If It Bleeds, It Leads

Classrooms should be places that are linked to the outside world. One of the many ways that you can make this happen is to program for current events. As a tool for literacy, social studies, science and even math, current events create a place to share news and explore student connections to them in a controlled and safe environment. As a place for learning, classrooms offer a forum that can follow the rules of discussion and debate and encourage students to compare points of view and even bias in the media.

With the real-time coverage of the quake and tsunami disaster in Japan unfolding in front of us, students will be watching these horrific events in a way that is reminiscent of the Twin Tower explosions during 9/11, 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami that decimated parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. What does this mean? Well, for starters it means that our children and students cannot be sheltered from the harsh realities of the world. If it is a major news event - whether war, natural disaster, plane crash or terrorist attacks - our youth will be watching and attempting to process it.

It used to be that these events were mere words on the page with a black and white photo in the newspaper. Hard to come across and even harder to imagine, disturbing news items were experienced by adults and kept within mature circles of conversation. Now that our students are actively pursuing information and media stories, it is the job of teachers to prepare them for what they are going to find.

We need to teach about global issues and the power of humanitarian efforts in minimizing loss of life and supporting the international community. We need to assure them of their safety, but be careful to educate them about the reason that these natural disasters occur and perhaps why they are growing in severity and magnitude. We need to expose the linkages between media, point of view, bias and news-making. Students have to understand why these stories are covered in the manner that they are; who covers them; who owns the networks that determine what is news-worthy; how this all impacts on the final video clip, tweet, headline or streamed video link that they view.

In short, we need to create a world for them that is safe from harm, but not ignorant of it. Give the tool of critical thinking when exploring current events. Their eyes are already open to them, but how they process what they see and feel is largely up to us as teachers.

Create the "Cool"

Last week something happened to me at home that reinforced things that teachers need to do. It all started when my son (who wasn't feeling well) wanted to wear his "NASCAR pyjamas." Great idea - but they have short sleeves in a sometimes drafty house. "You could wear your housecoat," Mom said. "No. I don't want to wear it," he protested. After some time sulking on the floor and finishing his fit, I got involved. Remembering that I have a housecoat (which I never wear), I put it on and starting 'selling' it. "Wow. This is SO warm and comfy! We're so lucky to get to wear housecoats at night-time. Hey, we both can wear housecoats and watch a show together before bed. That would be so cool!" I hope you sense the three-year-old tone in these comments. Being a parent causes you to build up a vast wealth of comments and tactics that work in times of crisis. After my sales pitch finished, he put on the housecoat and we went downstairs together. Fit forgotten, on with the show. It reminded me of that scene from "Billy Madison" when Sandler wets himself to protect the kid who had done it and then sells it to all the other kids as the thing they should do to be 'cool.' Luckily, I did not have to wet myself. But I did solve the problem and used a new method to do it.

We create the cool in our classrooms. Even intermediates want to fit in and belong when they sit in your chairs and rest on your desktops. If they can't be reached with your lesson - their friends maybe can. Use them as the social hook that will allow them to engage just long enough to see that they enjoy what you're doing. We can redefine 'the cool' in any situation if there is enough confidence and flare behind it. It is a sales pitch and they have all become accustomed to the techniques of advertising through countless media vehicles. They will recognize what you are attempting to do and either buy in or dismiss it. Just be prepared to move on with or without the disgruntled and wait to see if they tag along for the ride (even if solely to socialize with their friends).