NewsCurrents
By Erin Brereton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Great tool for news knowledge that's best for classroom use.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this website.
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NewsCurrents
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What’s It About?
NEWSCURRENTS is a subscription-based publication designed for teachers to use in discussions with students in grades 3 to 12. During the school year, educators can view 34 issues online or get a weekly DVD via mail. Each issue includes basic, general, and advanced versions of articles on national and international news and developments in science, the arts, and other areas -- along with images and videos, sections highlighting a specific country and historical events, quizzes, and other educational elements.
Is It Any Good?
It's clear a considerable amount of thought went into this news-based publication's format. Written content on NewsCurrents is offered in three versions to help target kids' learning level; numerous elements have also been included to engage kids and drive home key concepts, including discussion sections, quizzes, and detailed charts and other imagery.
That said, the design isn't quite as strong as it could be. The layout and navigation are fairly simplistic and can feel a bit outdated, and the site really isn't something parents would review and share with their children. NewsCurrents was designed for teachers to explain current events by using the text to narrate as they show the provided visual elements to students. There are plenty of impressive extras to help educators facilitate that process. They can view a list of Common Core standards that correlate to each issue, for example, or download teaching ideas. But parents looking for a way to review and discuss recent national and international news at home may want to consider another site, such as the publisher's other current events-based offering, Read to Know Family, an online current events magazine created for kids in fifth grade or above.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why news coverage is supposed to be fair and impartial. How can that affect the way you read the news?
How can kids tell if something is a valid news source? Discuss elements that indicate information is coming from a substantiated person or organization -- and signs it isn't.
Website Details
- Subjects: Language & Reading: discussion, reading, reading comprehension, using supporting evidence, Social Studies: events, geography, global awareness, history, power structures, the economy, timelines
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, asking questions, investigation, part-whole relationships, thinking critically
- Genre: Educational
- Pricing structure: Free to try, Paid
- Last updated: April 15, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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