Points of view in the news
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g68/pointsnews.html
A lesson plan for Grades 7–8 English Language Arts
This Xpeditions lesson will help students sort through the myriad points of view offered on the Internet and evaluate the sources and purposes of news articles and websites. Students will read articles from National Geographic News and answer questions describing each article's source, purpose, and viewpoint. Students will then research the topics presented in an article of their choice and evaluate the resources they find. They will conclude by creating checklists they can use in the future to evaluate articles, websites, and other information.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 7
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
- Objective 1.04: Reflect on learning experiences by:
- analyzing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
- examining changes in self throughout the learning process.
- determining how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with text.
- Objective 1.04: Reflect on learning experiences by:
- Goal 2: The learner will synthesize and use information from a variety of sources.
- Objective 2.01: Respond to informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- analyzing the characteristics of informational works.
- summarizing information.
- determining the importance of information.
- making connections to related topics/information.
- drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
- generating questions.
- Objective 2.01: Respond to informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
- Goal 3: The learner will refine the understanding and use of argument.
- Objective 3.01: Analyze a variety of public documents that establish a position or point of view by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and /or viewed.
- identifying the arguments and positions stated or implied and the evidence used to support them.
- recognizing bias, emotional factors, and/or semantic slanting.
- examining the effectiveness of style, tone, and use of language.
- summarizing the author's purpose and stance.
- examining the importance and impact of establishing a position or point-of-view.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- drawing inferences.
- responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials, reviews, local/state/national policies/issues).
- Objective 3.01: Analyze a variety of public documents that establish a position or point of view by:
- Goal 4: The learner will refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.
- Objective 4.02: Develop (with assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
- using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
- drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
- considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
- Objective 4.03: Develop the stance of a critic by:
- considering and presenting alternative points of view or reasons.
- remaining fair-minded and open to other interpretations.
- creating a critical response/review of a work/topic.
- Objective 4.02: Develop (with assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
- Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading program by:
- using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
- reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
- reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
- assuming an active role in teacher-student conferences.
- engaging in small group discussions.
- taking an active role in whole class seminars.
- analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figuarative language, dialogue, flashback, allusion, and irony.
- analyzing the effects of such elements as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood, and style.
- analyzing themes and central ideas in literature and other texts in relation to personal issues/experiences.
- extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences and within various contexts.
- analyzing the connections of relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts, and/or experiences.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading program by:
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
- Objective 1.03: Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student:
- shares personal reactions to questions raised.
- gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.
- clarifies, illustrates, or expands on a response when asked to do so, and asks classmates for similar expansion.
- Objective 1.03: Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student:
- Goal 2: The learner will use and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
- Objective 2.01: Analyze and evaluate informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- recognizing the characteristics of informational materials.
- summarizing information.
- determining the importance of information.
- making connections to related topics/information.
- drawing inferences.
- generating questions.
- extending ideas.
- Objective 2.01: Analyze and evaluate informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
- Goal 3: The learner will continue to refine the understanding and use of argument.
- Objective 3.01: Explore and evaluate argumentative works that are read, heard and/or viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- analyzing the work by identifying the arguments and positions stated or implied and the evidence used to support them.
- identifying the social context of the argument.
- recognizing the effects of bias, emotional factors, and/or semantic slanting.
- comparing the argument and counter-argument presented.
- identifying/evaluating the effectiveness of tone, style, and use of language.
- evaluating the author's purpose and stance
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials, reviews, local, state, and national policies/issues including those with a historical context).
- Objective 3.01: Explore and evaluate argumentative works that are read, heard and/or viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- evaluating any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, and/or propaganda techniques.
- evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- evaluate the effects of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.02: Analyze and develop (with limited assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
- using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
- drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
- considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
- Objective 4.03: Use the stance of a critic to:
- consider alternative points of view or reasons.
- remain fair-minded and open to other interpretations.
- construct a critical response/review of a work/topic.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:



