Lessons on Critical Thinking & "Fake News"

Hello colleagues, There is much discussion these days about fake information in the media.We have explored this issue and shared numerous helpful resources in the College and Career Standards community.

Some people say we shouldn't use the term "fake news" because so-called "fake news" is not news! Point well taken!

One of my favorite go-to websites is high school ESL teacher Larry Ferlazzo's. He recently posted some useful resources on supporting English learners to analyze information to determine whether it is real or fake. One activity involves students creating their own fake stories. Through such a project, students learn how writers can communicate information through subtly. On his blog, Ferlazzo features an International Federation of Library Association's infographic outlining steps on how to spot fake news, which I am uploading below.

Are you familiar with the ice breaker Two Truths and a Lie? I can imagine a classroom activity where you give students three news items to read-- two real and one fake. The students have to determine which of the three is the false story.

Have you approached this topic in your ESL classroom? Do you have ideas for how to do so? You are invited to share your practices as well as any questions you might have with your colleagues here!

Cheers, Susan Finn Miller

Moderator, AELL CoP

 

 

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