FAKE NEWS- Developing Digital Literacy

 

Teaching Digital Literacy

FAKE NEWS!

Get the downloadable version here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FAKE-NEWS-Teaching-Digital-Critical-LiteracyFREEBIE-INA-4494790#show-price-update

Seems like almost every day, this term is being used. Just WHAT is Fake News? Can you tell the difference between fake and real news?  

1. A cyclist in England snapped a photograph of some very unusual pigs. They looked like sheep with their wooly coats.  He posted the photographs on social media. Do you think what he posted was a real photograph or fake? Why? How would you go about determining whether this is a real or fake story? ___________________________________________________

2. A couple of years ago, it was announced that on a certain date, April 20th, the planet Uranus would be moving into the moon’s orbit and for ninety minutes, the moon would appear green. The very rare occurrence had a name. It was known as a “green Moon”. The news story posted on Facebook said that the last time this scientific event occurred was 420 years ago! People were encouraged to share the news story. What do you think of this story? Real or Fake? WHY?

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3. After a tragedy such as an earthquake or flooding, many people are homeless. Designed by architects in Poland, the Skysheltermay be helpful. An  accordion-like shelter, it can be airlifted easily to where temporary shelter is needed. Once on site, the “skyscraper” unfolds almost instantly and can be used as housing. There is a balloon inside which quickly can be filled with helium to raise the building. What do you think of this story? Could it be a real story or is it fake? ____________________________________________________

4. It was stated that when President Barack Obama was President, he signed an Executive Order banning the National Anthem at all sporting events in the United States? Do you think this was True or Fake news? Why?___________________________________________________

5.Why do you think people create “fake news”? _______________________

_______________________________________________________Why do you think so many people "believe" FAKE News stories?______________________________________________________

6. “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own set of facts,” said a famous lawmaker named Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. What do you think he was saying with this statement?________________________________________

7. For World Penguin Day(held every April 25th),the BBC announced an amazing discovery in Antarctica. Flying penguins were spotted! The announcement stated that the flying birds actually fly about 1000 miles to South America, in the winter time, to spend time in the tropics. What was used in the article to suggest this MIGHT be a true story?______________ How could you go about determining whether or not the story was true?_____________________________

For Teachers:

Check out my FREE April Fool's Day Pranks for additional examples of News/ FAKE News for your students to review. 

Additionally, my resource on the history of April Fool's Day has LOTS of materials  which could also be used to develop digital literacy with your students.Teaching Digital Literacy

Some things to consider in determining whether a story is FAKE or REAL:

1. Consider the Source.
2. Who is the author?
3. Check the date?
4. Check if the story is found elsewhere.
5. What are the supporting sources?
6. Are there spelling errors or incorrect grammar?
7. Check a site such as Snopes to see if the news is true.
8. Is the URL a known site?(Ie. Cnn.com vs. cnn.com.co)

Note: There is a Penguin Awareness Day held each January 20th.

This is part of my resource on FAKE NEWS, Developing Digital Critical Literacy with Kids(INA): FAKE NEWS? RESOURCE: 

Illustrations from Wpclipart.com