How to address violence in the news with your students.
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Best News Websites for Students
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Kid Scoop
News magazine features standards-aligned activity packs for kids
Bottom line: The print version of the magazine, or a printed-out digital version, offers a nice -- if rather typical -- collection of activities.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Paid
Time for Kids
News magazine for kids can drive current events conversation
Bottom line: While some articles lack differentiation, and lessons don't always stretch higher-order thinking skills, this site is one of the best options for bringing current events into elementary classrooms.
Grades: K–6
Price: $4.50-$4.95 per student
Smithsonian: TweenTribune
News site features human interest articles with useful classroom tools
Bottom line: This is a helpful and well-designed supplemental resource for reading development, but not necessarily a go-to news site.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
KidsPost
Kid-centric news site could use more comprehensive, timely content
Bottom line: While it doesn't provide complete news updates, analysis, or writing practice, KidsPost content makes for interesting, kid-themed reading assignments.
Grades: 2–7
Price: $10/four weeks for basic; $15/four weeks for premium
Newsela
Great stories, just-right leveled reading; now mostly by subscription
Bottom line: Up-to-date, high-interest articles will meet students right at their level, and help teachers bolster students' nonfiction reading skills.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid
Scholastic Kids Press
Catch up on current events with the help of student journalists
Bottom line: This is a simple and solid news site which, by focusing on the student-created stories, could inspire an interest in journalism.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free
The Juice
Daily news matches reading level, supports diving into current events
Bottom line: These sortable collections of news stories, infographics, and videos can provide a daily dose of current events.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free to try
Science News for Students
Cool STEM articles with learning supports make for fun, informative reading
Bottom line: Free, fascinating articles make science relevant to students.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free
AllSides for Schools
Civics site offers building blocks for meaningful dialogue
Bottom line: This site meaningfully promotes dialogue rather than argument, and collects a lot of resources you might normally have to curate yourself.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Google News
News site offers a useful platform for research, critical thinking
Bottom line: With some cautious supervision and adept guidance from teachers, this is a good tool for seeking, reading, and evaluating stories from multiple sources.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
KQED Education
Excellent multimedia learning hub supports both teachers and students
Bottom line: For those willing to dig around, the site is an exceptional place for both educators and students to find inspirational digital media resources.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
PBS NewsHour Extra
Trusted news brand's current events site could pique teens' interest
Bottom line: This isn't going to necessarily excite students, but the high-quality content is credible and timely and should support interesting discussions.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Time Edge
Digital news source builds literacy and measures progress
Bottom line: A top-notch digital news source with interactive features; a good tool to add value as students learn critical-thinking and close-reading skills.
Grades: 7–8
Price: Free to try, Paid
The Learning Network
High-powered news site offers daily resource to process current events
Bottom line: Driven by a trusted news organization with its finger on the pulse of the world, this free resource can be a reliable source of activities and ideas for current event discussions.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
YourCommonwealth
Engage with passionate international perspectives from youth
Bottom line: Offers a rich variety of news and opinion stories on global issues, and its young writers will get U.S. students hooked on civic engagement.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
YR Media
Dynamic site harnesses creative young talent to speak truth to power
Bottom line: This fresh and socially aware website will draw students in with catchy -- often controversial -- topics, but keep them there with quality content.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free
