Lesson Plan: Understanding and Researching Current Events with CNN 10

CNN 10 is a daily news show for viewers who want to learn about current events and global issues in 10 minutes or less. We represent all sides of a story equally: no opinion; no slant; just the facts. And we have a little fun while doing it!

Objective:
Students will watch the May 29, 2025, episode of CNN 10, identify and summarize the main news stories, and conduct further research to deepen their understanding of the topics covered.

This Week on CNN10: We look at why the State Department just told embassies to pause new interview appointments for international student visas. Then, we tour a museum in Boston that fears it may not survive without its recently revoked federal funding. We’ll watch SpaceX’s most powerful rocket take off for a ninth time, before getting some words of wisdom from a childhood icon. All this and more on this week’s CNN10!

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction

  • Introduce CNN 10 as a daily news show designed for students, summarizing global events in a concise format.
  • Discuss the importance of staying informed about current events and developing research skills.

2. Viewing the News

3. Guided Note-Taking (During Viewing)

Students use a graphic organizer to jot down:

  • Main headlines/stories covered
  • Key facts or statistics mentioned
  • Any questions or points of curiosity

4. Group Discussion

In small groups, students compare notes and discuss:

  • What were the main stories?
  • Why might these stories be important globally or locally?
  • What questions do they have about the topics?

5. Research Activity

Each student selects one news story from the episode that interests them most.

Using reputable sources (suggested: NPR, PBS, Associated Press, or other teacher-approved outlets), students research:

  • Background and context of the story
  • Who is affected and how?
  • Why is this event significant?
  • Any updates or new developments since the CNN 10 episode aired.

6. Synthesis and Reflection

Students write a short summary (1-2 paragraphs) of their findings, including:

  • A summary of the original CNN 10 coverage
  • New information or insights gained from their research
  • Their personal reflection: Why does this story matter?

7. Sharing and Extension

  • Volunteers share their summaries and reflections with the class.
  • As an extension, students can create a headline and a visual (drawing, infographic, etc.) for their chosen story, citing their sources.

Assessment

  • Completion of the Graphic Organizer
  • Participation in group discussion
  • Research summary and reflection

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