The NSDL Middle School Portal has started a new blog called “Connecting News With National Science Education Standards” to encourage teachers to use current events as teaching opportunities. Every Thursday, MSP staff will link a current news article to related teaching resources that connect specific content standards to that event.  The first post, which went up as the new school year began, took off from an ABC News story on how genetics determines height.

Kim Lightle, PI of the Middle School Portal, says that articles in the new blog may be appropriate for students to read directly, or they may serve as background knowledge for teachers and inspiration for subsequent instructional activities. The related middle level, grades 5-8 content standards of the National Science Contact Standards will be included along with links to additional information such as lessons, reference articles, and definitions. Teachers are encouraged to save the links if the weekly blog topic is not immediately relevant to their current lesson topics.  Check it out here.