Inventing Solutions to Cities Exploding Rat Populations
Ask students: What are some of the serious issues rats may cause? How are authorities in New York and DC dealing with their rat problem?
Summary
Rats, the furry nuisance that once was a sometimes issue, have become a bigger problem over the pandemic years. For a transcript of this story, click here (this is an abbreviated transcript; we are going to upload full transcript shortly).
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Warm Up Questions:
- In addition to rats, who are the individuals and groups featured in this story
- What are some of the serious issues rats may cause?
- Why do rat populations get out control?
- Where do rats pose considerable challenges?
- How are authorities in New York and DC dealing with their rat problem? How about everyday citizens like Joel Edwards?
Focus Questions
What public policy measures should cities take to deal with the rat problem?
Media Literacy: Many diverse voices were featured in this story. Can you think of additional questions to ask?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More
What students can do: Invention Education is a student-centered and project-based approach to solving problems. What ideas do you have for solving the rising rat problem in cities? Sketch or draw a possible solution on a piece of paper and share it with a classmate. Discuss ways to make it better. Share with with the class!
Be sure to check out NewsHour Classroom's Invention Education: 27 lessons where students are the inventors!
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
