Alan's resources sharing today got me going. When I was flipping through the NY Times Upfront magazine, I realized how much of it I'd already read in the Times-- but also how happy I was to know that a slightly simplier version of it was out there for my students.
One of the things I've missed most since arriving here has been the time I set aside every day to read the news. I usually take one to two hours every day to read the paper in print and online. On Sunday, I'll often spend a good three hours with the the paper.
You may have noticed I have some anachronistic tendencies (have I cornered you yet to talk about film chemicals?)-- I absolutely love the newspaper. I read the Chicago Tribune every day, the NY Times on the weekend and the Wall Street Journal when I can get my hands on it. I miss my mornings and evening at my kitchen table, combing through the sections. I've resisted the temptation to get a paper in the morning to keep my attention on the people I'm here to share time with, but also, I hate to be talked to when reading the paper. I'm not at all resistant to reading news online, but I love the paper because it's tangible. A newspaper can't suddenly alert you to emails and other distractions.
What are your media obbsessions and media ticks? Now that I've admitted my newspaper problem, I want to share my favorite news sources.
NextDraft is a newsletter as well as an iPhone and iPad app. Dave Pell, who's an astounding news hound, combs the Internet every day and aggregates (or curates, if you want) the ten best stories and trends of the past 24 hours. Sign up now. I defy you to not get addicted. I'm writing a mini-J1 lesson around this. kottke.org is very similar and just as good.
NPR! I cannot say enough good things about NPR even though for years this was all I thought about it. Mike had mentioned Radiolab in class today. Just take 5 minutes and listen to part of an episode about placing a good bet in the World Poker Series. This American Life is often enjoyable, but I'm more of a sucker for Morning Edition, All Things Considered and World View. I try not to listen in the afternoon when they have people call in, though I may create a news debate forum for my J1ers based on some talk radio.
The New York Times Magazine feeds my problem of hoarding because it's hard to cast away such good content and design. Lots of pages get ripped out and posted for inspiration in the pub.
Longform.com is a huge time suck but always worth a visit. Almost any article from the site can be pulled and given to students to study as examples for exemplary feature writing-- actually, any good writing, period. I read much of what goes up here and there's rarely a dud.
I could keep going, but I want to know your news go-to's. What publications do you feel passionately about? Do you recommend certain publications to your students? Is there someone who's a must to follow on Twitter? Share what you've got! Steve posted his favorites a few days ago, which was wonderful (and please take the complaint and resist throwing the AP style book at me for writing way over our word limit).
Sarah-Anne Lanman
Munster High School
Munster, Ind.
One of the things I've missed most since arriving here has been the time I set aside every day to read the news. I usually take one to two hours every day to read the paper in print and online. On Sunday, I'll often spend a good three hours with the the paper.
You may have noticed I have some anachronistic tendencies (have I cornered you yet to talk about film chemicals?)-- I absolutely love the newspaper. I read the Chicago Tribune every day, the NY Times on the weekend and the Wall Street Journal when I can get my hands on it. I miss my mornings and evening at my kitchen table, combing through the sections. I've resisted the temptation to get a paper in the morning to keep my attention on the people I'm here to share time with, but also, I hate to be talked to when reading the paper. I'm not at all resistant to reading news online, but I love the paper because it's tangible. A newspaper can't suddenly alert you to emails and other distractions.
What are your media obbsessions and media ticks? Now that I've admitted my newspaper problem, I want to share my favorite news sources.
NextDraft is a newsletter as well as an iPhone and iPad app. Dave Pell, who's an astounding news hound, combs the Internet every day and aggregates (or curates, if you want) the ten best stories and trends of the past 24 hours. Sign up now. I defy you to not get addicted. I'm writing a mini-J1 lesson around this. kottke.org is very similar and just as good.
NPR! I cannot say enough good things about NPR even though for years this was all I thought about it. Mike had mentioned Radiolab in class today. Just take 5 minutes and listen to part of an episode about placing a good bet in the World Poker Series. This American Life is often enjoyable, but I'm more of a sucker for Morning Edition, All Things Considered and World View. I try not to listen in the afternoon when they have people call in, though I may create a news debate forum for my J1ers based on some talk radio.
The New York Times Magazine feeds my problem of hoarding because it's hard to cast away such good content and design. Lots of pages get ripped out and posted for inspiration in the pub.
Longform.com is a huge time suck but always worth a visit. Almost any article from the site can be pulled and given to students to study as examples for exemplary feature writing-- actually, any good writing, period. I read much of what goes up here and there's rarely a dud.
I could keep going, but I want to know your news go-to's. What publications do you feel passionately about? Do you recommend certain publications to your students? Is there someone who's a must to follow on Twitter? Share what you've got! Steve posted his favorites a few days ago, which was wonderful (and please take the complaint and resist throwing the AP style book at me for writing way over our word limit).
Sarah-Anne Lanman
Munster High School
Munster, Ind.
I get the NY Times iPad edition for the education rate (half off). In addition to the cool factor, being able to adjust the font helps my tired eyes. And I don't have to turn and fold pages reading it on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteSteve Elliott
Arizona State University
Phoenix
News junkies should try Drudge Report and Drudge Retort. I used to scan them daily for links to breaking news, but since I started teaching, I hardly ever bother.
ReplyDeleteReport is from the right-leaning point of view and Retort from the left, which i why I suggest checking them both. Even if you lean to one side, it is good to see how the other side views the news.
I was once described as walking down the middle and throwing rocks at both sides. That's not too far off.
Scott Davis
Westville OK High School
Excellent ideas! I listen to NPR every morning on my commute, but I never think to share it with my students (though I do share some This American Life episodes that I absolutely love - my favorite episode is "Recordings for Someone"). We also watch CNN Student News every Monday. It lasts about five minutes and hits them with the important news of the day.
ReplyDeleteTracy Marcello
Fossil Ridge HS
Fort Collins, Colo.