Current Events Presentation

Honors Level

Current events are an important part of this course. Government comes alive when we talk about how it affects your life. Right now there are hundreds of issues that are being talked about in the media, in Harrisburg, in Washington DC and around the world that impact the kind of schools we have, the kind of job you may get, and the kind of life you may have. We are going to talk about these issues throughout the school year.

The kind of issues we may discuss include:

Immigration reform

Drug policy

Taxes

Defense policy

Events in other parts of the world

Student Loans

Racial tensions

Terrorism

ISIS

Women’s rights

Gun issues

???

What do you have to do?

Five students will be assigned a current events presentation. Students will be assigned alphabetically. You will be given approximately 5 days to find an article that relates to government/politics and prepare it for the class. It is your responsibility to speak to the other four presenters to make sure you each have different topics, or the same topic from a different perspective.

The student presenting will do a five-minute presentation on a current events article that he or she has selected.

  1. You will briefly summarize the most important points in the article.
  2. You will give your thoughts on the article.
  3. You will ask ONE question to the class that will precipitate discussion.
  4. You will lead the discussion by calling on students.
  5. You will hand in your article attached to the presentation sheet..

How will you be graded?

You will be graded using the attached rubric.

What should the rest of the class do?

You should participate in the discussion. (this is part of your class participation grade)

Student Name: ______

Current Events Presentation Sheet

Honors Level

Source: ______(NY Times/Washington Post/Wall Street Journal or another reputable source)

Title of Article: ______

Brief Summary of Article:

______

Brief Reflection/Opinion on Article:

______

Question for the Class:

______

Student Name: ______

Current Events Rubric

Honors Level

Points Possible / Actual Points
Interesting article that relates to government in some way / Compelling article that relates to US government / 5
Reputable Source / Source is reputable for its accuracy and impartiality / 5
Summary of article / Clear, concise summary of the article / 10
Reflection / Substantive, thoughtful reflection / 10
Question/Class participation / Open-ended question that provides an opportunity for student input and discussion / 10
Copy of the article / Stapled to the presentation sheet / 10
Total / 50

Late Penalty Applies

Comments:

______

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