Date: 1994
Grade Level(s): 5, 6, 7
Subject(s):
Materials Needed: Newspapers, scissors
To Start:
Ask students to recall some of the biggest local news events of the year. Can they do the same for national news? World news? Which stories affect them directly? (teachers' strikes, park closings, etc.) Which stories affect them indirectly? (world hunger, rising oil prices, etc.) Which stories do not affect them at all?
Group Activity:
Section off the class bulletin board into three categories: local, national and world news. Break the class into three groups, one for each category. Every day for a week or so, have each group clip from the newspaper two or three articles and photos they feel are most important or interesting. Each group should arrange its examples on the bulletin board.
At the end of the week, have students report on one of the events pictured on the board. The oral reports should include the 5Ws and H-the who, what, when, where, why and how of the story-as well as why the group felt the even was important.
Follow-Up: When a major local, national or world news story breaks, bring it to the class' attention; challenge students to find follow-up stories in the days that follow. Have them summarize events that have occurred. Story examples might include natural disasters, political crises, major crime investigations, disease outbreaks, organ transplant operations, etc. (Note that as the days go on and the story becomes less timely, it may be harder to find follow-ups. You might make the assignment a challenge: who will be the first to uncover the news?)