Checking a news claim

Module M4 sets the outcomes of evaluating reliability and of separating misinformation from fake news. The Pallas e-book records the Dutch government’s definition of media literacy: using media in a conscious, critical and active manner. In this task each group examines one claim with the classroom-tools checklist.

30 minutes · Classroom

Materials

Printed claim-check list (Classroom tools)
One headline, image or short text per group
A second printed or online source if available

Steps

1
Each group receives one claim: a headline, an image or a short text.
2
The group answers the checklist in order: who says this; when it was said; whether there is evidence; what another source says.
3
The group writes a decision: true, false, or not sure yet. If they are not sure, they note that they will not share it. The decision is handed in with the reason.

Inclusion

Use printed sources if there is no internet. If there is only one device, groups take turns. Read the list aloud if reading is hard.

At the end of the session

The sheet must show evidence, at least two sources and a clear decision. Uncertainty is written down, not hidden.

Home task

At home, one current headline is chosen with an adult. The same checklist is used; the decision returns to class in one sentence. No name is written.

Activity bank Classroom tools