During a long-term sub, I did (eons ago now), I had my sophomores create a classroom newspaper. This project has always been in the back of my mind to re-create. I started to create a version of it for Christmas school this year (which I am still planning to do), but my planning exploded, and well, here we are.
I started by creating an individual project, which then morphed into a group project. It then morphed again into some lessons and activities and now a whole unit. And now, it is ready, and it is finally completed and ready for download.
What is Available in the Unit:
Each Product is available to purchase individually, but you have better value and get more use out of it by buying it in several of the bundling options.
Individual Project: This is the perfect project for any theme or topic. I have made those customizable on the downloads. Students will dive into and create a four-page newspaper. They have to create different articles, ads, and columns. I have included some helpful planning/brainstorming sheets with a three or four-week schedule to use to plan students' work time. The project also includes an extensive grading rubric.
Group Project: This project is also perfect for any theme or topic, which can be customized on the download. This takes the individual project one step further and allows students to take on job roles within a newspaper. This project is ideal for a group of five. Giving students the job of an Editor-in-chief, Copy Editor, Reporter, Columnist, or Photographer/Illustrator. Each role is responsible for different aspects of the project. They will also create a four-page newspaper, writing different articles, columns, and ads. The group project also offers the same plans/brainstorming sheets but also adds an editing checklist and a daily check-in sheet to keep track of work done by the group. I have created different downloads according to group sizes four to seven, and all of the rubrics and requirements reflect the size of the group. A three-week suggested schedule is also included.
Unit Lessons & Activities
I created several unique activities and lessons (both group and individual) that introduced students to newspapers. By the end of the year, they will have learned about the parts that make up a newspaper, jobs within a newspaper, types of writing involved in newspaper articles, and what makes up a good newspaper article.
Available Activities:
Parts of a Newspaper Lesson & Activities: Newspaper Parts -Student Lesson Notes, Look & Find- Parts of a Newspaper Activity, Match the Section/Page/Article Types, Match the Headlines Activity, and Scavenger Hunt Activity.
Jobs in Newspaper Lessons & Activity: Jobs in a Newspaper- Student Lesson Notes, and Match thotes, What Makes a Good Newspaper Article-Student Notes, Article Matching to Types of Writing Activity, and Same Story Different Paper Activity. e Job Activity
Writing Good Newspaper Articles Lesson & Activities: Types of Newspaper Writing-Student Notes, What Makes a Good Newspaper Article-Student Notes, Article Matching to Types of Writing Activity, and Same Story Different Paper Activity.
The bundles are where things come together to create a complete unit to cover with students.
Lessons & Activities Bundle: This includes all of the lessons, notes, and activities listed above. A bonus for this bundle is a suggested daily lesson plan as well as a final test. Ect.
Individual Project and Lessons Bundle: This bundle combines all of the items from the Lessons and Activities Bundle and the Individual Project. This allows you to introduce newspapers and then end the unit by having students create a newspaper according to any topic or theme. The bonus for this bundle is also a suggested daily lesson plan, vocabulary crosswords, and the final test.
Group Project and Lessons Bundle: This bundle combines all of the items from the lesson and activities bundle with the Group Project. Allowing you to introduce new papers to your students and then end the unit by having groups complete a newspaper project. The bonus for this bundle is also a suggested daily lesson plan, vocabulary crosswords, and the final test.
Mega Bundle-Individual, Group, and Lessons: This bundle is perfect if you want it all or can't decide whether to do individual or group projects or want the option to be able to do either from one class to the next. It combines all of the Newspaper Project components. It has all of the lesson activities, as well as the individual project and the group project portions. The bonuses for this bundle include lesson plans for use as individual or group projects, a final test, and an extra PowerPoint Notes presentation for lessons.
I’m truly excited to see how these resources help out others. So please let me know what you think of them. Leave a comment below and check out more of my resources.