Skip to Main Content

American Studies- Current Events Project: Home

American Studies Current Events Project

Each quarter, you will sign up for a different U.S.-related topic: art & culture, foreign policy, economics, national politics, state/local politics, and social activism. Once a month, you will select a source (article, podcast, news video, etc.) and then share what you have learned in a series of Google slides that you will then present to a small-group. Due dates are subject to change, but plan to complete this assignment (roughly) once per month. Each time you complete a new current events assignment, add more slides to your Google presentation. By the end of the year, you will have a full portfolio of events “making history.”

Lateral Reading

*************************************************

Read More: Expand Your View With Lateral Reading  -

This is a short intro to the concept with a few questions to ask as you are reading. 

Format:

  • Slide 1: Source citation- MLA format and description of what type of source

  • Slide 2: Thesis- 1-2 sentences summarize the source’s main argument or question.

  • Slides 3-4: Media, Summary, & Connections

    • Summarize the article and include images, and other media to bring it “to life”

    • Draw connections to “big ideas” we’ve been learning about in U.S. history: nationalism, individualism, security, identity, federalism/power of the central gov., states’ rights, civic responsibility, immigration, etc.

  • HONORS extension: include a link to another perspective and news source, and explain the differences between the two articles/videos.

  • Final Slide: Notes & Reflections

Activator to start class

What is your bias?

Database Resources- you'll need passwords when using at home

Find current magazine and newspaper articles using these resources. Make sure to filter to show articles from the last 3 weeks- month. 

DATABASE PASSWORDS are available here

 

New York Times. The New York Times - Use this link if you are at school for free access to the paper. 

Read emagazines

Sora

 

Sora

 

  • Select 'magazines'
  • Search for:
    • The Week
    • The New Yorker
    • News Week
    • National Geographic
    • Wired
    • Popular Science
  • Borrow and read

Website- News Sources (some have paywalls)

  

Follow-Up Activity - Current Events

Try one of these 3 options as a follow-up activity. 

Newton North High School Library

457 Walnut Street
Newton, MA 02460
call: (617) 559-6290