The Politics of Gun Ownership, School Shootings, and Active Shooter Drills in the USA
English language focus: Oral language, paper/digital writing
Gun ownership, the heart of the Second Amendment in the US Constitution, is politically divisive as opposing political parties disagree on measures to protect gun rights and control gun ownership. This session will share information about gun-related issues and provide insight into training requirements for students, teachers, and school staff. Students will review and discuss opposing viewpoints for gun control, guns in schools, and active shooter drills in America. In small groups, the students will create paper or digital, political posters.
This interactive workshop can be adapted for 45, 60, or 90-minute classes. Computers are needed if digital posters are created.
Politics and News in America: Reporting or Manipulating?
English language focus: Paper/digital reading and writing, oral language skills
Today, news channels are businesses that rely on ratings, advertisements, and engaging stories. As a result, the lines between information and entertainment have become blurred. This workshop will present driving questions such as:
– Where do we seek out information?
– How do we consume news critically?
– How do we fact check for media bias?
Students in this workshop will compare and contrast opposing perspectives on events presented by news media and discuss the role of media bias in the polarized politics of America today. They will also learn about strategies needed to critically evaluate news reports and consume online information. Students will work together to create a print or digital infographic highlighting media bias in the USA.
This interactive workshop can be adapted for 60 or 90-minute classes. Computers are recommended for this workshop, but this can be modified for schools with limited internet access.
Minnesota Nice: How Scandinavian Immigration Influenced the State’s Identity
English language focus: oral language, paper/digital writing
Students will explore events and demographic changes in Norway in the mid-1800’s and investigate how immigration to America impacted the people of Norway and the state of Minnesota. Participants will also evaluate how Scandinavians shaped Minnesota’s identity and how they continue to influence the state’s culture to this day. I will share images from rural Minnesota and the family traditions that have been passed down from my Norwegian great-great grandparents. Students will work together to create a travel brochure encouraging Minnesotans to visit Norway.This interactive workshop can be adapted for 45, 60, or 90-minute classes.
Book Bans and the Politics of Literacy in America
English language focus: oral language, writing
Book bans in the US have increased dramatically, with most bans focused on issues related to race, gender identity, and sexuality, all significant topics in American politics today. This presentation will explore the arguments for and against book bans and their connection to the First Amendment right to free speech. Participants will explore where and why books are being banned and how students, teachers, librarians, and educators are affected by and are responding to the bans. Students will work together on a creative writing activity that advocates for or against book bans.
This interactive workshop can be adapted for 60 or 90-minute classes.
The Merchants of Cool: Marketing to Teens in America
English language focus: oral language, digital skills
American marketing has portrayed teenagers as independent, mature consumers able to make their own informed choices. However, this marketing leaves young adults susceptible to unhealthy messages about relationships, body image, and sexuality. Sponsoring media influencers’ promotion of products has also instigated self-commodification, by encouraging youth to become representatives of products that provide some kind of monetary or product compensation. Participants will share what they have seen or notice in American marketing practices, comparing that to have in Norway, perusing for universal themes and unique differences. They will work collaboratively to create an advertisement promoting a US product.
This interactive workshop can be adapted for 45, 60, or 90 minutes. Computers are recommended for this workshop, but this can be modified for schools with limited internet access. Student phones may also be helpful for certain portions of the workshop, if allowed by the school.
Picture This: Using Picture Books as Platforms for Rich Discussion & Learning
English language focus: oral language, digital reading and writing
Picture books are not just for primary grades; they can serve as a powerful tool to introduce complex ideas and address difficult topics in non-threatening ways. Picture books also make challenging concepts, texts, and topics accessible for students learning the school’s language or for students who struggle reading dense texts independently. This session will use picture books as a platform to guide students’ learning of US history and current issues. Classroom teachers will be provided a list of texts from which to choose, and the topics include slavery, immigration, racial discrimination, tribal sovereignty, Native American legends, and contemporary life. At the conclusion of the presentation, teachers will be provided with links to recordings of the picture book read-alouds for future use in their classrooms.
Students will work collaboratively in Padlet to investigate and write about topics, events, and themes related to the lesson’s picture book.
This interactive workshop can be adapted for 45, 60, or 90 minutes. Computers are recommended for this workshop, but this can be modified for schools with limited internet access.
Worry-Free Writing in All Content Areas
English language focus: oral language, paper/digital writing
Writing can be used in all subject areas, including math, science, art, history, and economics. This workshop will explore activities that encourage reading, writing, speaking, and listening in all classroom settings, no matter what students’ writing proficiency level may be. We will also engage in discussion as a pre-writing strategy and collaboration as a writing strategy. This is not a presentation on grammar or editing, it is instead focused on positive writing activities that encourage student engagement and motivation to write.
Images from current events in the US will be used to encourage descriptive and poetic writing. In addition, the teacher may select one of two wordless picture books for a collaborative writing activity:
– Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad (topic: slavery)
– Tuesday (contemporary story, humor)
Active session. Participants will be working in collaborative pairs/groups. 60-90 minutes. Students will need materials for writing. Computers are recommended for online sharing of work but are not required.
Rave Reviews for Readers’ Theater!
English language focus: oral language, paper/digital writing
My summer Literacy Academy students, in all five summers, noted that Readers’ Theater was their favorite literacy activity. This hands-on workshop will engage students in reading, writing, creative thinking, and communication using a semi-structured Readers’ Theater format. Students will collaboratively reada readers’ theater script and perform it in front of another group. The workshop will conclude with a written summary or creative comic strip that includes historical information learned from the readers’ theater activity.
Teachers should select one script for the workshop:
– Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale
– The Hidden One: A Native American Legend
– The Blizzard of 1920
– Lady Liberty
Active session. Participants will be working in collaborative groups. 90 minutes.
Return to Kathrina’s Biography and Contact Information
Kathrina’s Workshops for Ungdomsskole Teachers and Teachers-in-Training