React Lesson Plans for November 4-10, 1996

Find these plans at http://augustachronicle.com/kids/react/110496.html

react vocab

The following words appear in this week s issue of react; imminent, lyrics, refugee, explicit, loitering, magnificently, conceded, apathy, distinguished, collapsed, impact, significant, hypocrisy, vigorously, incident, impish, seized, ambitious, glorifying, fragile.

 Have your students define the words... find them in react... use as many as possible in a short story or a newspaper-style piece... and select five of the words and identify the sections of the newspaper where they would most likely be used.
Vote in react poll. This week s question: Would you go to a different school if you had a choice? (page 3)

 Conduct this poll in your class and calculate the percentage results. Then discuss: What are the strengths and weaknesses of your school? How would you attract new students to your school? How would you use the newspaper to spread good news about your school press releases highlighting events and students accomplishments... ads describing features and benefits of the school... sports coverage... etc.

bound for glory (page 4)

Brian Jagger, 17, is running for lieutenant governor of California. If elected in 1998, Brian will work on education issues, because I was just there -- I m still there, he says.

 Brian cares... he s enthusiastic... he wants to make a difference... and he wants to help teens avoid the apathy that has turned so many of their parents into non-voters. Discuss: Do you believe you can positively change things? Why? After studying the newspaper, what stands out as the most severe problem in your city/state? Why? How would you propose to tackle the problem?
 Design a government lesson for your students:

react poll results (page 4)

We asked the question, Does it really matter to you and your future who is elected president? in our Sept. 2-8 issue... and more than 6,000 readers responded.

 Discuss with your students: What issues are important to you and your family consider: crime, violence, drugs + smoking, education, the environment, economy/job opportunities, wars/conflicts, race relations/ diversity issues. Why? Throughout the process of following newspaper election coverage, which presidential candidate best addressed the majority of these issues? Why? How? Do you believe that your future will be shaped by the person chosen to lead us into the 21st century? Why? How?

news now... in bin (page 5)

What s in according to trend-trackers from Baldwin, Mich.; Mastic Beach, N.Y.; Sumter , S.C.; Staten Island, N.Y.

 Have your students develop an in bin for your school featuring the latest trends and fashion styles spotted in the classrooms, halls, at the dances, and on the playing fields, and send them to: react/in-bin, 711 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017; e-mail: in-bin@react.com
 Have your students review the local and classified sections of the newspaper and identify in bin items from your town/state. They should consider the following: If someone visiting your town picked up the local newspaper, what would this person learn about the people and their values... activities... trends... fashion styles... politics... local issues... work habits/economy/job opportunities... housing... etc.

when HATE came to town (pages 8+9)

Residents of Fond du Lac, Wis., fought a rash of racist violence.

 Have your students define the following: prejudice, racism, diversity, multi- racial, multi- culturalism , stereotypes, intolerance, supremacists.
 Discuss: What motivates skinheads and why do people follow them? How do skinheads forget that most Americans ancestors -- even theirs-- were immigrants from other lands? What was the significance of Fond du Lac s rally to take back the town? Why? Does your town need this sort of action? If so, how would you organize it?
 Discuss: Has anyone experienced or witnessed racial tension or violence... and/or discrimination or prejudice? What was the cause and effect of the situation? How did it make you feel? Why?
 Have your students identify newspaper articles reporting on racially motivated actions, conflicts or violence... and/or discrimination or prejudice. What was the cause and effect of the situation? Have your students offer thoughtful solutions for these situations.
 Have your students define themselves I am a student... a daughter... a field hockey player... a volunteer. After students read their definitions aloud, note how many people included race in their definitions. Discuss: Why did some of you note race while others of you didn t? If you noted race, why did you do so in the beginning (or end) of your definition? In general, how important is race when defining who you really are? Why?

the react take action awards (page 9)

There are thousands of teens working to make the world a better place. If your students are taking action, react wants to hear from them... because we re giving away five $20,000 college scholarships to help outstanding young people get the education they need to become tomorrow s leaders! Please see the attached react take action awards information/entry form.

screenings and screamings...

CeCe Penniston s movin on (page 10) When she was 13, the singer told her mom, I m going to be famous someday. CeCe worked her plan, and at 26, things have never looked brighter.

 Have your students identify their dreams... and their plans to achieve th ose dreams. Highlight CeCe s philosophy It s easy to be sad in this big old wide world, so if you can be happy, you re a step ahead of the game.
 Have your students use the newspaper to identify: Dream jobs -- and stepping-stone jobs... people they admire and their plans for happiness and success. skating is my island (page 12) On her journey from orphan to Olympic champ, the ice has been Oksana Baiul s only home.
 If I feel bad, I m going on the ice, Oksana says. Then I feel better. Discuss with your students: What do you do when you feel bad? How do you work through bad/sad/depressed feelings? Why? How important is this outlet to you? Why?
 Oksana was born in Ukraine and now lives in Simsbury , Conn. Have your students identify Ukraine on a world map and do research using the newspaper/books/Internet to describe the country s government, language, climate, culture, economy/industry, population, food sources, typical living conditions, etc. Compare and contrast what Oksana s life may have been like in Ukraine vs. her current life in Connecticut.

our voices (page 14)

On virtually react, we asked whether our readers thought a woman could get elected president of the United States if she ran today. Virtually all of the respondents said no.

 State a debate in your class... and make sure boys and girls are on each side of the issue!
 Have your students study the newspaper and identify women featured in articles who have qualities that would work well in the White House. How? Why? Then have your students take a full inventory of the newspaper noting male/female mentions, photos, story features. Is there equality of coverage? If not, should there be? Why? If your students feel strongly about this issue, have them write letters to the editor reflecting their views.

around the world... throughout react

react receives mail, e-mail, phone calls and faxes from around the U.S. -- and the world -- which are featured in ask anything (page 3) and our voices (page 14). Likewise, teens are featured in stories throughout the issue from various places.

 Have your students list all of the cities, states and countries noted in this week's issue of react and plot them on maps. Students should then refer to the newspaper's weather map -- list the temperatures for each -- and determine the percentage difference between the lowest and highest temperature. Concerning the U.S. references, have your students identify the city/state furthest from yours... and plan a road trip -- calculate miles, determine the best route, list what to pack for the weather they may experience, etc.