Current+Events+Project

= 8TH GRADE CURRENT EVENTS SEMESTER PROJECT = PURPOSES: 1. To allow a student to stay current with an important topic for our nation and/or world. 2. To allow a student to become an "expert" on a particular topic as they monitor that topic during an entire semester. 3. To provide students with the guidance and resources necessary to produce an effective oral presentation on their topic. 4. To teach students how to write short reports where they summarize information as well as critically analyze that information. PROCEDURE: 1. Each student will be assigned a current events topic that has widespread significance for our country and possibly the world. 2. Every six weeks (three times a semester) a current events report will be due. Using a rotation among the students in the classroom, one report for each student will be an oral presentation, while the other two reports will be written reports. 3. Requirements for written reports v One page typed minimum, double-spaced, 12 or 14 pt. font with an easy-to-read font style v The paper will cover the latest developments in the chosen topic. v Approximately 2/3 of the paper should be the summary of these latest developments in the student's own words. One-third of the paper should be the student's reaction to the summary or their opinion of that same summary. This should involve some original and critical thinking. 4. Requirements for oral reports: v Target time -- three minutes v Students should speak to the ENTIRE class, not to the podium v Only one notecard may be used to help with the presentation. v 2/3 of the presentation should be a summary of current developments in the topic. 1/3 of the presentation should be the student's reaction to the new developments, involving critical thinking and the forming of opinions. RESEARCH HINT: One of the best places for students to find current news about their chosen topic is Google News (http://news.google.com). Students can search numerous recent articles about their topic, or they can have news alerts sent to their email when a new article about their topic appears.