Tween Tribune or TTribune from Smithsonian is a free resource for digital news articles that are curated especially for students. Articles are available in multiple Lexile level versions each. Articles come with quizzes students can complete to check for understanding. News articles come from the Associated Press so there is a vast library of articles available which increases every day. TTribune also includes lesson plans and activities for teachers.
Here are some articles to get you started.
Social Studies: https://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/dakota-students-need-more-lady-gaga-graduate/
Science: https://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/how-magma-behaves-when-it-gets-gassed/
Math: https://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/nascar-coming-school-near-you-maybe-yours/
ELAR: https://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/judy-blume-speaks-about-her-career-and-what-it-means-write-banned-book/
Dogonews.com is another website that uses news and current events to engage students in reading. Dogo also incorporates books and ebooks with accompanying quizzes and student written reviews.
Here are some fascinating articles I found:
https://www.dogonews.com/2021/11/3/rare-tardigrade-fossil-found-trapped-in-amber
It doesn’t look like you get too much for free though. Unlike TTribune.
CNN10.com produces a very good daily student news program. Even if you typically don’t care for CNN this student news program does a good job of avoiding bias.
I always loved using CNN10 in class. Today’s news is tomorrow’s history. Here comes Carl Azuz and a segment of puns.
If you did discover some bias in a story, identifying and analyzing that bias would be a great and practical lesson.
ReadWorks offers thousands of reading passages that you can use to support your curriculum and incorporate cross curricular ideas. Reading passages come with adjustable question sets
Looks expensive for pro features but should have current events articles for free. After some difficult research it look like students can access current events articles but teachers can’t see their data or connect them to a class without a paid account. This is all via 3rd party websites though. I am least impressed with this option. Have you had great experiences with Newsela? Please let me know if you have.
