by Devon Chipman | 23 Feb 2024 | Contest winners, Education, Educators' Catalog, Student Posts, Tatnall School, Youth Voices
Some school districts across the world find that one day less of classes per week can produce more effective learning. But not everyone is convinced. Girls in school uniforms head to classes. A calendar column shows that Mondays are off. (Illustration by Kaja Andrić)...
In an excellent piece written by high schooler Devon Chipman of News Decoder partner The Tatnall School, we consider the pros and cons of a four-day school week. Develop students’ critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning skills using this youth voice story.
Exercise: Before reading the article, ask your students whether or not they support a four-day school week. Then, read the article together and see if opinions have changed. After this initial discussion, facilitate a class debate on whether or not to implement a four-day school week at your school. Students should take on different personas in the debate to argue a perspective they may not personally agree with — school administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, students, college admission officers, etc. Each student contribution during the debate should incorporate evidence from the article.
by Ramanpreet Syan | 8 Feb 2024 | Contest winners, Culture, Human Rights, Religion, Student Posts, Tatnall School, Youth Voices
In Sikh culture, the turban is a symbol of spirituality, holiness, respect and self-honor. Why then do some people react to it with fear and anger? Members of the Sikh community walk during the Parliament of World Religion Parade of Faiths in Chicago, 13 August 2023....
by Marta Jansone | 4 Dec 2023 | Contest winners, Culture, European School Brussels, Student Posts, Youth Voices
It is hard on teens when families move to cities far away. What happens when you must move to a new country, again and again? Packed boxes in a house. Credit: Brazzo/Getty Signature Images This article, by high school student Marta Jansone, was produced out of News...
by Keya Dutt | 22 Aug 2023 | Contest winners, Educators' Catalog, School Year Abroad, Science, Student Posts, Youth Voices
Lots of people watch whales. But telling males and females apart and one whale from another takes special expertise. One researcher is using AI to do that. A whale leaps out of the water. Credit: Josianne Bouffard This article, by high school student Keya Dutt, was...
This piece, by youth correspondent Keya Dutt of News Decoder partner institution School Year Abroad, dives into the world of marine science and artificial intelligence. Through interviews with a veterinarian working with whales off the coast of Mozambique, the article discusses the implications of AI for experts trying to learn more about life under the sea.
Exercise: Artificial intelligence has varying effects on different groups of people. Help students adopt multiple perspectives by engaging in a “Circle of Viewpoints” activity after reading the article. In groups of five, students will each adopt a distinct persona to answer the following questions: Should artificial intelligence be allowed in secondary schools? What, if any, should be the limitations to using this tool? Personas may range from: student, school principal, parent/guardian, classroom teacher, AI developer in your local community. In each group, give students 10 minutes to independently brainstorm the pros and cons of using AI in the classroom, then 20-30 minutes to come to a consensus as a group. All groups should then share their final conclusions with the class and reflect on the process of adopting multiple perspectives.
by Annette Khosravi | 2 Jun 2023 | Contest winners, Educators' Catalog, Environment, Student Posts, Tatnall School, Youth Voices
To bring a fish back from the brink of extinction, people must push for protection over pollution. An Atlantic sturgeon. (Credit: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control) This article, by high school student Annette Khosravi, was produced...
Student author Annette Khosravi from ND school partner The Tatnall School delves into the world of conservation in this piece about saving the Atlantic sturgeon. Highlighting News Decoder’s mission to connect the local to the global, this text serves as an example of how local activism may lead to widespread positive impacts.
Exercise: Ask students to look into the environmental and social organizations in your local community. What types of local groups could they contribute to? What is the broader significance of civic engagement? After completing their research, students should each come up with and present a 90-second “elevator pitch” for the organization they researched, including a specific call to action for others to get involved.
by Luis Eberl | 31 May 2023 | Contest winners, Environment, Realgymnasium Rämibühl Zürich, Student Posts, Youth Voices
We’re seeing decreasing snow in mountain regions around the world. But there is more at stake than a photographic background or the perfect ski run. People work on a tarpaulin which cover the ice of the Corvatsch glacier, near Samedan, Switzerland, 5 September...
by Sabria Streett | 24 May 2023 | Contest winners, Human Rights, Student Posts, Tatnall School, Youth Voices
When you take a close look at the global problem of human trafficking, it turns out to be a lot closer to home than you might expect. Photo illustration: News Decoder This article, by high school student Sabria Streett, was produced out of News Decoder’s school...
by Keya Dutt and Lusha Greer | 2 May 2023 | Contest winners, Europe, School Year Abroad, Student Posts, Youth Voices
In Palermo, paying “pizzo” or protection money used to be common practice. But now businesses say to the Mafia: Addiopizzo! This article, by high school students Keya Dutt and Lusha Greer, was produced out of News Decoder’s school partnership program....
by Emily Yang | 14 Apr 2023 | Contest winners, Realgymnasium Rämibühl Zürich, Student Posts, Youth Voices
The galgo is a popular hunting dog in Spain. But a worldwide network of dog lovers march each year to stop a practice they believe is inhumane. On the left Eden, a rescued Spanish Greyhound, was found covered by ticks when rescued from a pound in Almeria, Spain. On...
by Samantha Crystal and Phoebe Diamond | 12 Apr 2023 | Contest winners, Hewitt, Student Posts, Women, Youth Voices
Women and girls across the world are lobbying to make menstrual products free or at least tax-free. Illustration: News Decoder This article, by high school students Samantha Crystal and Phoebe Diamond was produced out of News Decoder’s school partnership program. The...
