Activity Overview
Retelling the events of a story can be done in fun and creative ways. One of these is by creating the front page of a newspaper! This can be done for any book, though historical fiction books may allow students to also "report" on important events that would have affected the life of characters. In this activity, students will retell key events from the story as if it were a newspaper. They should add a catchy headline, create images, and write descriptions for each to imitate the look of the front page of a newspaper highlighting the key events of the story.
To add additional templates to this assignment, check out our newspaper project templates. Teachers may choose to scaffold or tailor this assignment by having students create text for pictures the teacher has created on the template, or by assigning students specific events to cover. Be sure to update the student instructions as necessary!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create the front page of a newspaper to describe key events from the book.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify key events from the book that would make it on the front page.
- Write a captivating headline.
- Add appropriate characters, items, and scenes to create at least one appealing picture on the front page that helps illustrate your event.
- Write a description of the story in the text boxes.
Requirements:
- Headline.
- Picture(s)
- Minimum one paragraph to describe the event.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline and Descriptions | Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences. | The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief. | The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations. | The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
How To Help Students Read and Analyze Newspapers
Identify Main Sections
The headline, subheadings, lead (opening paragraph), body, and conclusion are important elements of news items that students should learn to recognize and comprehend. Talk about the structure of the inverted pyramid, where the most crucial information is presented first. Teachers can give each student a newspaper from a different time period to analyze the main sections.
Conduct Essential Exercises
Encourage students to analyze the validity of sources, appraise the evidence in articles, and take into account the viewpoint and possible biases of the author in order to foster critical thinking abilities. Discuss with students why these exercises are important and how they can help them write their own sections in the newspapers if they ever decide to pursue a career in journalism.
Analyze the Use of Wording and Writing Style
Ask the students to analyze the kind of vocabulary used in newspaper sections, especially how the headlines are formatted and portrayed. Help the students analyze the difference between the writing style of newspapers and stories/ books. Discuss how the writing style can shape people’s opinions and shape the present and the future.
Compare Different Papers
Assign the students the task of comparing newspapers from two different time periods or two different newspapers from similar time periods. This will help students analyze how the field of newspaper journalism has changed over time and how people now share the news on current affairs with the rest of the world.
Conduct Class Discussions and Debates
Use newspaper stories to spark debates and conversations among students about current affairs. Urge them to share their thoughts, backed up by information from the articles they've read. Teachers can also ask the students to conduct discussions on how the different sections present in the newspaper enhance the overall quality of the paper.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Front Page for a Newspaper as an Activity
What sections should the students focus on including in their newspapers?
Headlines, subheadings, bylines, pictures, captions, and a range of news articles covering various subjects should all be included on the front page. It should resemble the layout of an actual newspaper. Students can take some inspiration from famous news articles to make their papers more authentic.
Can this activity be conducted in groups or should the students work individually?
Teachers can conduct this activity both individually and in groups. Students can cooperate and share responsibilities in groups, simulating a newspaper setting. Students have the opportunity to fully own the process when working on individual projects.
Can this activity be conducted for students in different grades?
Yes, depending on the grade level, the project's difficulty can be changed. While older students can focus on more in-depth research and analysis, younger students can concentrate on simpler layouts and shorter essays.
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