Curated OER
The Pledge of News
Students explore the fundamentals of news-gathering, the etiquette of reporting, and the rights a news writer/reporter has. They review the parts of a news story and write an article discussing their beliefs about the Pledge iof Allegiance.
PBS
Journalism in War Time: What Does the Public Need to Know?
A viewing of the documentary War Feels Like War, launches an exploration of the importance of accurate and comprehensive war reporting. Groups investigate various news agencies and assess the factors that influence their stories. A...
Curated OER
Understanding the News
Students work in small groups to identify the following categories of news articles: hard news, features, announcements, and opinion/personal reflection.
Curated OER
I Have a New Baby News Report!
In this baby news report worksheet, students write a newspaper style report about the baby's name, weight, what it does, and explain how they felt when they met the new baby.
Social Media Toolbox
Verification
When you're putting together a great story, you've got to consider the source! Scholars discover the dangers of errors in reporting during the 14th activity in a 16-part Social Media Toolbox series. Groups collaborate to create a source...
Curated OER
Journalism and Responsibility
Students explore the world of journalism. For this media awareness lesson, students investigate the roles and responsibilities of journalists. Students watch segments of videos and research websites to inform them prior to writing their...
Classroom Law Project
Should we believe everything we read? Becoming a discerning consumer of media
Class members investigate the role media should play in a healthy democracy. As part of this study, groups analyze political advertising, use FactCheck to assess not only the veracity of but the persuasions techniques used in candidates'...
Curated OER
News Anchor
High schoolers view selected clips from news programs, analyzing the volume, stress and pacing of the deliverance. They prepare and deliver a one-minute presentation based on a current news story.
Curated OER
Numbers in the News
Students examine numbers used in the real world by reading newspapers. In this number identification lesson, students explore popular newspapers and attempt to find numbers in prices, temperatures, dates, sports scores, etc. Students...
Curated OER
"And That's The Way It Is..." Today in History
Students research an event in history from different perspectives. They discuss the characteristics of a nightly news broadcast and create their own based on the history event they researched. They work together to produce this...
PBS
What Makes A Good Video Report?
As part of a media literacy unit, class members establish criteria for good video reporting, and practice giving both positive (warm) and constructive (cool) criticism.
Curated OER
A Long Way Home
Young scholars examine the difference between hard news and editorial writing by considering several pieces written about the Elian Gonzalez custody battle. They then craft their own hard news and editorials on the case.
Curated OER
Reporting on a Battle
Students report on battles of the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson, students conduct research that allows them to report on selected battles of the war. Student's newspapers should include eyewitness statements, photographs,...
Curated OER
Out of Your Comfort Zone
Students practice their interviewing skills. For this journalism skills lesson, students discover how to use open and closed questions when interviewing a subject. Students prepare for and experience a press conference with a school...
National Endowment for the Humanities
“Read All About It”: Primary Source Reading in “Chronicling America”
Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore Roosevelt's...
Curated OER
Another Look at School Safety
Students research crime and violence in their district, including finding out what has been discussed about safety and addition of surveillance cameras.Students conduct interviews and explore the legal issues involved. After all...
Curated OER
Back to the Past
What was the Untied States like in 1938? What were the concerns of Americans in the post World War I era? What were their fears? What were their sources of news and entertainment? To understand the reaction to Orson Welles' radio...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Survival of the Fittest - Variations in the Clam Species Clamys sweetus
It's not often that you come across a clever laboratory activity that is both imaginative and comprehensive! Using M&M's and Reese's peanut butter candies to represent two different clam species, young biologists test for "relative...
Curated OER
Writing News Interviews
Students write ten facts for a topic of choice. They describe why they chose that topic and begin to research it. They complete a handout on note taking that is used to draft questions for interviews.
Curated OER
Who To Believe?
Students interpret meaning from opposing views on the same topic, and discuss that there is often so much "spin" and "hidden agendas" in the media.
Curated OER
Heart Rate equals gym grade
Middle schoolers find out about an interesting activity that is going on in their school. Then the student interviews students and teachers to see how they would feel if a teacher monitored their heart rate during that specific project...
Curated OER
Voter Fraud: Are Ghosts Going To The Polls
Students research background material about voting in their community. They interview local/county election officials to see what is going on in the community. They also interview teachers, and students to determine if they are newly...
Curated OER
Chinese Newspapers
Learners investigate the role of Chinese newspapers in the Australian Chinese community, both in the early 20th century and today. They identify the role of ethnic newspapers.
Curated OER
Fact and Opinion
Students determine the difference between fact and opinion. They identify facts and opinions in a report. Students discuss the porportion of fact and opinion in a report. Students write a profile of the place they live and evaluate facts...