Research has shown that children today know less and care less about what's going on in
             the world than youngsters of previous generations. Teachers have the important task of gaining
             students' attention in the area of current events. So the question remains. What can be done
             to raise students' interest in and awareness of the stories making news headlines?
             Teachers need to be aware of the fact that the more exposure students have to newspapers
             and current events the more likely they are to be aware and interested in learning and reading
             about them. Including current events in the school curriculum can go a long way toward
             There are many activities that could enhance the use of current events in the classroom.
             One such activity would have students research a particular issue. On the board, list arguments
             on both sides of the issue. Then draw an imaginary line on the floor, one end representing "for"
             and the other "against" the issue at hand. Ask students to "take a stand," literally, on the line
             where they feel they belong. They can stand at either end or anywhere in between, depending on
             the strength of their beliefs. (In the unlikely event that all are on one side, play "devil's
             advocate" and stand on the other side.) When everyone is standing, open the floor to debate.
             Spokespersons for each side should argue their positions. The goal is to have some people move,
             closer to one point of view. At the end, people can be standing anywhere but in the "undecided"
             Another activity that promotes the use of current events in the classroom is a recipe for
             keeping old newspaper clippings from turning yellow. Dissolve a milk of magnesia tablet in a
             quart of water, and let it stand overnight. Pour the mixture into a flat baking pan large enough to
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