David C. Kunz
Multiple Perspective Learning Activity
Secondary Education

World View News Page

Results:
Students will:
1. Discover through a “World View News Article” the perspective a different country has about a specific current news event.
2. Practice searching for information on the internet.
3. Work cooperatively to assemble a “World View News Page.”
4. Reflect on how the perspective of an event can change from place to place around the world by writing a two page essay.

Evaluation/Assessment:
1. Students’ individual news articles will be evaluated through the following criteria:
* News article pertains to the selected current event.
* News article reflects perspective from selected country.
2. Students’ reflection on perspective:
* Two page essay that is well written and demonstrates thoughtful reflection.
* Essay includes comparisons among at least two other perspectives  demonstrated by fellow students with same current event plus their assigned perspective and own personal perspective of current event.

Curriculum:
This assignment fits well with a global studies class in which students are responsible for investigating in depth another country.  This lesson could be part of a larger project in which students construct a whole “newspaper” reflecting the perspective and culture of another country.  Applicable NCSS Standards include Strand III - People, Places, and Environments and Strand IX - Global Connections.  Students also gain experience using the internet and working cooperatively in small groups.

Instruction:
1. As a class, students brainstorm to generate enough current world events so that groups of 4-5 students can be formed.
-What are “hot” topics that cross national boundaries?
2. Assign students a country (this could already be done as part of a year long social studies point of focus).
3. Group students/countries according to current events, ensuring diverse views.
-What countries might have an interest in a particular event?
4. Individually, students will use the internet to search for articles pertaining to their current event that will present the point of view of their assigned country.
-Where would one look to find this information?
5. As a group, students will assemble their articles on a 3’x3’ piece of folded newsprint/roll paper to resemble the world section of a major newspaper (some cutting and pasting required here).
6. As a group, students will discuss the various viewpoints of their current world event presented on their “World View News Page.”
-What is common among the articles?  What is different?
-What can we say about the countries whose views are the same?  Those that differ? (think social, economic, political, cultural)
7. Students will write a two page essay reflecting on the differing perspectives, including their own personal view.
8. As a group, student will share with the entire class what they have learned about the current world event and the various perspectives.
-What factors influence perspective?  Are there any common threads?
 
 
 

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