News Literacy: The Keys to Combating Fake News

by Michelle Luhtala

At a time when misinformation in the media is abundant, this book explains the difficulty in nurturing students to become critical researchers and offers practical lessons that empower students to excavate information that will help them learn.

This guide to teaching news literacy explores a wealth of resources and classroom-tested lessons that educators in grades 7–12 can use in their own libraries and classrooms. To introduce the concept of news literacy, the authors explain the steps of the inquiry and research process in detail and examine the Stanford History Education Group (SHEG) 2016 report "Evaluating The Cornerstone of Civic Online Reasoning" and related research studies.

Lesson plans corresponding to each stage of the process are coordinated to relevant standards from the CCSS and ISTE and are accompanied by rubrics for providing students feedback on their progress as well as samples of student work as it evolved through the stages. Furthermore, the authors' anecdotal insights from their experiences in collaboratively implementing the lessons with colleagues are an invaluable addition for any librarian seeking to work with teachers to help students become critical researchers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

182 pages, Paperback

Published May 9, 2018

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful professional book on ways teachers and librarian partners can teach news literacy. The book's call to action is pared with 26 lesson ideas that could be incorporated throughout the year. Lesson ideas range from two week research units or mini-lessons on evaluating particular articles, tweets, and other sources. Inspiring!

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough, accessible, easy to read book for teaching news and information literacy skills. More than just theory, this book offers 26 lesson plans and loads of resources. While they are geared towards 7-12 grades, I think they lean more towards high school students. I do appreciate having a jumping off point though and will definitely use some and adapt others to better align with my students needs.

[South Brunswick High School Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Luhtala offers a concrete approach to how a high school librarian can partner with teachers to increase their student's understanding of the news, research, and writing. The lessons included are turnkey and clearly show the important impact a librarian can have on their learning community. I can't wait to share this with my teacher partners this fall.

[Colin]

More of a research guide than a primer to prevent the spread of "fake news." At least the contemporary definition of the phrase. Still useful. The lessons are clear. I don't much like the CRAAP test anymore despite its fun name. Overall, a reminder that being above fake news takes a lot of work. Believing lies is just easier. How do we install that stamina in our students (and neighbors)?

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource with great support materials you can adapt and use in the classroom.

[Wayne Bruce · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book ruined my life, after reading it, all my friends left me, i started balding, my grades dropped, my parents wont look at me, as the quote says that people wont remember what you said, but they will remember how they made you feel. So like that, i cant tell you specifically whats so bad about this book, but i know it turned me, a total stud, into a balding outcasted loser. If you value your life, DO NOT READ THIS