NovaNEWS is an international current events forum that gives students the opportunity to discuss a variety of issues on a supervised bulletin board. This collaborative learning environment enhances students' critical reading and thinking skills by encouraging them to analyze, discuss, and debate recent events in the world of politics, national and foreign affairs, economics, the environment, and even entertainment. It also improves the students' ability to express themselves through the written word by prompting them to write responses to a variety of thought-provoking questions.

Each of the articles selected for NovaNEWS is followed by a series of questions designed to promote critical thinking about challenging issues of the day.

This month's edition is titled "Tsunami Hits Japan." It includes articles that address the key issues surrounding the massive damage in northeastern Japan that was caused by the recent tsunami. The tsunami was the direct result of an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean on March 11, 2011. Students learn about the tsunami's destruction, including the crisis that emerged when huge, powerful waves damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Students explore these key issues and then draw their own conclusions.

The article "Survivors Struggle to Count Casualties" provides an early assessment of the damage caused by the tsunami. In particular, the article focuses on Yamada, a coastal town that was severely affected by the tsunami. The article discusses the challenges that survivors face and explains why it has been difficult to estimate the number of dead and missing people.

The article "Safety Risks Were Played Down, Says Expert" explores the crisis that has emerged from radioactive leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The article discusses concerns that were raised by seismologists over the plant's design and how some people have criticized the Tokyo Electric Power Company for failing to respond to these concerns prior to the disaster.
And finally, the article "Spinach Ban Extended Amid Radiation Fears" investigates the possible effects that Fukushima's radioactive leak may have on Japanese agriculture. The article discusses the measures the government has taken to test food products and how the Japanese economy may be affected by declining food exports.

NovaNEWS resides as a lesson in every social studies alignment, as well as in the Additional Areas folder under Student Forums in the All Curricula location. NovaNEWS can be assigned alone or as part of a course. As with NovaKEYS, you might want to make NovaNEWS an initial assignment for your students. Once NovaNEWS is assigned, it is always available to students.