journalists working closely with teens, tweens and teachers. Teens and tweens can post comments, with all comments moderated by their teachers before they are published
We allow teens and tweens to produce 99 percent of our content as a means of engaging them.
What's great about this website? It has categorised the articles according to grades/levels.
2. Time for Kids
http://www.timeforkids.com/news
TIME For Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine that motivates kids to read! Issues cover a wide range of real-world topics kids love to learn about - and it's the best nonfiction text you'll find! Our Digital Editions are the perfect supplement to your TIME For Kids print subscription, and they deliver a host of exciting features to help bring TIME For Kids to life.
An app for iPads is available for free but you must pay an annual subscription fee.
3. Teaching Kids News
http://teachingkidsnews.com
What is the point of this website?
Not only “teach kids the news,” but have them understand it, think critically about what they’re hearing, and then apply their knowledge to the real world. And then, maybe, go out and make a difference.
This website was established by a mother and a third-grade teacher. Oh the power of collaboration!
To help with choosing news articles to share with our students, here is a list of links to news websites specifically designed for students:
1. Tween Tribune
http://tweentribune.com/
The daily news sites for kids, tweens and teens – where you'll find the most compelling, relevant and interesting news for 55 million kids in K-12 and their 3.5 million teachers.
Stories are selected by professional journalists working closely with teens, tweens and teachers. Teens and tweens can post comments, with all comments moderated by their teachers before they are published
We allow teens and tweens to produce 99 percent of our content as a means of engaging them.
What's great about this website? It has categorised the articles according to grades/levels.
2. Time for Kids
http://www.timeforkids.com/news
TIME For Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine that motivates kids to read! Issues cover a wide range of real-world topics kids love to learn about - and it's the best nonfiction text you'll find! Our Digital Editions are the perfect supplement to your TIME For Kids print subscription, and they deliver a host of exciting features to help bring TIME For Kids to life.
An app for iPads is available for free but you must pay an annual subscription fee.
3. Teaching Kids News
http://teachingkidsnews.com
What is the point of this website?
Not only “teach kids the news,” but have them understand it, think critically about what they’re hearing, and then apply their knowledge to the real world. And then, maybe, go out and make a difference.
This website was established by a mother and a third-grade teacher. Oh the power of collaboration!
4. Here There Everywhere: News for Kids
http://htekidsnews.com
Here There Everywhere is a news website/blog designed for elementary and older school-aged children. Its purpose is to show kids how they are connected to their world and introduce them to the people and events shaping it. It credits children with being interested in and being able to understand some of the more newsy topics (though there will be lots of the fun stuff, too!).
HTE can be read with a caregiver or without.
5. CNN Student News
http://edition.cnn.com/studentnews/
CNN Student News is a ten-minute, commercial-free, daily news program designed for middle and high school classes. It is produced by the journalists and educators at CNN. This award-winning show and its companion website are available free of charge throughout the school year.
What's different with this one? The news is presented and not in written format.
Note for educators:
All have teacher support programs available. We are not alone in this fight to create future citizens who know the world they are going to lead.
http://htekidsnews.com
Here There Everywhere is a news website/blog designed for elementary and older school-aged children. Its purpose is to show kids how they are connected to their world and introduce them to the people and events shaping it. It credits children with being interested in and being able to understand some of the more newsy topics (though there will be lots of the fun stuff, too!).
HTE can be read with a caregiver or without.
5. CNN Student News
http://edition.cnn.com/studentnews/
CNN Student News is a ten-minute, commercial-free, daily news program designed for middle and high school classes. It is produced by the journalists and educators at CNN. This award-winning show and its companion website are available free of charge throughout the school year.
What's different with this one? The news is presented and not in written format.
Note for educators:
All have teacher support programs available. We are not alone in this fight to create future citizens who know the world they are going to lead.