Teaching Kids Current Events
How Timelines Can Be Used in Today's News Topics
Teaching kids current events is very important in keeping them up-to-date on the world around them. See how timelines can make today's news more meaningful.
Timelines are a very effective tool when teaching current events to your children. They give a way to compare and contrast events that are happening now against things that have happened in the past. This, in turn, gives children the opportunity to see how things progress over time.
Talking About War
For instance, take a look at wartime. When talking with students about the war with Iraq that emerged in 2003, you may speak of the weapons being used, such as gunships, "smart bombs," aircraft, and missiles. You can compare this to the civil war when weapons were gunpowder and canons. This helps kids see the progression of technology over time as it relates to weapons in war.
Inventions Have Come A Long Way
Other benefits kids can receive from using history timelines includes showing a progression of inventions that we use today compared to what was used in history over time. For instance, because of the invention of the telephone back in the 1870s, others inventors were able to come to see the possibility of a cordless phone, and then a cell phone. Timelines can show children how some of the newer inventions are really just original inventions made better.
A World of Problems
Timelines can also explain why we have some of the problems in the world today that we face. For example, when teaching children about the rising population in America due to Mexican immigrants, it is helpful for students to see what the population was over a steady period of time to see the actual gradual incline. A population timeline is a great springboard for a discussion about legal versus illegal immigration. In turn, your kids will have sufficient information to come up with ways to reduce illegal immigration and get their thoughts on how they would solve this problem.
Summary
As you can see, timelines are greatly related to current events. They give students the big picture into why some things are happening in our world today. Being creative with ways to teach current events will keep kids interested in learning about news. If you provide a way that makes learning enjoyable, they will not consider news a boring subject, but a fruitful and meaningful aspect of their life. Of course, you must use your best judgment when deciding what news is appropriate for your children to watch or hear.
Suggested Assignment
Use the Inventions Timeline below to help with this assignment. Have your child pick one invention from the list and track its progression over time. As mentioned above, the telephone gave way to the invention of cell phones that we use today. Use the Internet and the library for information.
