Extra Extra Read All About It! Non-Fiction News Detectives: Reading & Discussion

🌏 News Reading & Discussion: Empowering Critical Thinkers 🌍
✅  Ages 9 - 12 (International/American age)
✅  ESL Level Necessary: Advanced / Fluent (B2 or higher)
⚠️  Age exemptions are not available for 7 or 8 year olds. For these younger ages, you are welcome to enrol in the 1-to-1 version of this class!  https://bit.ly/Megan1to1News
🌟  For Ages 11 - 14, check out my advanced news discussion class:  https://bit.ly/Megan_TDZ
🌟  Get $5 your first News class by using the coupon code MEGANNEWS5 (limit 1 coupon per family; expires 31/12/2025)

My name is Megan and I am an independent teacher. I am proud to offer my classes on the Outschool marketplace, and I look forward to meeting your learner!

🌏  Welcome News Detectives - I have some interesting news for you this week!   🌏 
⪼  Engaging Non-Fiction News Articles, Sample Article:  https://bit.ly/MeganNewsSample
⪼  Small Group! Maximum 5 students per class
⪼  Lexile Level: Each article is different, and the Lexile can vary between 900-1100 depending on the complexity of the topic
⪼  Complex Conversation and Challenging Vocabulary
⪼  Prefer a 1-to-1 class? Check out my Private News Class:  https://bit.ly/Megan1to1News

Upcoming Topics:
⪼  April 23 - 25:  Footballers May be Secret Geniuses
⪼  April 30 - May 2:  Mammoth Scientists Create Woolly Mice
⪼  May 7 - 9:  Fatbergs Turned into Perfume
⪼  May 14 - 16:  [Topic Coming Soon!]
⪼  May 21 - 23:  [Topic Coming Soon!]
⪼  May 28 - 30:  [Topic Coming Soon!]

Each week in class, learners will be introduced to the topic of our non-fiction article written in newspaper style. In class, we will:
⪼  discuss the key information
⪼  have class discussions about the news topic
⪼  review vocabulary
⪼  read the article together aloud
⪼  answer questions to develop understanding

2 days before class, learners will receive a PDF document of our reading text. This document does not need to be printed because I will share the screen in class, however it can be printed if that is your preference. After class, learners will receive an optional homework worksheet (with answers included) which can be used to review the article.

Our news reading and discussions will vary each week. Topics of news articles may include: sports, science, technology, culture, world news, environment, and more!

Intermediate and Advanced ESL learners (B2+) are welcome in this class! Your learner should be prepared to read aloud and speak during our conversation/discussion of the news article. It is recommended that ESL learners read and study the article before class.

★ ★ Why is "Frontloading" an excellent teaching strategy? ★ ★
In this class, I utilise a teaching strategy known as “frontloading” before we read the article together. This instructional strategy provides students with the necessary background knowledge, vocabulary, and context before starting a new lesson or topic. The goal of frontloading is to help students better understand new information by giving them a framework to build upon. Frontloading in my classes consists of providing materials in advance, conducting brainstorming through photographs and diagrams to activate prior knowledge, reviewing relevant concepts, and connecting vocabulary to relevant images. By frontloading, my students become more engaged in the learning process and improve their ability to retain new information. This instructional technique can also help students feel more confident and prepared for the lesson ahead, leading to more successful learning outcomes.

2025 Previous Class Topics:
⪼  Million-Year-Old Ice Could Solve Mystery
⪼  Robo-Pets Designed to Replace Dogs
⪼  New Super-Earth Could Host Life
⪼  ‘Micro-Forests’ Transform City Life
⪼  Race to Save World’s Dying Languages
⪼  Study Finds Small Dogs are Smarter Than Big Dogs

CLASS POLICIES
⪼  I offer several dates/times for this ongoing class each week. Each class section taught in a single week will be based on the same material.
⪼  Class will begin on time and I respectfully ask that learners arrive on time as well. 
⪼  Mute Button: Learners will be unmuted during class and will be able to ask questions and share their opinions. I only use the Mute Button in the event of excessive background noise or excessive distraction. Please ensure that your learner knows how to mute and unmute their microphone.
⪼  Chat Box: The Chat Box will not be open during class in order to limit distractions.
⪼  Class recordings are available for 7 days after each completed class.
⪼  Transfers: Transfer requests must be made with a minimum of 24 hours notice and must be within the same calendar week.
⪼  Cancellations: All Ongoing classes have a standard refund policy: "Cancel subscription at any point, no refund for past subscriptions. Payments can be refunded within 24 hours of purchase."