Tackling Current Topics in the Classroom

There is no shortage of current events in our daily media feeds. Many of us spend time each day "doom-scrolling" - that is reading and viewing the news of the day which is generally not positive. Everything from mass shootings to wars in Gaza and the Ukraine to inflation and poverty. 

Our students are also viewing these current events, often on TikTok or other social media platforms. While their focus may be more on reality shows and the lives of celebrities, they will still be exposed to the sensational videos of war and mass shootings. 

How are our students processing these heavy topics? Are they discussing within their families and communities to help them process this heavy and difficult information? How do we endeavour to help this process in the classroom?

1. Start with ground rules for discussion. Each student who wishes to speak, is allowed to voice their understanding and concerns surrounding the topic without interruption.
2. Direct the discussion by helping students to recognize that there may be opposing views based on our experiences and knowledge and that this is ok.
3. Review the concept of media manipulation: why media is manipulated, techniques used by the authors, and most importantly, how we research the information to fact-check and to better understand the complexities of the topic.
4. Empower students by letting them create and reflect on what they have learned? How can they participate online in a positive and responsible way?

Suggestions: digital journal, poem reflection, newspaper report, fact-check report, blog post, etc.

Our students need opportunities to express the heaviness and fear they are struggling with and the classroom is often the safe space they need to do that!