Overview
In this LE, learners will think critically about a news article, mocking it up with age-appropriate responses (I agree, I don’t think so, Important! Wow—interesting! This makes think of…, I wonder…, Confusing?!?!). This activity is designed to strengthen critical thinking skills and provide an opportunity to apply some of the knowledge cultivated through engaging with Foundations content. Learners will work with real, age appropriate news articles.
Learners will...
- Engage public media information about Mi’kmaw life and experience.
- See themselves as a critical thinkers rather than just passive consumers of information.
- Apply their knowledge of Mi’kmaw history and culture to publicly available information.
- Gain greater awareness and insight into their own interactions with public information.
- See that how they engage with information changes how and what they comprehend about that information.
- Experience “news” that has its own biases and misconceptions.
Focus
Five age-appropriate news articles, varying in accuracy and levels of bias, have been selected for this Learning Experience that address the following topics: Cornwallis commemorations, environmental conditions at Boat Harbour, and the Mi’kmaw Language Act.
Working in groups, learners will read the article aloud, and then use the Response Key to mock it up, either individually or in groups. Educators are also encouraged to choose their own news articles to support this activity. Some other themes they might want to explore include: First Nations health outcomes, Treaty Day celebrations, and Mi’kmaw fisheries.
A follow-up discussion can connect learner responses with their comprehension of the information from their article. Questions to support the discussion might include:
- From where did the article author get their information?
- Is there an expert used in this article? If so, are they the right expert for this subject? Why or why not?
- Did you find bias, misconceptions or incorrect information in the article? How did this change your understanding of the article?
- What can others take away from this text?
- How much do you know about this subject? What would you like to know that might change how you think about this subject?
- Is the author missing anything, or did they not consider something? What?
PE!
It is important that learners have a clear understanding of the following content:
- The Mi’kmaq as the indigenous people of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region.
- Mi’kma’kik as the ancestral homeland of the Mi’kmaq.
- Concepts like misconceptions, bias,and opinion. (See Misconceptions introduction and LE F14)
Teacher Tip
We’re asking learners to respond to these articles, not to correct them. They are not expected to have prior knowledge of the issues or events discussed in the news articles.
LE Materials
The materials below support this LE’s activities and knowledge growth. They are designed to be printed on both 8.5″x” and 11″x17″ paper.
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