News Video: Weekly Topics for Discussion
News Video for: 12/16/2024

Drones, planes or UFOs? New Jersey residents react to sightings

That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk and a raft of conspiracy theories. Some politicians have urged shooting down unmanned aircraft. But, law enforcement authorities said the aircraft pose no threat to the public and shooting them down would endanger people on the ground. One FBI agent called it all an “overreaction.”

Class discussion: The FAA has registered 855,860 unmanned aircraft that weigh more than half a pound. Most drones are used for recreation. There also are more than 200,000 manned U.S. civil aircraft. Do you think its likely that if you might spot aircraft if you look at the sky? Could a report of seeing lights in the night sky could go viral and cause many more anxious people to look up? Do you think the sightings are the result of a secret plot? Why or why not?

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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.