Outschool
Log In

Extra Extra Read All About It! Non-Fiction News of the Day: Reading & Discussion

We'll have an engaging conversation about a non-fiction news article. We'll discuss the key information, vocabulary, and answer questions about the text. Topics may include: science, technology, environment, animals, sport, culture, & more!
Teacher Megan, MSc
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(382)
Class
Play

What's included

1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per week
Homework
1 hour per week. Optional: A 1-page document will be provided after each class with comprehension questions and tasks related to the article.

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 5
Advanced Level
🌏 News Reading & Discussion: Empowering Critical Thinkers 🌍
✅  Designed for Ages 9 & 10
✅  11 year olds are accepted
⚠️  Advanced 8 year olds may request an age range exemption (limited availability; 8 year old spaces currently sold out)
🛑  Age exemptions for 7 year olds strictly not available (international age)

📣 If you're using Outschool for the first time, you can use code →  HxRxXxhi  ← for a $20 credit toward any class!

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 to Megan's News Room - I have some interesting news for you this week!
◦ Interesting Non-Fiction News Articles, Sample Article - https://bit.ly/3IkVuYu
◦ Reading and Discussion Level - Ages 9-10
◦ ESL Welcome! Required Level -Advanced/Fluent
◦ Prefer a 1-to-1 class? Check out my Private News Class→ https://bit.ly/outschool_megan_news

Upcoming Topics:
⪼ August 28 - 30: ♦️ TEACHER HOLIDAY ♦️ No Classes
⪼ September 4 - 6: Fire-Breathing Robot Dog Hits the Shelves (Technology)
⪼ September 11 - 13: [Topic Coming Soon!]
⪼ September 18 - 20: [Topic Coming Soon!]

Upcoming Dates to Note:
⚠️ Daylight Saving Time Change: October 27th 2024 ⚠️
⪼ October 28 - November 1: ♦️ TEACHER HOLIDAY ♦️ No Classes
⪼ November 25 - 29: ♦️ TEACHER HOLIDAY ♦️ No Classes
⪼ December 16 - 20: Last classes of 2024 🎄 See you again in March 2025!

Each week in class, children 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, children 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, children will receive an optional worksheet which can be used to review the article.

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

Intermediate and Advanced ESL students are welcome in this class! Your child should be prepared to read aloud and speak during our conversation and discussion about the news article. It is recommended that ESL students 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 technique can also help students feel more confident and prepared for the lesson ahead, leading to more successful learning outcomes.

Previous Class Topics:
⪼  The Pro Gamer Who Plays Everything by Ear
⪼  Inventor’s Plan Turns Cow Burps into Diamonds
⪼  Scientist Calls for Warning on Processed Foods
⪼  Chess Prodigy Aged 9
⪼  Scientists Spy on Fish to Learn Their Secrets
⪼  Found! New Dinosaur with Fierce Blades
⪼  Polar Explorer’s Long Lost Shipwreck
⪼  'Ghostbusters' Gadget to Catch E-Bike Thieves
⪼  Wild Orangutan Seen Using Plant as Medicine
⪼  Great-Grandma Goes to Primary School
⪼  Robotic Octopus Super Suckers Coming Soon
⪼  Discovered! Ancient City Beneath the Amazon
⪼  How Elephants Grew Their Trunks
⪼  Space Junk Crashes to Earth
⪼  Olympic Torch Sets Sail
⪼  A City That Could Float on Water
⪼  New Roald Dahl Books in 2024
⪼  Found! Frog Smaller than your Fingernail
⪼  Scientists Discover Ancient Dolphin Skull
⪼  Volunteers to Pretend to go to Mars



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 children arrive on time as well. 
⪼  Mute Button: Children 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 child 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."
⪼  Thank you for taking the time to read my class description and policies! Use this coupon for $4 off your first class:  MeganClassInfo4

Other Details

Parental Guidance
UK Material: I live in the UK 🇬🇧 and this class uses articles written in British English.
Supply List
The weekly non-fiction article will be sent as a classroom post 2 days before each class. You may print the news article if you wish, however this is not required as the article will be displayed on the screen in our Outschool classroom.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2020
4.9
382reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree in Education from University of Strathclyde
Bachelor's Degree in Science from California Polytechnic State University
⭐️ 4 years on Outschool! ⭐️
⭐️ 1,350 students taught on Outschool! ⭐️ 

Hello! My name is Megan and I am originally from San Francisco, California. I now live in Scotland, UK! I have a Masters Degree in Education with Honours (MSc) from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. I began my teaching career in 2006 and I have taught both in California, USA and in Scotland, UK. I was also a Summer Camp Counsellor for 3 years during my Undergraduate studies at University and I love being outdoors exploring nature! 

As an elementary/primary school teacher for Grades K-6/Primary 1-7, my specialties include phonics and grammar, reading comprehension, math, and interdisciplinary topic exploration (the FUN learning!) I have also taught as an online ESL teacher (TEFL and TESOL Certified) and I ensure my classes are friendly, supportive, and engaging.

My home base is in Scotland, but I also travel to amazing places all over Europe and the Americas in my campervan as my "travelling classroom"! In my classes, we will laugh and learn together. I hope to see you soon!


Megan's Class Policies:
⪼  I live in the UK and so I use British English for my lessons and reading materials. The majority of my resources are written in British English. There is very little difference between American and British English. For example, in American: color, in British English: colour / in American: organize, in British English: organise.
⪼  I enter the classroom 4-6 minutes before class start time. This is to allow me to set up for the class. I admit learners from the waiting room at the start time of the class. If you arrive early, please wait in the waiting room until class start time.
⪼  I live in the London Time Zone and it may be that you live in a different time zone. This may mean that I cannot reply immediately to emails or messages. I will do my absolute best to reply to messages as quickly as possible within the daytime hours of the London Time Zone.
⪼  For the purposes of consistency and fairness, all standard Outschool refund policies will be followed.

Reviews

Live Group Class
Share

$12

weekly
1x per week
30 min

Completed by 470 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-10
2-5 learners per class

About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyTerms
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2024 Outschool