Newscaster+Overview


 * Freshman Current Events Presentations**
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 * __Overview:__ ** Today’s news is tomorrow’s history. During the year as a class we will carefully analyze current events and examine how these stories relate to history and can help inform our future. The examination of current events are central to the freshman history curriculum. During the year there will be bi-weekly quizzes on current events. In addition, all students are required to make a major presentation as a “Newscaster” at least once during the course of the year. Most of the work preparing this presentation will be completed outside of class with the help of he teacher. It is expected that during the year you read the newspaper or watch news programs almost every day and are informed about new developments in major stories and breaking news.

You need to keep in mind that you are purposely looking for stories and resources that relate to the categories below. Select the 3-5 most important stories for the week and relate them to the rest of the class in a meaningful way. As stories develop during the year it is expected that you will build on the information the class has already learned.
 * __ Procedure __: ** Each week one student will be the “Newscaster” and lead the class discussion on an event or two from the previous week. This discussion will be accompanied by a presentation constructed in Google Drive. This presentation will count as a major grade and you will be assessed on (1) the content you master, (2) your presentation skills, (3) work habits.

The Google presentation should include 15-20 informative slides that include a title, image, and bullet items of no more than 20 words on each slide. Your presentation should include graphs, maps, short videos or other graphic content that will help teach your topics to the rest of the class. Each presentation must also include two editorial cartoons. While a script is not required, it is highly recommended that students produce a script to help them when standing in front of the the class.
 * __Required Elements:__ **

It is strongly recommended that students meet with the teacher 3-5 times before they present as “Newscaster” to allow for editing and extra help.

Students must meet with the teacher at the start of the project to select a news story or two to research. Students can elect to present one news story or multiple news stories.
 * __POSSIBLE NEWS CATEGORIES__ **

1) **International:** This includes noteworthy events and significant people involved in important activities abroad. (Examples: developments in the Israeli-Palestinian situation, genocide in the Sudan, the 2016 Summer Olympics being awarded to Rio.) Be sure to explain WHY the event is important by putting it in its historical context.

2) **Domestic:** This includes noteworthy events and significant people involved in important activities in America. Your domestic story can focus on people or events at the local, state, or national level. (Examples: the health care reform debate in Congress, the state referendum votes, the mortgage crisis*, rising fuel prices*) Be sure to explain WHY the event is important by putting it in its historical context. Include images, maps, and cartoons that evoke the essence of the issue.

3) **Economic**: This includes noteworthy events and significant people involved in various aspects of the American or global economy. (Examples: the mortgage crisis*, fuel prices*, trade disputes with China, the performance of the U.S. stock market. ) Be sure to explain WHY the event is important by putting it in its historical context. Include images, maps, and cartoons that evoke the essence of the issue.

4) **Scientific:** Students pursuing the Honors Challenge in Physical Science could report on a scientific story. For more information see this page.


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