Using NewsHour Extra Feature Stories

Overview: NewsHour Extra features stories can help students identify and interpret key issues in current events. This activity anticipates one class period, but the follow-up essay might be assigned as homework, or in another period.

Warm Up: Use initiating questions to introduce the topic and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Have students read NewsHour Extra's feature story and answer the questions on the reading comprehension handout.

Discussion: Use discussion questions to encourage students to think about how the issues outlined in the story affect their lives and express and debate different opinions.

Follow-up: Students can write an 500-word editorial on the topic expressing their views and send it to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org] for possible publication.

Evaluation: Students are graded on their answers to reading comprehension questions and/or their editorial.

Story: President Bush to Visit Five African Nations, 7/2/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/africa_7-2.html

Initiating Questions:

1. What is your view of life in Africa?

2. What stories about African countries have you seen or read in the news recently?

Reading Comprehension Questions: (click here for printout)

1. How many times has President Bush visited Africa in his role as President?

In his first official trip to the continent, President George Bush will travel to Africa on Monday to promote economic development and a new plan for fighting terrorism in African countries.

2. In what ways has terrorism affected some African countries?

Terrorists have sought refuge in some African countries, made vulnerable by economic troubles and political unrest. The continent has also seen a series of deadly terrorist attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets that have killed hundreds of Africans.

In 1998, terrorists simultaneously bombed U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 people. Last year, terrorists bombed an Israeli-owned hotel in Nairobi. The attack resulted in the deaths of sixteen people.

3. What countries will President Bush visit during his trip to Africa?

The president's trip will take him to Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Botswana. He will meet with leaders of those countries to discuss security, economic development, AIDS and regional conflicts.

4. Has President Bush committed troops to the conflicts in Liberia and Congo?

While President Bush has expressed interest in exploring ways to stop fighting in Congo and Liberia, he has yet to agree to commit peacekeeping troops to either country.

5. What will be President Bush' first stop on his trip to Africa? Why is this place important?

The president's trip will begin in Senegal's Goree Islands, a former slave-trading outpost visited by President Bill Clinton five years ago. The outpost housed Africans before they were brought to the U.S. during slavery.

 

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

Research one of the countries that President Bush will visit during his trip to Africa? In a short essay, discuss that country's successes and its problems. Include what you think life might be like in that country for someone your age. Present your essay in a class discussion.