Social+Studies+Focus


 * Links:**
 * Social Studies for Kids
 * Ben's Guides
 * National Geographic
 * National Council


 * Current Events - 8th Grade History class**
 * **Objective**: Students will gain a more meaningful and broader spectrum of current events and how they effect all of us**.**


 * **Materials needed**: Power Point showing how and why to blog, computer(s), accounts on Google Map, access to online newspapers or magazines for current events.
 * **Web sites**: Current Event Lesson; Google Maps; Blogging with Students


 * **Summary/overview:** Instead of playing a game every week for current events, the 8th grade is going to try this activity. Once every student is shown how to use Google Maps, they will be required to find one current event for the week. On Google Map, they will mark where the event took place, write a short (140 characters or less) summary of the event, and provide a link to the current event article. This will need to be done as home work from through-out the week. On Friday, the class will then visit the lab and make a comment on another person's entry. And then that student will respond back, starting a dialogue. During the last ten minutes, there will be a class discussion about events and connections.


 * **21st Century Skills Addressed**: Global Awareness, Civic Literacy, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication and Collaboration, Information Literacy, Media Literacy, ICT Literacy, Initiative and Self-Direction, Productivity and Accountability, Social and Cross-Cultural Skills.