Program Objectives:
Talk about fake news in a general way and across different media, looking at historical examples (War of the Worlds), unintentional fake news and intentional fake news, fake news as satire (The Onion), and the impact of fake news on the real world. Discuss ways of determining if news is real or fake, using examples and demonstrating skills.
Activities:
- Games and Booktalks. Play the game “two truths and a lie.” Ideas for this can also be sourced from the books listed below (such as this example from Real or Fake, scroll to the bottom of this page for the answer!):
A. The ancient Romans used urine as mouthwash
B. Baby tigers are born hairless and without stripes
C. Tiny creatures known as book scorpions live in the pages of old books - Share and read from a few books. You could also play part of the recording from the War of the Worlds radio broadcast from 1938.
- Database Demo. Discuss the Library’s role in providing access to vetted, reliable, neutral information, and show our database page. Pick one or two databases to highlight.
- Break the kids into small groups that will be tasked to report on two news stories, one based on true facts, and one fake. To report on real stories, they can use iPads or laptops to browse our databases, and research topics such as current political and world events. They then can use stamps, newsprint and markers and glue: kids can write the headline and story (or use letter stamps) on the newsprint and glue the photo(s) into a newspaper format. There are also newspaper templates available online if you want to do the entire program digitally.
- At the conclusion, kids will present their news stories using newsroom props (a trench coat costume, a NYC backdrop, and microphone props). The group will guess if the story is fake or real. They can discuss the differences between creating a fake story and a real one. “Real” stories involve research, interviewing, tracking down sources. Making up a “fake” story on the spot might feel a little easier.
Suggested Booklist:
Aliens Are Coming! : The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast by Meghan McCarthy
Check the CatalogReal or Fake? : Far-Out Fibs, Fishy Facts, and Phony Photos to Test for the Truth by Emily Krieger ; illustrations by Tom Nick Cocotos
Check the CatalogReal or Fake? 2 : More Far-Out Fibs, Fishy Facts, and Phony Photos to Test for the Truth by Emily Krieger ; illustrations by Tom Nick Cocotos
Check the CatalogTwo Truths and a Lie : It's Alive! by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
Check the CatalogMaterials:
Books (see above)
Laptop/projector/iPads to show library resources and databases
Blank newsprint
Markers
Stamps & ink pads
News reporter costumes (optional)
City backdrop (optional)
Microphones props
Instant or digital cameras
Answer to the “two truths and a lie" game above:
A. The ancient Romans used urine as mouthwash Disgusting, but true!
B.Baby tigers are born hairless and without stripesFalse
C. Tiny creatures known as book scorpions live in the pages of old books They're real, look!
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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