Choose an editorial and underline each fact and circle each opinion. Discuss the logic of the ideas and the organization and developments of the arguments.

Download the complete 2009-2010 calendar of activities by clicking here.

NIE is pleased to present a new website filled with curriculum on all subjects. Take a moment to review this fantastic free resource at http://www.nieteacher.org/uniontribnie/.

A Lesson on Social Implications

Use the feature "Now Read This" found on Page 2 of the Main Section

Students read the article aloud and discuss the social implications of the day’s topic. Using some of the factors discussed, students write a Letter to the Editor that includes at least two facts from the article.

For example, on October 28, 2009 the section featured an article titled "UK cemetery: Share a grave with a stranger?" which discussed the doubling-up of graves in London (very old graves are being opened, dug down further, older coffins reburied with newer coffins then placed above them at "regular" depth). The topic was revisited two days later with each student being given a factor that prompted a Letter to the Editor: I want my family to be buried nearby and all cemeteries are full, doubling-up violates the actions descendants took centuries ago to respect dead family members, I don't have transportation to visit family members' graves in "new" cemeteries that are far from my home, etc.) Students had to write a letter from the perspective of their situation and also note at least two facts from the article related to this situation.

Have a lesson you would like to share? Email nie@uniontrib.com if your lesson is featured on the website you will receive a gift.

Sunday

Arts, Currents Passages, Dialog and Home

Monday

Currents Quest (science)

Tuesday

Currents Health

Wednesday

Currents Food

Thursday

Night and Day (a preview of events for the upcoming week)

Friday

Currents Weekend

Saturday

Smart Living and Wheels

Using Newspapers in the Classroom

Ms. Gommel's class

Thanks to teacher Chris Gommel of Stein Education Center for sharing how his classroom uses the newspaper. Ms. Gommel writes: Our students have developmental disabilities. Our high school aged students (DSC00306) are learning to use the U-T to find out about current events, weather, sports, and job opportunities. Our older students (NIE 004) who are preparing for adult life after graduation at 22 use the paper to understand events which are happening in the world around them and to learn how to locate information: apartment/job search, weather, recreational activities, etc. The U-T also provides a leisure activity such as reviewing the sports section and doing the crossword puzzle. Most instruction at our school is done individually or in very small groups.

Mr. Kane's second period class

Additional thanks to Viridiana Hernandez of Mr. Kane at Mission Bay High School for letting us know how her class uses NIE: I want to tell that I have enjoyed reading the newspaper everyday in my class. It has truly opened my eyes on many of the events that are happening now in our community and our country. My favorite part of the newspaper has to be the local section, so many interesting things happening here in San Diego. The laughs and conversations about the newspaper have been really fun to discuss during my 2nd period, government class and hope my other peers could share this same experience as well.

We appreciate Lee Houk, another student of Mr. Kane’s, writing: I write to you today to give my personal appreciation for the newspaper in my government class. I believe that our school is in need of more resources, like this one, that can make students more aware of what is happening in their community and world. Personally, I have learned more from reading the newspaper every day than I have ever learned in my normal classes. I would appreciate it if you would help us continue learning the necessities of the real world and help prepare us for the future.

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