Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, 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.
09/05/2016
Hackers target state elections systems
The FBI has put election officials across the country on alert after hackers reportedly targeted two states' voter registration systems. The hacks, at least one of which is believed to be carried out by Russians, led both states to shut down their systems for a week. US agencies reportedly are investigating what they see as a covert Russian operation to sow public distrust in the upcoming presidential election.
■Class discussion: Do you think hackers could change the outcome of elections? How could hacking make people distrust the way elections are run? Why would Russian officials try to disrupt voting in the United States? Has the Russian government interfered in other nations’ elections? Has the United States ever tried to influence voting in other countries?