We Are What We Read

Help your students develop a critical eye in examining the news and information they read. By understanding journalistic ethics and how stories are produced, students can be more aware of what they are reading and more capable of making informed decisions. Educators are encouraged to reflect on the presented content to identify ways to integrate strategies into their practice to support students’ critical thinking, data analysis, and literacy skills across all subject matter areas.

Presenters & Materials

Global Perspective: Importance of News Literacy

John Silva, News Literacy Project

• News Literacy Project Website
• NLP for Educators

In-Practice Perspective: From the Newsroom

Emily Reddy, News Director, WPSU

• Radio News Production Presentation
• Example Radio News Story (Altoona)
• News Roundup Newsletter

Carolyn Donaldson, Community Engagement Manager, WPSU, and former WTAJ News Anchor

• The Changing Story of Local TV News Presentation
• AI News Anchor Video
• Journalism in Schools Resource for Educators
• WPSU Station Virtual Field Trips

In-Classroom Application: Classroom Application & Lesson Plans

Marie Cusick, PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab & Lisa Wilk, WHYY

• PBS NewsHour & Student Reporting Lab Presentation
• PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab Website
• Story Maker
• SRL Curriculum
• SRL On Our Minds Podcast
• WHYY Education
• WHYY Toolkit for Launching Youth Media Programs (PDF)
• Art Class Resource: "Art in Real Life" series created by student reporters
• Student Media Production Video Tutorial Series "Level-Up"

Alexandra List, College of Education at Penn State University

• Presentation
• Analyzing Anecdotal and Statistical Information Lesson Plan
• Analyzing Anecdotal and Statistical Information Student Handout
• Ethical Decision Making in Journalism Lesson Plan
• Ethical Decision Making in Journalism Student Handout
• Teacher Reflection
  
  

Additional Resources

• WPSU News Literacy Resources