Activity Overview
As students read the novel, it can be helpful to connect the real events of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl with the story. A helpful way to do this is for students to create a newspaper! Using one of the newspaper templates, students can create the front page of a newspaper that the characters might have read during their time in the story. Students will make inferences based on the text and may also complete additional research to flesh out their project.
As an extended or classroom activity, have students create the whole newspaper, including various interior articles that also follow sub plots or real life events. Students can print their newspaper pages out, and they can be bound together as a class!
For additional templates to include in this assignment, check out our Newspaper Poster and Newspaper Worksheet templates!
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 set during or just after the events of the story. Feel free to use historical context for your article!
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment."
- Create a title for your newspaper and a catchy headline for the main story.
- Use appropriate scenes, characters and items to create "photographs" for your article.
- Include captions for "photographs".
- Write the accompanying text for the main story, and any other articles on the front page.
- You may need to delete the placeholder lines and add new Textables.
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 Perform Research on the Topic of “Great Depression”
Explain Necessary Terms
Before students start performing their own research on the topic, teachers can briefly explain the events surrounding the Great Depression and explain some key ideas and vocabulary words to the students. For example, some younger students might find it hard to understand the concept of economy, inflation, or economic depression.
Give Relevant Examples
In order to clarify the concepts further, teachers can give relevant and relatable examples and explain them in simple terms. This can also be done by using daily life activities or classroom activities and using them as examples to explain the complex events of the Great Depression. This will help the students grasp the basic concepts easily.
Utilize Multiple Resources
The use of a combination of primary and secondary sources should be emphasized. Primary materials give firsthand knowledge of the era through images, letters, and personal reports; secondary sources, on the other hand, analyze and interpret the material.
Use Note-Taking Techniques to Analyze Information
Help the students focus on how to evaluate and combine data from various sources. Encourage them to assess the veracity of the material they encounter, compare points of view, and look for recurring themes. Teachers can also ask them to jot down important details, quotations, and personal observations. The organizing of their findings later on will be made easier by this.
Summarize and Reflect
Ask the students to summarize their research and put it in an organized form. Once the main insights are in a comprehensive format, students can share their findings with the rest of the class and discuss their analysis of the situation and if there are any current world events they think can be related to this research. Help the students reflect on this information and guide them to use this information for different activities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Newspaper for Events Present in “Of Mice and Men”
Which kinds of articles can the students include in their newspapers?
A range of pieces, including editorials, feature stories, interviews, and news reports, can be included. This variety will offer a thorough understanding of the story's characters and events and provide students with a chance to execute their creativity and imagination.
Can the students add original or fictitious content to their newspapers?
Yes, as long as they relate to the novel's ideas and events, students are allowed to use fictional elements. For instance, students can write articles offering their thoughts on current events or make up fictional character interviews.
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Of Mice and Men
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