Use Current Events To Enhance Your Child’s Research Skills

When it comes to watching the news,  does everyone in your family stay up to date on current events?  My husband has always been one to watch the news.  I, on the other hand, didn’t used to pay much attention to the news and figured it if it were important that my husband would tell me about it.  My feelings on watching the news have changed since my son hit middle school.  He came home from school on day with a social studies current events assignment that “woke me up.”  I used to teach fifth grade and think this social studies assignment is great!  I wish that I had come up with it while I was still in the classroom.   My son is required to do this activity every other week for school, which keeps us both up to date and always on the lookout for current events in the news.  Try this activity from my mom blog at least once with your child.  This is a great way to spend quality time together and learn something new at the same time!

Materials Needed

Internet connection or  newspaper

Computer / Printer

Map Printout – A printout of the US Map can be found at http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/usa/regional/usa.html.

Pencil/Paper

Activity Instructions (US Version)

1.  Search online for current events that have happened in the United States.

2.  Print out the article that  your child chooses to read about. ( There are so many bad things  in the news, that I try to find kid-friendly current events since he will be reporting his findings back to his class.)

3.  Read over the article and answer the provided questions (See Below.)

4.  The object of this assignment is for your child to use the US Map to mark off, or color in each state that is involved in each of the selected current event articles.  At the end of the school year, he should have found a current event from each of the states and his map should be completely colored in.

Article Questions

Article Date___________ Title of Article_________________________________________________

Source (name of newspaper or website)___________________________________________________

City_____________________________ State___________________________________

1.  Who (Who is involved?)

2.  When (When did/does it take place?)

3.  Where (Where does it take place?}

4.  What (What is happening?)

5.  Why (Why is it happening?)

6. How does it impact the United States?

Additional Assignment Information

In the beginning, your child will need help locating a current event. Before long, your child will have his favorite news site and will be able to locate a current event article in no time.  This activity not only informs your child about current events, but also helps them with their researching skills.

Depending on the age of your child, here is a fun online news site http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/print/kidspost/index.html.

Have fun with this activity, let me know what you think and be sure to pass this idea on.  The skills learned in this activity will benefit your child for years to come.  If you would like to learn how to make a fun, interactive study guide for your child check out a past post from my mom blog.