Detecting Bias/ Analyzing Political Commercials

Today was much more productive than yesterday! First, with step four we were able to dissect a full article, answering almost every question on the detecting bias in the news worksheet, and many students who normally struggle answering some of the questions on their own. I thought the article was simple enough for them to understand, which helped a lot. We even got through the whole bias lesson and viewed a couple of political commercials to introduce them to that next topic. In step 6 we had a different group og 4 students today who were much more productive. We got through the whole bias lesson, and added a second analysis exercise where they analyzed editorials about the Iraq war to detect bias, and did so well. In this class we got through about 2 political commercials and will pick up there on Thursday. In step 5 we got through the whole bias lesson analyzing both the longer article and clips from editorials. One of the most effective parts was having them pick out the sentence they agreed with most and the sentence they disagreed with most. I think the point that got across the most in each class was that they don't include every point of view or ask each group that is affected for their opinion. We will pick up Thursday with the political commercials lesson in all 3 classes.