Getting Informed

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Everyone has an opinion.

Having an opinion is easy and natural, but developing an informed opinion is much more challenging.

Hearing or voicing an uninformed opinion may be irritating or embarrassing when discussing sports or some distant event. For a democracy, uninformed opinions about important issues can be disastrous.

Check out this Jimmy Kimmel Live video showing how funny it can be when people are not properly informed.

Reflect on the video and answer the following questions.

• Why was the video entitled "Six of One"?
• Why do you think they reacted differently to the two labels?
• Judging by their responses, what do you think are their main sources of information?
• How could they have better informed themselves about this issue?

Do not be too judgmental. Many people are not as informed as they think they are.

Challenge yourself with a Student News Quiz. Select the most recent weekly quiz and give it a try!

• How did you do?

Ask a family member or classmate to take the quiz and compare your results.

Try to locate recent news stories to clarify any events you missed. Then reflect and discuss these questions.

• Where did you find the information to clarify the right answers?
• Why didn't you know enough to get all the questions right?
• What difference does it make if you are informed about these issues?

Continue to the Got It? section to examine some contemporary issues.