Current Events Presentations

( duration: 4 minutes )
What to do...
Choose one current event article to present to the class
Choose a news item that is....
significant
academically focused
from a reliable internet or print source. See Mrs. Rudmans site for
a selection of pre-approved current events websites.
Do not choose a news item that is....
entertainment, advertisement, obituary, or other non-academic category
not-appropriate for middle school
Read your article carefully. Use the graphic organizer to gather important information
from your article.
Analyze the article ( take time to think about your feelings and reaction to it )
Prepare a short presentation for the class

Scoring Rubric
4
Student selects a
pertinent current
event and connect
this current event to
other standards
Student researches
a collection of
relevant information
to support their
current event and to
connect it to other
standards
Student connects
their current event
to social studies
issues in a
sophisticated way
Student presents all
pertinent information
about their current
event to their peers
in a creative manner

Student selects a
pertinent current
event

Student selects a
pertinent current
event

Student does not

select a pertinent
current event

Student researches
relevant information
to support their
current event

Student researches
some information to
support their current
event but that
research may be
lacking or off-topic

Student does not

research relevant
information to
support their current
event

Student connects
their current event
to social studies
issues
Student presents all
pertinent information
about their current
event to their peers
in a clear manner

Student incorrectly
connects their
current event to
social studies issues
Student presents
pertinent information
about their current
event to their peers
but may be missing
important pieces or
may present in an
unclear manner

Student does not

connect their current
event to social
studies issues
Student does not
presents all
pertinent information
about their current
event to their peers
or presentation may
be off topic

Current Events Presentations

Presentation Planning Sheet
Title:__________________________________________________________________
Date: _________________ Source: _______________________________________
News type (circle one):

Local

State

SS Connection ( circle one ): Geography

National

/ Economics

/
/

World
Civics

/ History

Reason(s) why you selected it?

______________________________________________________________________
How is it relevant to your audience or community?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Research background information to further understand your article. Use a minimum of
2 OTHER sources. Summarize your findings here.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5 Ws
Who: ________________________________________________________________
What: ________________________________________________________________
Where: _______________________________________________________________
Why: _________________________________________________________________
When: _______________________________________________________________

Current Events Presentations

Why is this event significant?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What are your reactions to this event? Circle your choices.
I

partially agree / totally agree / agree / disagree with the major points.

Do you think the author of this article fairly presented both sides of the issue at hand. Is
this article biased in any way? ( Explain why or why not )
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What questions did your article leave you with?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Visual Aids: Optional