Resources on Newsworthy Topics
Last night, I was preparing to go to bed when the news came on that Osama Bin Laden, the number one terrorist on the United States Terrorist Wanted list, was killed. The Navy Seals acted on intelligence and brought down the master mind of the 9/11 attacks, and other terrors around the world.
My children are too young to remember the 9/11 attacks, and what they mean to America. They don’t know who this Bin Laden man is, well was, to Americans. I’m sure I’m not alone. This morning we watched the news on local channels and the Today Show as those who lost loved ones in 9/11 spoke, officials shared their comments, and the news on the misson of success was shared for all viewers. My son wanted to know what were his crimes, and why did America have a special interest in finding him.
There are many articles on the web right now that I can pull up to help me explain who he was, however, many are laced with a comment section that is completely inappropriate for the students. I did a quick search in netTrekker and found 68 resources, including Weekly Reader Express resources for those who have that upgrade, and a BrainPOP video on the topic of September 11th with reference to this Taliban leader.
netTrekker’s content editors work hard to find quality websites from trusted sources. This is important to me because many of the websites have comments on there filled with hatred of another culture, and I do not want to share this hatred with my children. If you are trying to find a way to discuss with your students or your own children, without causing extra fear or hate, I encourage you to check out the resources found in netTrekker. I have saved a few to share with my kids when they come home, and shared the folder of resources to his teacher in case she needs them for her own classroom discussion today.
BrainPOP: César Chávez
Stop–don’t cross that picket line! In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to the life and work of the great Mexican-American labor leader César Chávez. You’ll learn about the difficult lives of migrant workers, as well as how Chávez’s childhood experiences shaped his politics. You’ll discover what labor unions are and why Chávez joined one. Plus, you’ll learn why millions of Americans boycotted grapes for five years, and how Chávez used non-violent means to change the lives of thousands of American and immigrant farm workers. Finally, you’ll find out how Chávez’s legacy continues today.
Cesar Chavez
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/cesarchavez/