Resource Name: TweenTribune

URL: http://tweentribune.com

Uses: Construct Meaning, Read and Respond

Teacher Time Investment: IIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

   Student Learning Curve: IIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII   

Description: Tween Tribune is an online current events site featuring articles in a variety of categories (sports, fashion, entertainment, technology) written at three different reading levels for students. The site includes built-in basic assessments and critical thinking questions as well.

But I prefer to use it in a different manner. I allow students to self-select an article which they can they argue for or against. Not every article on that site lends itself to this,of course; some articles are simply interesting, cool, or surprising. But I believe that students need the opportunity in class to self-select when possible, as this will increase ownership in their work, and convey a greater sense of responsibility for the outcome. Completed paragraphs are entered into the comment section under the article to which they're addressed.

I provide students with (overly!) clear instructions as well as a model on my class site. We write the first response together so that students fully understand what's expected. From that point on, students complete two to three Tween Tribune responses each marking period.

Sample Applications for the Classroom:

• If you want students to debate a topic as a class (versus choosing their own for argumentation), then consider using the New York Times Room for Debate feature, an online portion of the NY Times site created specifically for older students. 
• Depending upon the discipline you teach, you'll find related articles here. It's a great way to supplement your text by showing students that your subject has relevance in the "real world." 
• If you're seeking a current events site which assesses reading comprehension in a more direct way, try NewsELA, which embed multiple choice questions with current event articles. The site offers both a free and paid option. The Learning Network at the New York Times is another highly recommended source for reading and writing assessment activities using current events. 

Notes and Caveats:

• Once students have mastered the basic format for an argumentative response, you can then demand that the craft of that writing improve. For help with this, checkout this post on Teaching Students to FLIRT. FLIRT is an acronym that reminds students to use sentence variety in their work. Another step forward is teaching students the importance of flow, which is a key trait needed in nonfiction texts if readers are to follow the writer's train of thought easily.
• I score these responses using ForAllRubrics. Yes, the site demands a bit of you the teacher in the way of a time investment at the beginning, but it's totally worth it. The responses definitely improved due to the detailed feedback I was able to share with students via ForAllRubrics. 

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