These Interactive Lessons Make News Literacy Click for Students

In a world where misinformation, viral stories, and AI-generated content are prevalent, educating students on news literacy has become crucial yet challenging. Enter Checkology® from the News Literacy Project, an innovative digital platform designed to teach students how to assess information, comprehend algorithms, and think critically without prescribing opinions.

Checkology offers a comprehensive suite of interactive lessons, real-world videos, posters, quizzes, and classroom slides, making the concept of news literacy accessible and engaging for students. We invited Amy Brownlee, a middle school reading teacher and librarian from Kansas, to explore Checkology with her students and share her insights from the classroom.

Below is her Teacher Picks review, highlighting why she considers Checkology an effective, low-prep resource for equipping students with vital life skills.

For which grade levels and subject areas do you think Checkology is best suited? 

Checkology is best suited for students in grade 6 and above, fitting seamlessly into social studies, English Language Arts (ELA), journalism, and library media classes.

Does Checkology align with any specific standards or curriculum guidelines that you know of?

Checkology resources are instrumental in fostering critical thinking and information evaluation skills among students. Here are a few Common Core ELA standards addressed through Checkology lessons:

Reading Standards (Informational Text)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text; assess whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient.

Writing Standards (Research & Sources)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source.

Speaking & Listening Standards

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.2: Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and evaluate motives (e.g., social, commercial, political).

How did you use Checkology in your classroom?

I implemented the InfoZones activities with my 6th-grade students. This unit covers the definitions of terms such as news, advertising, opinion, propaganda, entertainment, and raw information. The lesson includes a definition anchor chart and a flowchart to guide students in identifying the type of information each example represents.

How did your students react to the lesson?

The students thoroughly enjoyed the interactive features in Checkology and responded positively to the realistic examples of advertisements and social media posts. They were captivated by the videos, often wanting to watch them repeatedly. Some students even requested to use Checkology during their free time, highlighting the engaging nature of the content.

How would you sum up your overall experience with Checkology? 

My experience with Checkology was highly positive, thanks to its high-quality, low-prep, and student-engaging resources. Teaching students to discern the purpose and credibility of online information is essential, and Checkology excels in imparting this critical skill.

It was eye-opening to discover how many students struggled to identify advertisements, underscoring the need for comprehensive news literacy education.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = very difficult, 5 = very easy), how easy was it to use Checkology in your classroom and/or lesson? Why did you give it that rating? 

I would rate Checkology a 5 out of 5 for ease of use in my classroom. The lesson plans are comprehensive, including all necessary components for immediate implementation. Checkology also offers pre-constructed units that can be assigned in full or tailored to specific needs.

What were the top two features you liked most about Checkology?

I was particularly impressed by the detailed, ready-to-use lesson plans and the interactive activities, which can be utilized by students individually on their devices or as a group through screen projection.

Checkology stands out by incorporating authentic videos, advertisements, articles, and social media posts, which immediately capture students’ attention. The examples are current and resonate with students, making the learning experience more engaging.

Unlike other resources that may overwhelm students with text, Checkology’s interactive nature keeps them focused and interested.

How will Checkology save you time or make teaching easier?

Checkology provides all necessary components for lessons, delivering high-quality materials that require zero preparation. The platform’s single sign-on feature simplifies student access, allowing them to log in using Google, Microsoft, or Clever credentials.

How do you plan to use Checkology again in the future? 

I definitely plan to continue utilizing the InfoZones lessons and the Practicing Quality Journalism activity with students. Both are highly engaging and adhere to important educational standards.

Watch Amy’s review of Checkology below:

They reinforce the skills students practice in Checkology and provide an easy, visual way to keep news literacy, source evaluation, and critical thinking front and center all year long.

Teacher Picks is a sponsored program available from We Are Teachers. All opinions shared in the review are honest and based on the teacher’s direct experience. To learn more about our guidelines and review process, click here.