Best Non-Fiction Book: 

General Information:

• Title: Fake News: Separating Truth from Fiction
• Author: Micheal Miller
• Publication Date: January 1st, 2019
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Description:

 The best non-fiction book I found that was written for our grade level (sixth grade) with our topic (social media safety) was Fake News: Separating Truth from Fiction by Micheal Miller. This book was written in the wake of President Trump’s election and his coinage of the term “fake news”. Since then fake news has shifted into mainstream focus (although fake news has been around for much longer than the last four years) and it is extremely important that people, including our students, know how to properly analyze media sites and their validity. Miller includes case studies to bring home the reality of the situation that he writes about, as well as talking about proper media practices done by professional journalists. Miller’s book is aimed towards middle school to high school students to help them become more critical researchers and media consumers in and outside of the classroom setting. In reading this students can learn why fake media exists such as propaganda, satire, conspiracy theories and opinion pieces. It is important to know the intention of the piece along with the piece’s own validity; through reading and interacting with Fake News: Separating Truth from Fiction, students can become competent digital citizens, helping to promote safety and reliable information on the web.

Core Integration:

In the future, I hope to teach social studies at the middle school level, so this topic and book have a ton of relevance to my future profession. As looking for reliable information and resources are an extremely important aspect to history and civics, it is critical that our students are equipped with the knowledge to find valid and reliable sources. I believe that this skill is applicable though multiple subjects such as science, English, and IT classes. I would integrate this when my class is about to start a research based project or inquiry, the class will read certain segments of the book Fake News: Separating Truth from Fiction or I will provide a time where I read to them specific passages as well. I would try to incorporate various quotes, skills and ideas present in the book around the classroom on the walls or use them while giving instruction. As I said I would have my students’ read segments of the book but not all of it, as I think that the responsibility of reading a whole book can actually take away from what we are trying to gain from the book. That is why I believe integrating this book though smaller, easy to digest, sections can help cement the skills I want my students to have when looking at fake news. 

NHES Standards for Non-Fiction Book:

Standard 2: Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviours. 

• PHW2.8.1 Analyze how relevant influences of media and technology affect personal health and wellness-related practices and behaviours.

• S2.8.8 Analyze how relevant influences of media and technology affect personal safety and injury prevention practices and behaviours. 

Standard 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products and services to enhance health. 

• PHW3.8.1 Analyze the validity and reliability to personal health and wellness information.

• PHW3.8.2 Analyze the validity and reliability to personal health and wellness products.

• PHW3.8.3 Analyze the validity and reliability to personal health and wellness services. 

• MEH3.8.1-3 Analyze the validity and reliability of mental and emotional health information/products/services.

• MEH3.8.6 Access valid and reliable mental and emotional health information from home, school or community. 

• S3.8.1 Analyze validity and reliability of social and injury prevention information. 

Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

PHW5.8.4 Explain how family, culture, media, peers and personal values affect personal health and wellness related decisions.