Eleven years ago, Craig Kielburger was searching the newspaper for comics when he came across an article that changed his life.

This was a pivotal moment for Craig—one that led to the founding of Free The Children. It is also a reminder to us as educators that students need daily opportunities to learn about current social issues.

Students live in a media-driven world, receiving a rapid influx of information from the Internet, television and even cell phones. Given this reality, how do we give students the tools to be critical media consumers? Similarly, how can students discover that, like Craig did, they can be part of the solution to current social problems?

By learning about current events and analyzing media outlets, such as Internet news sites, youth can empower themselves to make a difference.

Combining social studies and language arts curricula sets the stage. Social studies are based on concepts like community, culture and the environment with directives to help students develop skills they can apply to real life situations. Media studies helps students understand and interpret messages they receive through various outlets and then use the media to communicate their own ideas. This curriculum connection supports our mandate as educators.

How do we pull these subjects together? One strategy is to update the tried and true current events discussion by putting the focus entirely on social issues. It can look like this:
 
Students will watch for social issues stories from multiple sources:

• Newspapers—at least two daily, one of which should be local
• Internet news reports—news bites from Internet server homepages like MSN
• Radio Stations—at least two
• Television news reports—if needed, students can set up VCRs to tape reports in the classroom

Have students analyze the reports from different angles:

• Compare how stories are presented, including amount of detail and use of interviews, statistics, video and photographs. How many sources are needed to get “the whole story”?
• Discuss preferences for news sources, such as accessibility, speed of access and depth of coverage. What do consumers get in return for their time?
• Compile questions left unanswered for follow-up research projects.

Now, let your students take the lead! They could start a class or school newspaper, design web pages or make documentary films. By sharing what they learn, students are already taking action as active global citizens and helping to solve social issues.

With passion,

Catherine McCauley, M.Ed.
Director of Teacher Development
educators@freethechildren.com