Young journalists use four strategies from an "Am I Being Fair?" tip sheet to check for and counter personal biases about a topic. Scholars apply the strategies to an article about the best pizza as guided practice. Participants then apply the strategies to the controversies over the Pokemon Go craze or National Walkout Day.

Concepts

bias, opinions, fairness, critical thinking, primary sources, primary source analysis, controversial topics

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Instructional Ideas

• Enlarge, color print, and display the "Am I Being Fair?" graphic
• Before introducing the strategies, have the class vote on what they consider to be the world's best pizza

Classroom Considerations

• Requires individual copies of the "Pizza Prejudice" and "Am I Being Fair?" worksheets
• Class members must have access to devices with internet

Pros

• The topics appeal to learners
• An extension activity asks individuals to select a current controversial topic and apply the strategies to ensure the summary they write about the topic is objective

Cons

• None

Common Core

CCRA.R.7