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July 5, 2022, 5:11 p.m.

Writer, activist and comedian Baratunde Thurston on ‘America Outdoors’

Summary

Take a sneak peek at a new PBS program, "America Outdoors," which is premiering on July 5. The six-part series is hosted by bestselling author and outdoor enthusiast Baratunde Thurston. Student Reporting Labs podcast host Zion Williams spoke with Thurston to learn more. For a transcript of this story, click here .

Five Facts

  • Who are some of the people Thurston met with in the program "America Outdoors"?
  • Where did they shoot the program? How did he choose locations for the show?
  • What lessons does he want viewers to take from the show?
  • What does Thurston think is important to relearn from indigenous nations?
  • How does Thurston recommend that young people take small steps to go out in nature?

Focus Questions

Thurston says that there are “practical, actual and metaphorical filters” around people when they are not outside. What are the filters in social media you are exposed to? What are the benefits of getting away from these filters and out into nature? How do you think we can encourage each other to step away from their social media filters and experience nature more? Media literacy: Why might the video creator choose to intersperse images of natural beauty among interview video footage?

For More

In the video, Thurston discusses his upcoming PBS program called “America Outdoors.” Watch the first episode and follow along with the series on the PBS website .
Ella Cohen, a rising junior at Washington-Liberty high school and intern at NewsHour Classroom, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Vic Pasquantonio. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning of the school year. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on today’s lesson.

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