Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup May 14 – 20
Good afternoon,
Happy Tuesday! The warm weather this week is definitely one thing to be looking forward to. Another thing is the end of the school year! I know you’ve all worked so hard this year and that you’re looking forward to summer break. But before you break and you have a few minutes to answer a quick survey we created about the educator services we provided this year, we would greatly appreciate it.
As the year is nearing a close, AP tests are on the horizon, and more, I know this time of year is hectic. But, if you have time, this is your last chance to schedule a workshop for this year! I’m currently looking to book 1-2 journalism and storytelling workshops for May and maybe early June. This workshop is a great opportunity to get students excited about Student Stories and will give them knowledge in storytelling so they can write a top-notch article. If this is something you are interested in, please feel free to email me at: eetai@lookoutlocal.com.
Current events to use in your classroom
Explore the linked lesson plans below for simple ways to facilitate reflection on these local events. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
LOCAL NEWS
Amid mounting vacancies, downtown Santa Cruz needed a coach, and a matchmaker
By Christopher Neely
Santa Cruz hired retail coach Charles Parker to address its mounting downtown vacancies issue. Described as a “matchmaker,” Parker is now leading the effort to pitch the city’s potential to businesses — aiming to turn empty storefronts into vibrant hubs amid shifting retail trends and increasing housing stock.
Local immigration advocates warn that Trump’s $1,000 self-deportation incentive sends misleading message
By Tania Ortiz
The Trump administration announced it will be offering undocumented immigrants $1,000 to voluntarily leave the United States. Local immigration lawyers say the new policy sends a misleading message and is just another strategy to increase deportations.
Proposed Medicaid changes could threaten care access for 80,000 in Santa Cruz County, health leaders warn
By Tania Ortiz
Plans by congressional Republicans to trim billions from Medicaid and introduce work requirements could destabilize hospitals and health clinics across South County and the Pajaro Valley, where nearly 80% of patients rely on Medi-Cal or Medicare programs.
It’s time for a pedestrian street in Santa Cruz: 95% say yes
By Ksenia Crow, Abe Downey, Jake Eschen, Kevin Norton
Santa Cruz needs a summertime pedestrian zone to enhance its reputation, improve safety and pull folks in, write four members of Pacific for People. The grassroots group is intent on seeing downtown become a more vibrant space, a goal city-dwellers have aspired to since the 1989 earthquake left downtown in rubble. At least 15 cities in California have already established permanent pedestrian streets, they write. It’s time for Santa Cruz to create its own weekend version.
CALIFORNIA NEWS
Congress might strip Californians of protections against AI in health care, hiring and much more
By Khari Johnson / CalMatters
House Republicans want to ban state regulations on artificial intelligence for 10 years. California leaders are alarmed.
Student Stories
Student Stories
Student Stories is a place for students to have their voices heard by the community and the rest of Santa Cruz County. It is designed to showcase stories, events, clubs, and opinions authored by students in Santa Cruz County. Students can either submit ideas or completed stories. Learn more here and reach out if you have any questions.
Here is our prompt for this quarter: “If you can make any change to your community/city, what would it be? What sort of changes would you make and what would you like to see done? Shoot for at least one realistic idea and at least one idea that you think isn’t as realistic but you would still like to see at some point.”
News Quiz
Interactive Map News Quiz
A news quiz that tests students’ ability to quickly read, analyze, and synthesize information from multiple articles. This aims to familiarize students with Santa Cruz County by using Lookout’s interactive story map. Students will be prompted to find stories indicated by icons on the map, read the articles, and answer a series of questions. I built this in a way to lean into SAT and AP style tests. Check out the new news quiz by clicking here.
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EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Current Event Discussion Guide
- Our current event discussion guide is a great activity to engage with local news and can be used for any article. Below is the lesson plan and the bilingual guide.
- Current Event Discussion Guide Lesson Plan (PDF)
- Bilingual Current Event Discussion Guide (PDF)
Educator Page
- You can find more resources on our Educator Page, including a media literacy guide, specific new quizzes and more.
Reminder on student access
- If any of your students are having trouble with their free access, have them sign up for their free student membership with their personal email address at this link.
Thank you for all the hard work you do in the community and for supporting our educational programs, helping the younger generations learn media literacy skills, and become invested community members and democratic citizens. If you’d like to learn more about our school programs, get more involved or have any questions, please reach out.
Best,
Eetai