Learning about current events...

[Julie in CA]

I find it difficult to teach my children about current events. We talk about things in the news, but I don't have a very strong background in History, and I know I'm missing some important components about *why* things are happening. What I need is a source that is current, but assumes you're a bonehead that needs things explained from a historical perspective. Any ideas?

[regentrude]

I recommend having your student read a weekly magazine about current events.

We have a subscription to the Economist which has great in-depth articles. my 13 y/o has started reading it; some issues she reads cover to cover, some issues she just picks a few articles. They put the events in context and have a lot of background information.

 

The Economist was discussed on the general board a few weeks ago:

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201912&highlight=Economist.

[Guest]

Another good magazine is UpFront by the New York Times. Each issue has articles on selected current events, one or more articles with a specifically historical focus (recent issues included articles on the Korean War and the current status of Vietnam in comparison to the Vietnam War era), and usually there is an article on what life is like for teens in a particular country (China, Indonesia, etc.). It's more readable than The Economist for a child who does not particularly like non-fiction, and it has great pictures.

[Julie in CA]

I recommend having your student read a weekly magazine about current events.

We have a subscription to the Economist which has great in-depth articles. my 13 y/o has started reading it; some issues she reads cover to cover, some issues she just picks a few articles. They put the events in context and have a lot of background information.

 

The Economist was discussed on the general board a few weeks ago:

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201912&highlight=Economist.

Thank you. :001_smile:

I pick up The Economist once in a while. I should see about a regular subscription. I'm still looking for more though!

[Julie in CA]

Another good magazine is UpFront by the New York Times. Each issue has articles on selected current events, one or more articles with a specifically historical focus (recent issues included articles on the Korean War and the current status of Vietnam in comparison to the Vietnam War era), and usually there is an article on what life is like for teens in a particular country (China, Indonesia, etc.). It's more readable than The Economist for a child who does not particularly like non-fiction, and it has great pictures.

This sounds good! I will check it out. Thanks. :001_smile:

[Kareni]

Two prior threads with some other suggestions:

 

Current Events-How to teach?

 

How are you doing current events?

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Anna]

My oldest dd is graduating this year as a Poli-Sci Major. If you're interested in relatively unbiased websites, these are the top three that her professors recommend to the students. If you keep a steady eye on these sites you'll stay up to date on current events without having to spend a dime.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com

Edited September 13, 2010 by Anna