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Katie Couric, Journalist

From Tragedies to Triumphs (Season One)

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Katie Couric Lesson | Teaching The Thread

“I think my loss has absolutely affirmed my positive outlook." - Katie Couric, The Thread

Katie Couric touches on her competitive nature from childhood and explores her experience as a trailblazing woman in journalism as the first female anchor of a network evening newscast. She opens up about the loss of her first husband to colon cancer and the impact of his illness and death on her life perspective.

 

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Lesson Objectives

Social Studies

*Explore the role of journalism in a democracy

*Define second-wave feminism

*Examine gender stereotypes, misogyny, and sexism in the workplace

English Language Arts

*Inspire students who aspire to work in journalism

*Explore the emotions of compassion, empathy, loss and grief alongside the capacities of resilience and courage

*Examine perspective taking from the point of view of one journalist

*Explore the idea of purposeful work and a meaningful life

*Use Katie Couric’s episode as evidence to write a rhetorical argument, commentary, or synthesis essay

Social Emotional Learning: By offering engaging personal narratives, students can discuss and strengthen the five SEL competencies - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Media Literacy: Students will practice media literacy skills by analyzing information, points of view, and claims made in The Thread and be able to translate these strategies with all forms of media to make more informed decisions.

Katie Couric Lesson | Teaching The Thread

First Take >

The "First Take" activity is a warm-up writing or conversation exercise created uniquely for The Thread to strengthen media literacy skills. Like an opening song in a musical, the first stanza of a poem, or even the first impression one person makes on another, the "First Take" asks students to reflect and share their initial thoughts and feelings about the episode’s opening and why the filmmaker and editor made these choicess.

Download Katie Couric's lesson to access the complete “First Take” activity.

 

Katie Couric Lesson | Teaching The Thread

The Thread Up Close >

After watching the interview, students will debrief and discuss the life story and engage in a close read and analysis of her interview using the "From Tragedies to Triumphs" episode and transcript.

In this lesson, students explore the changes for American women in the workplace through Katie Couric's Thread episode.

Download lesson to access “The Thread Up Close” activity.

Katie Couric Lesson | Teaching The Thread

"From Tragedies to Triumphs" >

In this lesson students will explore the title of this lesson and connect it to their views and understanding of loss and grief.

Download lesson to access the complete "From Tragedies to Triumphs" activity.

 

Resources

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