Module 7 Assignment: Fake News

After looking over many of the links and information on the New York Times article that was
provided, I chose this article for this assignment along with this video. I decided to use this
article because it listed consumer questions that I can introduce to my students so they can use
them when trying to find reliable information. One of the national health standards is teaching
students how to access accurate and reliable information. The consumer questions that I found
are a great tool for students and they would fit into my current events lessons perfectly. I have a
current event day in each unit where students need to find a current event article about our unit.
I also wanted to use the TED talk video linked above because it is a great way to start a
discussion about fake news.

Lesson Plan

Topic: Stress: Current Event

Standards: National Health Standard 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid
information and products and services to enhance health.

Objectives: Students will be able to determine the difference between fake and real news
Introduction: Students will watch this video and have a class discussion on fake news.

Activity:
1. Go over the consumer’s questions as a class.
2. Discuss why the questions are useful. Specifically, why do the answers to these questions
matter?
4. Pass out the worksheets and have students research stress-related current
events.
5. Discuss the student’s findings as a class.
Assessment/Closure: Review the reasons for using the consumer questions when finding real
news. Remind students we will be completing a similar assignment in each unit.
 The Consumer’s Questions
WHO made this?
• Professional journalists?
• Citizen journalists?
• Average Joes?
• Qualified experts?

WHY was this made? What is its purpose?

• To inform?
• To get my attention?
• To make money?
• To persuade/change minds?

HOW is the information sourced?

• Primary or secondary?
• Named and/or anonymous?
• Print, digital or social media?

WHEN was this made?

• Is it current? Does it have any outdated information or links?
• Has enough time passed to verify the facts?

WHAT is this missing?

• Is this the whole story?
• What perspectives aren’t represented?
• What questions aren’t answered?

WHERE do I go from here?

• How do I get additional information? Verify the facts?
• Where can I find other perspectives on the topic?
• Remember: Many is better than few.

Washington, D.C., area school groups are sponsored by WTOP 103.5 FM.
Name:
Date:

Putting the Consumer’s Questions to Work

Topic your class is investigating: _______________________________________________________

Find two sources of information relating to this topic. These could be websites, articles (online
or in print), books, video clips, etc.

ITEM #1

Headline/Title:

Media type (book, website, etc.)

How did you find this information?_______________________________________________________

ANALYSIS

Who made this report? ________________________________________________________

How is the information sourced? _________________________________________________

Why was this report made? _____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

When was this report made? ___________________________________________________

What is this report missing? ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Where do I go from here? ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

After answering the consumer’s questions about source 1, do you think it is trustworthy? Why or why
not?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Washington, D.C., area school groups are sponsored by WTOP 103.5 FM.
Name:
Date:

ITEM #2

Headline/Title:

Media type and name (book, website, etc.)

How did you find this information?_______________________________________________________

ANALYSIS

Who made this report? ________________________________________________________

How is the information sourced? _________________________________________________

Why was this report made? _____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

When was this report made? ___________________________________________________

What is this report missing? ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Where do I go from here? ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

After answering the consumer’s questions about source 2, do you think it is trustworthy? Why or why
not?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Washington, D.C., area school groups are sponsored by WTOP 103.5 FM.