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Letter to the Editor
Students analyze and interpret letters to the editor, and use this information to write their own. Groups of students analyze letters, then submit one of their own design to an actual newspaper.
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Let the Games Begin
Students analyze how the New York Times uses small feature stories to cover aspects of a major international event, such as the Olympics, before it actually occurs. They brainstorm their own ideas for short feature stories on the Olympics
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Hail to the Chief
Students explore how the New York Times has represented presidential victories on its front page throughout the 20th century.
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Current Events Research
Students look for news stories on the Web that highlight some of the prominent issues in modern American history they outlined in Lesson One. They see the connection between historical issues and current events.
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Current Events Research
Students monitor current events using on-line and traditional resources. They explore issues such as what trends they see developing in specific news issues over time and how different news stories might be interrelated.
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Why Did You Write That?
Second graders use actual written media to identify and discuss an author's purpose for writing. They identify the author's purpose in a selection from the newspaper, and write a short description of how they came to their conclusion.
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Is that a Fact? Reading the Newspaper
Fourth graders are given a newspaper article. They predict the content based on the title, read and chart fact and opinion statements, and conclude by summarizing the article. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to guide their...
Curated OER
The World in 22 Minutes: Constructing a TV News Lineup
Young scholars examine several newspapers to compare front pages, headlines, and photographs, experience role of news editor, define and discuss factors that go into news judgements, and arrange twenty-two minute news broadcast by...
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Youth Leading the Way
Students share opinions about groups or activities that give meaning to their lives. They read and discuss the article "Challenging Tradition, Young Jews Worship on Their Terms". Afterward, they investigate and write news articles about...
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Conducting the "Orchestra": How to Implement the Maestro
Students work as a team member to produce a newspaper. In this newspaper production lesson plan, students understand the role that each staff member plays in the production of a publication as they demonstrate commitment to...
Curated OER
Creating Hate: The Power of Words
Learners explore why authors choose to use hate words in literature. In this power of words lesson plan, students complete group participation, journal entries, and written assignments to investigate the use of inflammatory...
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Comparing the Satellite and Broadcast Radio Landscapes
Students research the development of satellite technology over the last 50 years students explain how the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the rules for corporate ownership of multiple media outlets.
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School Newspaper Unit
Learners assemble and format their stories and layout their electronic newspaper.
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Fact vs. Opinion (Part II)
How can you tell the difference between fact and opinion? Using newspapers, learners determine which articles contain statements of fact, and which articles reflect the writer's opinion. The lesson plan includes a discussion format and a...
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Aztec Myths: Writing Editorials
Middle schoolers write an editorial giving an opinion of whether or not Quetzalcoatl has arrived and if so, what the Aztecs should do. They discuss whether or not they believe Quetzalcoatl is a god or a man, and use an Editorial...
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Iran Hostage Crisis: Reading Primary Documents
Following brief instruction about the Iran Hostage Crisis during Jimmy Carter's presidency, small groups read three-page sections from the diary of hostage Robert C. Ode. They write editorials from the perspective of either U.S. citizens...
American Press Institute
Newspapers in Your Life: What’s News Where?
Big news isn't necessarily newsworthy everywhere! How do journalists decide what to cover with so much happening around them? A instructional activity on media literacy examines the factors that affect the media's choice of stories to...
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The Newspaper Article
Have your class participate in an interview activity using an informational text about the Amazon. After reading a Cultural Connections story about a person from the Amazon, middle schoolers write interview questions based on the text....
Prestwick House
Understanding Language: Slant, Spin, and Bias in the News
We live in a time of fake news, alternative realities, and media bias. What could be more timely than an activity that asks class members to research how different sources report the same topic in the news?
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Press-ing Freedom
Students consider how free speech applies to journalistic practices in light of a legal case involving two reporters. They participate in a fishbowl discussion about journalism codes of ethics and write response papers.
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World War II
Sixth graders read Under the Blood Red Sun (UBRS), V is for Victory (V), and Number the Stars(NS). They examine WWII through the eyes of Japanese, Danish, and American students and complete at least two projects: a radio broadcast and a...
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How Media Shapes Perception
Students explain the impact that the media may have in shaping their intellectual and emotional responses to current events. They examine broadcast and Web-based news sites to find subtexts through the use of language, audio, and visual...
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Gender Bender
Students explore the effects of Title IX. In addition, tudents create revised rulebooks for a sport in their school based on their understanding of Title IX and write a related article for the school newspaper.
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The Power of Fiction
Students explore fiction that moves individuals to social action. For this literature lesson, students read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and analyze its literary worth as well as its investigative journalism. Students investigate other...