8th Grade Current Events Assignment
The weekly project for the 2nd marking period will be a current events assignment. Each
week, 3 students will present a meaningful current event to the class. Each student will
be required to present 1-2 times during the marking period. For this assignment, you will
create a 1 page report about your current event and you will come up with some activity
that will get the class involved. Presentations will generally take place every Friday.
Requirements for the written portion
1.) Get your topic approved by me the Monday before you present. Failure to gain
approval that Monday will result in a loss of points.
2.) Construct a 1 page (or more) paper about your topic.
3.) The paper needs to be written in Word’s default setting (1 inch margins), 12 point
Times New Roman Font, and double spaced.
4.) The paper should include 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph should be an opening
where you briefly summarize your article, one paragraph which discusses the importance
of the topic, one paragraph that discusses the event’s impact on both the U.S. and the
world, one paragraph which discusses how this event affects you or your family, and a
conclusion paragraph where you summarize your main points and the significance of the
event.
5.) At the top of your page include your name and the title of the article and nothing
more. For example:
Mr. Kirk
The Iraq War
6.) Indent your paragraphs. Spelling, grammar, and conventions count. Also, attach your
article to your paper.
Requirements for the class activity:
1.) You will make a 10 minute presentation
2.) You will give a brief (1-2 minute summary of your article).
3.) After your summary, you will have the class engage in some kind of activity that
extends learning in relation to your current event (extend their understanding of the issues
and ethical principals surrounding the event not JUST the event itself). For example, you
can have them work in groups to discuss the impact of the event and come up with a
solution, you can have them debate your issue with one another, you could have them
create something that extends their learning of the issues involved with your topic, you
can create a Smart Board activity that engages the class, or any other creative activity you
can think of. Essentially, you are becoming a teacher for this activity and teaching your
event and the ethical, moral, and social aspects relating to that event to the class
*Note* This part of the assignment is not merely a summary and review of your current
event. This means, you should not just ask students summarizing questions. You need to
extend and enhance their learning in regards to your event.
The more creative your activity, the better your grade will be. Although you can have
them fill out a worksheet or answer some questions, this is not very creative. Think of
ways to either enhance these activities or come up with more creative ideas.
Current Events Rubric
10-9 Points
Paper is correct
length. All
paragraphs
contain
required
information.
Analytical and
critical
thinking are
extremely
evident. Paper
is extremely
creative and
thought
provoking. No
mistakes in
regards to
grammar or
conventions.
Article
attached.
10-9 Points
Presentation is
required
length.
Presenter takes
presentation
very seriously.
It is extremely
apparent
presenter
prepared for
presentation.
Presenter does
not read from
paper or card.
Class is
engaged and
activity is
extremely
creative. Class
understands the
event.
8-7 Points.
Paper is correct
length. All
paragraphs
contain
required
information.
Analytical and
critical
thinking are
evident in
regards to
some
questions.
Paper is
creative and
provokes some
thought from
the reader. No
more than 2
grammatical or
convention
errors. Article
attached.
8-7 Points
Presentation is
8-9 minutes in
length.
Presenter takes
presentation
seriously for
the most part.
It is apparent
presenter
prepared for
presentation.
Presenter does
not read from
paper or card
for the most
part. Class is
engaged but
activity is not
extremely
creative. Class
understands the
event
somewhat.
6-5 Points
Paper is not at
least 1 page in
length. 1
paragraph
requirement is
not present or
not fully
explored.
Analytical and
critical
thinking are
lacking. Paper
is somewhat
creative and
provokes a
little thought
from the
reader. No
more than 4
grammatical or
convention
errors. Article
not attached
6-5 Points
Presentation is
6-7 minutes
long. Presenter
does not take
some of
presentation
seriously. It is
not very
apparent
presenter
prepared for
presentation.
Presenter reads
from paper or
card for much
of the
presentation.
Class is not
fully engaged
and/or activity
is not
extremely
creative. Some
class members
are confused
about event.
4-3 Points
Paper is shorter
than a page. 2
paragraph
requirements
are not present
or not fully
explored.
Analytical and
critical
thinking are
not very
evident. Paper
lacks creativity
and provokes
no real
thinking from
the reader. No
more than 6
grammatical or
convention
errors. Article
not attached.
2-1 Points
Paper is shorter
than a page. 3
paragraph
requirements
are not present
or not fully
explored.
Analytical and
critical
thinking are
not evident.
Paper is not
creative and
provokes no
deep thinking
from the
reader. More
than 6
grammatical or
convention
errors. Article
not attached.
0 Points
Paper was not
attempted or is
missing the
majority of
elements.
4-3 Points
Presentation is
4-5 minutes in
length.
Presenter does
not take most
of presentation
seriously. It is
not apparent
that presenter
prepared for
presentation.
Presenter reads
from paper or
card for most
of the
presentation.
Class
engagement is
lacking.
Activity is not
very creative.
Many students
seem to not
understand the
event.
2-1 Points
Presentation is
2-3 minutes in
length.
Presenter does
not take
presentation
seriously.
Presenter is not
prepared for
presentation.
Presenter reads
from card or
paper for
whole
presentation.
Class is not
engaged and
does not
understand the
event. Activity
is not creative.
0 Points
Presentation is
less than 3
minutes in
length or
presenter did
not include the
majority of
requirements in
his/her
presentation.