Spotting Fake News

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Objective

I can evaluate the credibility of sources to distinguish between factual reporting and fake news.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

John Spencer · 2:56

We don't generate video — this one is by John Spencer on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    The 5 C's of critical consuming can help students identify fake news; these include context, credibility, construction, corroboration, and compare.

  2. 2

    When evaluating context, students should consider when the article was written, where it comes from, and whether any new information has emerged that could change their perspective.

  3. 3

    To check credibility, students should determine if the source has a reputation for journalistic integrity, if the author cites credible sources, and if the source is satirical or an advertisement.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

11 questions

1

According to the video, what is one of the significant challenges in the digital age regarding information?

2

What percentage of high school students, according to the Stanford study mentioned in the video, could accurately identify a real news story when presented with a fake one?

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Explain how you would use the 5 C's of critical consuming (Context, Credibility, Construction, Corroboration, Compare) to determine if a news article about a new scientific discovery is factual or fake.

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

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