The media and a moment in history
TKI Hot Topic for 13 September 2001
This Hot Topic relates to the recent catastrophic current events in the
Eastern United States which have dominated the headlines around the world
and attracted 24-hour television coverage. The Hot Topic provides some links
on the role of the media in current events, disasters, and on the history
of the US, for classes exploring this event.
On 11 September 2001, as people in the Eastern United States made their
way to work, four planes were hijacked. Two crashed into the World Trade
Center in Manhattan, downtown New York. One crashed into the Pentagon,
and one crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
The impact of these four events has caused reverberations around the
world. The death toll is as yet unknown as rescue efforts continue, but
it is estimated to reach into the thousands. The consequences are still
being debated and discussed.
The twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed, and the Pentagon
and White House were evacuated.
As rescue workers sift through rubble looking for survivors, the US stock
market has suspended trading, and Wall Street, the heart of the financial
world, has ground to a standstill.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contact number for New Zealanders concerned
about relatives in the lower Manhattan area is 0800 872 111.
Resources on TKI
New York Times
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September
2001, the New York Times brings us this Daily Lesson Plan, Reaching
Out, in which students reflect on the attacks, explore the needs of
the cities and citizens of New York City and Washington, D.C., and develop
an action plan for a community service outreach project (www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20010913thursday.html)
News media
New Zealand Herald Online
This site includes New Zealand and world news, business, sport, technology
and travel news, and news cartoons (www.nzherald.co.nz).
New York Times lesson
plans
The New York Times provides lesson plans, where students compose expository
essays reflecting on how to obtain accurate, unbiased, and credible information
about international news events (www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html).
Guardian Unlimited
This website provides online access to the Guardian and Observer newspapers
in the U.K. including the archive section. It contains background material
for current issues and values exploration in particular. The Education
section contains relevant information for schools and professional development
(www.guardianunlimited.co.uk).
CNN In-Depth
The Cable News Network (CNN) In-Depth website takes a deeper look at some
of the current news stories and issues, and provides background information,
people profiles, timelines, video footage and archives (www.cnn.com).
BBC
The BBC education website has many resources of interest across the curriculum.
It includes online interactive challenges, current events, and links to
other curriculum areas (www.bbc.co.uk/education/home).
Media Awareness Network
This Canadian website encourages critical thinking about media information,
media entertainment, communications technologies, and the power of the
media. It provides information on how to manage television, surveys of
Internet and television use, suggestions for privacy, teaching units,
student handouts, downloadable games, and student activities (www.media-awareness.ca).
It was reviewed on TKI (www.tki.org.nz/r/evaluation/media_e.php).
Journalism
This collection of websites about the news media and journalism provides
links to sites about reporting and news organisations, offline and online,
including newspapers, television stations, and radio in New Zealand and
worldwide (www.tki.org.nz/r/hot_topics/journalism_e.php).
Current Events
Awareness
This Hot Topic is a round-up of Internet materials that focus on current
events, with an emphasis on news sites created especially for teachers
and students. It includes a section on media criticism (www.tki.org.nz/r/hot_topics/current_e.php).
Newspapers in Education
This Webguide is a collection of websites with news and current events
provided by newspapers for New Zealand and international classroom use.
It includes activities and resources for teachers and learners based on
the news, and websites with general news from New Zealand and the world
(www.edgazette.govt.nz/webguide/78_6).
Disasters
Disaster Zones
This Webguide provides a collection of websites looking at the effects
of natural disasters, war, and civil strife on people, particularly children.
It includes information on how people cope and what international bodies
are doing to help ensure recovery and future prevention (www.edgazette.govt.nz/webguide/79_5/).
History of the US
A Biography
of America
This site contains notes to support a 26-episode television programme
on the history of America. It includes information about English settlement,
independence, slavery, the Civil War, the Depression and World War II,
and provides some interactive features. It links to sites with material
related to the topics of the programme (www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/index.html).
A
to Z History
This A to Z history encylopaedia presents articles covering United States
history, world history and ancient history. It also includes maps and
photographs (http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozhistory).
Curriculum links on TKI
Social Studies in the New Zealand Curriculum (www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/index_e.php)
and English in the Zealand Curriculum (www.tki.org.nz/r/language/curriculum/toc_e.php).
Please note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please let us know if you find anything inappropriate, if you find a broken link, or if you have an update for a link by emailing links@tki.org.nz. Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to before using them with students.
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