Time Frame:
1 class period that runs 30 minutes.

Group Size:
Small Groups

Summary:
The current world today is wrought with issues that affect our students daily. This lesson is designed to introduce some of these issues.

Enduring Understanding:
Students will understand what some current issues are and how their lives are affected by these issues.

Essential Questions:
What are the pressing issues facing the world today?

Main Curriculum Tie:
Social Studies - 6th Grade
Standard 4 Objective 3
Determine human rights and responsibilities in the world.

Materials:

• Poster Paper
  
• Markers
  
• Prepared Packets may include the following:
  • Current Newspaper
  • Current Magazines
    
• A Collection of Picture Books Discussing these issues. Suggested Books to use:
  • A Train Somewhere, by Eve Bunting,(poverty)
  • Fly Away from Home, by Eve Bunting(homeless)
    
  • The Wall, Eve Bunting(political turmoil)
    
  • A Day's Work, Eve Bunting (poverty, hunger, child labor)
    
  • Terrible Things, Eve Bunting(genocide, political turmoil)
  • Smoky Night, Eve Bunting(poverty, race)
    
  • One Green Apple, Eve Bunting (political turmoil)
    

Web Sites

• Pioneer Library
  Use this to link to the current Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune and archives. This is a good alternative the buying a newspaper.
• National Geographic Archives
  Another good source of articles.

Background For Teachers:
Teachers will need to have a basic understanding of the current issues and be able to help students understand these issues on a personal level.

Student Prior Knowledge:

Students will first need to understand the difference between a problem and an issue. Examples of issues are environmental, pollution, hunger etc. Examples of problems would be a car using oil vs. natural gas.

Possible Vocabulary:

• hunger
• environmental
  
• pollution
  
• political turmoil
  
• poverty
  
• genocide
  
• famine
  
• natural disasters
  
• child labor
  

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Students will investigate some of the pressing issues facing the world today.

Instructional Procedures:

Before class:
Prepare 5-6 packets containing information on the following issues using current newspapers, magazines and picture books (possible suggestions are found in materials list)

Possible topics to introduce:

• environmental
  
• pollution
  
• political turmoil
  
• hunger
  
• poverty
  
• genocide
  
• famine
  
• natural disasters
  
• child labor

Pre-assessment:
Give students 2 minutes to brainstorm as many global issues that they can think of. As a class, generate a list of current issues. This is where you can clarify the difference between a problem and an issue and also see where student knowledge lies.

1. Divide students into groups of 4-5 students each.
2. Pass out Current Issues Worksheet
3. Assign each group an issue to learn about using the attached worksheet to guide them.
4. Have each group create a poster talking about their issue. (As a teacher you can decide if you want the poster to be a fast reproduction or a project that students take their time on.)
5. After finishing posters, have students present them to the class or in small groups.
6. Have students then write down how these issues can affect their lives.
   

Attachments

• Current_Issues_Worksheet.doc
  
• Global_Issues_Vocabulary.doc
  

Extensions:
As a class decide an issue that your class can focus on and create a service learning project that your class can complete together.

Assessment Plan:

• Posters
• Writing Assignment

Author:
Emily Olaya
Chanell Price

Created Date :
Jun 26 2009 09:29 AM