Lesson Plan: Fake News Fools Millions!

A step-by-step guide to teaching this article in your classroom

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Students will learn how to identify fake news and understand how it can influence real-world events.

KEY STANDARDS

RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.7, RI.6-8.3, RI.6-8.7, RI.6-8.10, SL.6-8.1, SL.6-8.2, SL.6-8.4, WHST.6-8.8

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

• Use this article to spark a discussion about censorship and the responsibilities of social media companies.

• Integrate this article into a unit on journalism.

Before Reading

1. ASSESS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
(10 MINUTES)

Have students respond to this prompt: How do you determine if what you read, watch, or hear is factual? Ask students to share their answers with the class.

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Read & Analyze

2. INDEPENDENT READING
(15 MINUTES)

Have students read the article on their own, writing down any comments or questions.


3. FULL-CLASS DISCUSSION
(15 MINUTES)

Use these questions to guide a discussion.

  • What is the purpose of the opening paragraph?
    (It shows the abundance of fake news sites and how easy it has become for false information to go viral.)
  • Why do you think the editors included the sidebar on how to spot fake news?
    (They wanted to help kids learn how to spot fake news, because a recent study found that more than 80 percent of middle school students couldn’t distinguish between real news stories and ads disguised as news.)
  • Should social media companies limit or ban questionable news articles from their platforms?
    (Answers: Yes, because fake news can influence real-world events. No, because it shouldn’t be their role to censor what people can read or share with others. Other answers may be acceptable.)

Extend & Assess

4. ACCESS COMPREHENSION
Find out how well students understood the article by assigning the skills sheet Test Prep: Know the News—Fake News Fools Millions!

DIFFERENTIATING

Lower Level Provide students with a list of fake news websites to choose from for their research activity.

Higher Level Ask students to compare stories on the fake news sites they find with those on reputable sites.

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