Focus Question: What is the effect of bias and exaggeration in news stories?
Step 1: Open your notes to section 4- Classwork, label it as "Exploring Bias"
Step 2: Grab one lap top, you and your elbow buddy will work in pairs. Step 3: Open Newspaper Story A. Work in pairs to identify any parts of the story they believe are exaggerated. Write these in your section 5 notebook |
Step 4: Wait for the entire class to open Newspaper Story B
Step 5: As a class, discuss responses and make sure that the exaggeration (bias) has been appropriately identified. |
INDEPENDENTLY
Step 6: Read Chocolate is Good For You A Answer in your notebook section 4 the following questions -Do you really thin chocolate is good for you? Why or Why not? -If you think chocolate is good for you, what evidence in the article did you find convincing? Discuss with teachers and class answers |
Step 7: As a class discuss Chocolate is Good For You B
Discuss the bias's |
Step 8:
A. Look through newspaper magazines and articles for you you think exaggeration or bias is. B. Look at reviews and editorials to find obvious examples of exaggeration and bias. **REMEMBER, often what an author does NOT say reveals clues to bias. C. Choose one articles you feel has an example of bias/exaggeration. Identify the example and explain why it was used. Share thoughts with a partner. |
Use the following websites for help:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/scholasticnews/index.html http://www.dogonews.com/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/default.stm. OR use articles listed below |
Extension- EXTRA CREDIT
If you feel confident in identifying bias, you may write your own exaggerated newspaper stories from events that are not really newsworthy. Some possible topics include the following:
If you want practice in exaggeration and bias, create a list of words you may use to exaggerate stories such as the following:
**ALL MATERIALS TAKEN FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: http://www.pdesas.org/ContentWeb/Content/Content/26589/Lesson%20Plan
If you feel confident in identifying bias, you may write your own exaggerated newspaper stories from events that are not really newsworthy. Some possible topics include the following:
- A bees’ nest is found on the playground.
- A student helps a younger child cross a busy street.
- A neighbor finds a missing dog in his backyard.
If you want practice in exaggeration and bias, create a list of words you may use to exaggerate stories such as the following:
- words that make something seem bigger than it really is
- words that make something seem more exciting than it really is
- words that make something seem more dangerous than it really is
- words that make something seem smaller than it really is
**ALL MATERIALS TAKEN FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: http://www.pdesas.org/ContentWeb/Content/Content/26589/Lesson%20Plan