NIE Home | Sponsors | E FAQs | Order Form | Contact Us |
Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support. FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 09, 2009 Obama era reopens questions about value of Black History MonthLook for a Black History Month news report, commentary, photo or events list. Is it identified with a graphic logo or special presentation?
Journalists strive for "mainstreaming," which involves quoting and picturing diverse community members in coverage unrelated to their ethnicity, race or gender. Find an example, such as an African American student, educator, parent or business person featured in coverage not about Black History Month.
Readers may share opinions about Black History Month in letters to the editor, blogs and online comment forums. See if you spot a discussion. Talk about your views and consider sending a message to the paper.
During a month when schools, colleges, advertisers and news media give extra attention to African American history, a nagging question is heard more widely: Do we still need a Black History Month? Those who say "no" point out that slavery ended 146 years ago, the Civil Rights Act passed 45 years ago and a black president was inaugurated three weeks ago.
Critics feel it's condescending to designate a month for special focus on the heritage of one race. "I don't want a Black History Month," actor Morgan Freeman says. "Black history is American history." Observances around the country this month include art exhibits, concerts, readings, lectures, worship services and other presentations of many types. Barack Obama's presidency lets educators connect historic figures to 2009. Some teach about Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for leading a movement that planted millions of trees in Africa. Obama, whose dad was from Kenya, planted a tree in her program while visiting the continent. And like Martin Luther King Jr., Maathai was jailed for fighting injustice. Historian says: "I don't see it going away. There's a Women's History Month. No one would argue that we don't need to be reminded of women who have done things that are important." - Professor Spencer Crew, George Mason University in Virginia Columnist says: "This country has reached a point where we are can stop celebrating separately, stop learning separately, stop being American separately. . . . I propose that Black History Month be no more." - Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press Blogger says: "Black History Month feels especially significant this year. . . . Everywhere one looked during Inauguration weekend were reminders of how Black history and American history had converged." - Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, blogging at The Huffington Post Front Page Talking Points is written by
Felix Grabowski and Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024
Front Page Talking Points Archive►Schools vs. phones: Bans surge to keep focus on learning rather than screens ►Election drama: Democratic convention will pick a nominee as Biden ends campaign against Trump ►President Biden, 81, resists calls to let a younger Democrat run against Donald Trump ►Turning point: Supreme Court says presidents have 'absolute immunity' for official acts ►First Biden-Trump debate of 2024 airs Thursday from Georgia ►Health experts monitor the jump of bird flu to cows and a few farm hands, but see no wide risk ►Negro Leagues stars from a bygone era gain new standing in Major League Baseball records ►Justice Samuel Alito adds two flags to Supreme Court ethics storms |
Step onto any school campus and you'll feel its energy. Each school is turbocharged with the power of young minds, bodies, hearts and spirits.
Here on the Western Slope, young citizens are honing and testing their skills to take on a rapidly changing world. Largely thanks to technology, they are in the midst of the most profound seismic shift the world has ever seen.
Perhaps no time in our history has it been more important to know what our youth are thinking, feeling and expressing.
The Sentinel is proud to spotlight some of their endeavors. Read on to see how some thoroughly modern students are helping learners of all ages connect with notable figures of the past.
Now you can register online to start getting replica e-editions in your classroom.
Even small donations make a big difference in a child's education.
If you are interested in becoming a Partner In Education, please call 970-256-4299 or e-mail nie@GJSentinel.com