Unit 04. Fake news – I’m an investigative journalist

This unit is available through our KS3 Resource Centre. We will review and update it once the draft National Curriculum 2028 Programme of Study is published to ensure full alignment. These updates will be provided free of charge to users with active KS3 Resource Centre access.

Unit career

I’m an investigative journalist.

“As an investigative journalist, I uncover and report on important stories that require research and digging deeper. This involves interviewing sources, analysing documents, spotting fake news, social manipulation and piecing together evidence to reveal the truth.”

Key Question

All the activities in this unit enable students to answer the key question:

How can we uncover the truth online when some information is designed to be misleading?

Knowledge statements

This is achieved by students studying 4 “Learn-it” lessons, each of which focus on one knowledge statement:

1. Know how to identify fake news presented by online sources.
   • E.g. “Living corpses” in Bucha, “The Ghost of Kyiv” etc.
2. Know that information presented as news can be created with the intent to influence public opinion or obscure the truth.
3. Know the techniques used in social manipulation.
4. Know the impact of fake news and social manipulation on society.
• E.g. how it can affect political decisions in elections and eroding public trust.

What is included in this unit?

• Teacher guide providing a detailed overview of the unit.
• 6 Lesson folders:
  • 4 “Learn-it” lessons with a teacher PowerPoint and student workbook.
  • 1 “Make-it” lesson with assessment materials for teachers and students.
  • 1 “Review-it” lesson with an end of topic MCQ test, assessment grid, peer assessment and self-reflection.
• Any additional resources and materials needed for the activities are provided in the lesson folders.
• 6 detailed lesson plans explaining how to teach the 3 lesson phases.
• Extension activities with model answers.
• 3 independent homework question sheets supported by 3 online videos hosted on Tella.
• Reading activities with questions.

Samples

You can take a look inside our Key Stage 3 resources by watching our showcase videos.