Category: Current Event Connection

“Current Event Connection” posts will connect educators with news stories and relevant discussion ideas featuring content from the NG Education website.

Current Event Connection, Main

Monsoon Floods Kill Hundreds

WORLD Landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed nearly 300 people in large swaths of northern India and Pakistan, officials say. (Associated Press) Use our resources to learn more about monsoons. Discussion Ideas Read through our encyclopedic entry on monsoons. According to our entry, monsoons always blow from cooler to warmer regions. Where are the winds of southern Asia’s devastating monsoon … Continue reading Monsoon Floods Kill Hundreds

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Current Event Connection, Main

Swarming Disaster

ENVIRONMENT For the third year in a row, skies over Madagascar are black with millions of locusts—the insects of biblical fame that gobble up crops and ravage landscapes, mostly in countries where people barely get by. (NPR) Use our resources to better understand the “Lessons of a Cannibal Plague.” Thanks to Alli for the heads-up on this great current-event connection! This video, which describes Madagascar’s … Continue reading Swarming Disaster

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Recliner Rage

UNITED STATES Recently, an argument between airline passengers over reclining seats became so tense that the pilots of the fight diverted the Boeing 737 from Denver to Chicago. Days later, two other flights were diverted because of similar disagreements. (Associated Press) Use our activity “Defend Your Personal Territory” to learn about less drastic measures of conflict resolution. Discussion Ideas Read through our terrific twin activities … Continue reading Recliner Rage

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

What is ISIS?

WORLD Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), is responsible for the horrific beheadings of two American hostages. What is Islamic State, and what are its objectives? (BBC) Use our resources to learn more about conflict in Iraq. Discussion Questions The BBC article says that Islamic State is as dangerous as al-Qaeda, the terrorist group responsible for 9/11. What are similarities … Continue reading What is ISIS?

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Current Event Connection, Main

Hand-Harvesting is Hard Work

FOOD Mechanization has made the farming of many crops—lettuce and tomatoes among them—a lot less labor intensive. But some crops are still tended and harvested by hand, and it can be painstaking work. (NPR) Take a look through our new map layers on the world’s leading food crops. Discussion Ideas Read through the NPR article, then read the Background Info in our media spotlight on mapping … Continue reading Hand-Harvesting is Hard Work

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