Using Newspapers and News Magazines to Teach History by Stephanie C Munck A Master s Project for ED 7999 In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching 2007 Major Social Studies Education Approved by Dr Bob Pettapiece Date 1 Table of Contents Chapter One Introduction to the Project Situation Need and Significance Summary Chapter Two Review of Related Literature Introduction Theoretical Basis Research Suggested Approaches Summary 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 Chapter Three Methodology Introduction Hypothesis Population Description of Project Data Collection Summary 9 9 9 9 10 11 12 Chapter Four Findings Introduction Hypothesis 1 Table 1 Hypothesis 2 Table 2 13 13 13 Chapter Five 14 14 15 Conclusions and Recommendations Introduction Conclusions Recommendations Personal Observations References Appendix A Appendix B 17 17 17 18 18 19 Pre Survey and Post Survey MEAP Based Comparative Essay 2 20 22 Chapter One Introduction to the Project Introduction to the Situation Times are changing society is evolving and technology is growing For these reasons among others it has become increasingly difficult to divert the minds of high school students away from the newest MP3 players cellular phones and other modern advancements and be successful in getting them to concentrate on issues of the past Young minds today care about what affects them and that is the here and now So why bother with things that have already happened when so much is occurring in the present Because history repeats itself we learn from our mistakes and you cannot know where your going until you understand where you have been The Need and Significance Educators today need to look at the history being taught in social studies classrooms and make it relevant to their students In most school settings textbooks which can be static and frequently outdated are the major source or instruction about societal issues Sumrall Schillinger 2004 For this reason it is essential for students learn to draw parallels between history and the modern world through the use of media Newspapers magazines journals and other periodicals are the real world s textbooks They allow students to educate themselves on current issues and if properly integrated into a classroom setting will enable the teacher to draw clear and concise lines between the past present and future The media today has the capability to inform students how history affects them and why it is so crucial 3 Summary Because so many students have the tendency to view history as something that should be left in the past this project was designed to pull history from that which has already happened and make it relevant to the lives students are living today While examining articles in current periodicals and using class time to draw clear parallels between the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s and modern struggles it is predicted that students will show an increased understanding of the ongoing relevance of the Civil Rights Movement and perform better on a MEAP based constructed response essay In addition they will become more apt to read newspapers and other educational periodicals thus taking a step towards becoming lifelong learners and better citizens Their comprehension and appreciation of the material will be a direct result of seeing and experiencing the links between history and current issues and thus gaining a new perspective on how history directly affects them 4 Chapter Two Review of Related Literature Introduction According to Jason Endacott Proving history s relevance to students is a daunting task that social studies educators face everyday as the create lesson plans that they hope will spark their students interest in learning about the past 2005 p 227 Most social studies teachers may agree adolescents are not concerned with deceased historical figures who play no role in their daily lives Even when presented with the notions that history repeats itself and one cannot fully understand where one is going until he knows where one has been most teenage students will still express doubt and reluctance Student doubts inevitably lead to the question of why learn this material which is the bane of every social studies educator Endacott 2005 However the use of current events specifically educational periodicals in teaching historical matters enables educators to present a clear concise and tangible parallel between the past present and future According to the National Council for the Social Studies Social studies programs should reflect the changing nature of knowledge fostering entirely new and highly integrated approaches to resolving issues of significance to humanity Sumrall Schillinger 2004 p 6 Utilizing current events in the classroom is fulfilling that request and enticing students at the same time Theoretical Bases According to Williams J Sumrall and Donald N Schillinger In most school settings textbooks which can be static and frequently outdated are the major source of instruction about societal and science issues 2004 p 5 Yet intelligent humorist Will Rogers has been quoted 5 as saying All I know is what I read in newspapers Hopkins 2005 p 1 Perhaps social studies educators today should take a cue from Rogers and increase the use of educational periodicals such as newspapers into their classrooms so as to reduce the boredom and disinterest in history that is often created by incessant reference to and reading of the traditional textbook The National Council for the Social Studies merely reaffirms this notion by suggesting that it is through exposure to various media and first hand experiences that young learners become aware of and are affected by events on a global scale Sumrall Schillinger 2004 Furthermore the use of current events not only allows students to form a link between historical concepts and modern issues but also helps them to become more informed citizens and active and avid readers According to William Wraga It is time for social studies educators to recognize that the ability and inclination to integrate and apply knowledge constitute an essential civic competence and that we must enact interdisciplinary curricular arrangements to foster that competence in future citizens 1993 p 226 Research According to Gary Hopkins students often cite the following as benefits of current events programs heightened language vocabulary reading comprehension critical thinking problem solving oral expression and listening skills