Let’s Talk About News: Bringing Local Issues into Text-Based Discussions

Explore how text-based discussions around local news can build cross-disciplinary skills and motivate students to find their place and voice in their communities. This session shares results and free materials from the federally funded THINKING PRO media literacy curriculum unit, which connects reading, thinking, and writing skills.

Participants will learn a framework for meaningful text-based discussions that help students comprehend texts, think critically about local issues, and connect content to lived experiences. The session also offers tools for guiding collaborative problem-solving, respectful dialogue, and active participation—adaptable for diverse classrooms and student needs.