Hello everybody!
This is a course practice blog in which we'll discuss how to relate current news to our content areas.
My excitement about the oncoming SpaceX launch on Sunday, with its third attempt on landing the rocket's first stage, has made me think on the great resource the news is to make our lectures relevant and exciting. It also teaches students the importance of reading the news and keeping up to date with what is going on in the world. Read more about SpaceX's launch on Sunday here.
Here's a video of their second attempt earlier this year:
This launch would be an opportunity to get students excited about science and teach them the amazing correlation between rocket trajectories and cone sections.
I agree,keeping students aware of current events will be beneficial to the growing process. Being that we are future STEM teachers,we could use this as part of instruction. This activity would be such a great First Day of School Activity to get them interested in learning science or even engineering. You could gear the lesson toward the process of creating the rocket.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! It would be a great first day activity!
DeleteRockets are so exciting and they offer so much to talk about. All types of science, technology, engineering, and math going on! We could probably teach most of the curriculum relating it to rockets and other space subjects.
Great idea! I remember having to do current events in 8th grade social studies. We had to go to a newspaper and clip out things that were interesting to us, summarize and present our findings. Then, I did not see as much value in it but now I totally do! It is not exactly what you are saying here but it reminded me of your idea.
ReplyDeleteUsing current events to piques students interest and introduce other topics is very beneficial to students. Great idea!
I completely agree, Ashley!
DeleteKeeping up with the news is something we aught to teach our students. Not only that, but to be critical of what we read is also important. To think about why it is being talked about, who is talking about it and what could be their motivations, is there biases involved, etc. It is a great way to make our subjects relevant and teach critical thinking at the same time.
Bad news everyone, the rocket blew up a few minutes after launch. Would not have been the best day to show it live to students. Nobody on board by the way.
ReplyDeleteI saw that today, and thought of your blog! Your plan worked! I would have never known about it but I was interested to learn about it and why it failed since I had heard about it here. I think your students would have been also.
DeleteOh wow! How terrible. But like Ashley said, we would not have necessarily know about it without your blog!
DeleteI also believe watching the news and being informed about what is going on in the world is incredibly important. Many students are not interested in the news because it may seem boring or dull but it would be great to get them involved early on and teach them the importance of being informed. In 6th grade, I had a teacher named Mrs. Heart who would discuss current events as our opening to the class. I always loved this because she let the class contribute and we got to discuss what we thought about the news topics. This is such a great way to get students involved and thinking right when they walk in your door.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is very important to stay informed and learn about what's going on. It seems like if you do not, you'll be a victim of your circumstances, not knowing why things happen. Having a general idea of the direction the world is going gives us the opportunity to prepare ourselves to predictable situations.
Delete