Decoder Replay: Measles spread. Let’s revisit vaccine myths.

Decoder Replay: Measles spread. Let’s revisit vaccine myths.

Some think there is a global conspiracy to promote harmful vaccines. But doctors and health experts agree: Vaccines are safe and they save lives. Measles vaccine, conceptual image (Photo by: SCIENCE PHOTO via AP Images.) Editor’s note: On 24 January 2024, the...

In recent years, the rise of measles reported by the World Health Organization is cause for concern. It doesn’t help that vaccine misinformation keeps many parents from immunizing their children against the disease. Get the facts straight and debunk vaccine myths in this piece by health and science correspondent Maggie Fox. 

Exercise: After students read the article, divide them into groups of three. Each group should select a vaccine myth presented in the article and create a public service announcement (PSA) debunking the myth. The PSA should be short and catchy, and may be presented through any format of choice: text, images, video, multimedia, etc. The class will vote on the best PSA.

Decoder Replay: Is there a role for a monarch in a democracy?

Decoder Replay: Is there a role for a monarch in a democracy?

King Charles III now sits on the British throne. In Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik is expected to ascend. What role do these royals have in the modern world? Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark,...

With the ascension of King Frederik X to the Danish throne in January 2024, we reconsider the role of monarchs in a modern world. Using this republished piece from correspondent Harvey Morris, help students develop evidence-based reasoning skills with an accompanying classroom debate activity. 

Exercise: Read the article with your class, then divide students into two debate groups. One group will represent a pro-monarchy opinion, and the other group will represent an anti-monarchy opinion. Students will answer the following debate question: Should monarchies around the world be abolished? To answer the question, students should prepare an argument using the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning framework. The claim answers the question. The evidence should be collected from the article or another reputable source. The reasoning should explain why the evidence supports the claim.

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