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PrimaryEnglish

Navigating the Media Minefield with Primary Students

Maddy Barnes, English consultant and assistant headteacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School, discusses the importance of teaching pupils about current affairs…

Maddy Barnes
by Maddy Barnes
Dyslexia facts for children
DOWNLOAD A FREE RESOURCE! Dyslexia facts – Fact sheet for children
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We are living in an increasingly connected world where news stories discussing complex topics from many perspectives – and, indeed, to varying degrees of accuracy – are available at the click of a button.

It is understandable that, for many education practitioners, the idea of discussing current affairs with students may be slightly overwhelming, to say the least.

However, these topics should not be skimmed over or avoided in the classroom.

A good understanding of current affairs provides students with the essential tools they need not only to think critically about the pressing issues of today, but also to support their learning and development in relation to the curriculum.

The ability to identify and understand key issues in the news helps to engage a child’s curiosity and stimulate cognitive growth.

At Sacred Heart Catholic School we have been using the ‘All About’ series created by The Week Junior to integrate current affairs into the classroom. Download an example here.

This resource is a tremendously useful series of articles which encompasses a range of subject areas suitable for KS2 and KS3 pupils, including history, geography, science and English.

Each carefully researched topic covers issues that we might find in the headlines such as the Houses of Parliament, recycling, human rights and refugees.

These articles have proven so helpful in approaching complex and sensitive issues with my students as they provide digestible, interesting information in an age-appropriate way.

We have found that the clear and colourful style is engaging and accessible, sparking the students’ interest right away.

It is always encouraging to see our next generation engage with current affairs at such a young age. It is all the more encouraging to see how cross-curricular benefits to a student’s learning and development can be achieved through a knowledge of current affairs.

The key points discussed in each article of The Week Junior’s ‘All About’ series provide excellent touchstones for more generalised educational engagement such as exploring a curriculum topic with pupils or forming the basis of a research project.

Personally, I have found these articles invaluable as reading exercises.

Their style and format enables students to develop their reading comprehension and vocabulary and, at the same time, the level of research used to inform the article offers students a solid insight into the often complex and challenging issues that they might notice on their TV screens or social media platforms.

Research shows that encouraging curiosity in real world events has invaluable benefits.

For example, by engaging with real-world news, children show a positive increase in resilience during the transition period to secondary school, a critical moment in a child’s progression through the education system.

As I’m sure any teacher would agree, one of the best parts of the job is watching a child’s confidence grow.

The confidence gained through regular engagement with current affairs is certainly visible in the classroom: students can identify key points, ask perceptive questions and offer creative responses to the materials.

These are the skills that will propel them through an inspiring, rewarding and most importantly enjoyable education.

In our fast-paced, globalised society, digesting the news can seem a mammoth task even for adults. Yet, the benefits of real world engagement are manifold and it really is essential to get students involved from a young age.

Incorporating ‘All About’ into my lesson plans has proven a fantastic way to do this. It is always a pleasure to watch students benefit from a concise and well-rounded insight into the many sides of our wonderful and complex world.

I would encourage all teachers to make use of a current affairs resource to give their students a real boost!

To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.

Download a free PDF resource from the All About… series on dyslexia facts.

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