Grade Level: K-2

Concept:  Improve reading skills and introduce the newspaper as an important part of the community

Estimated Duration:  80 minutes

Objectives

• understand how newspapers help to build a sense of community
• identify the important events and people within their school community
• create a newspaper page/section

Construction paper

Copies of local community paper

Five (5) pieces of 22 x 28 foam-board (or 1 for each group)

Glue sticks

Markers

Photographs (clipped from newspaper or brought in by students prior to lesson)

• Varying academic levels: uses heterogeneous grouping to allow students of differing abilities to support learning, uses small- and whole-group discussions to ensure all students participate
• Visual learners: reinforces the importance of media, introducing the role of the newspaper in the community as students examine local paper and create their own
• Kinesthetic learners: engages students in using crafts to create a community-focused newspaper

• Begin your class discussion by focusing on the community’s local newspaper. Give each student a section of the local newspaper.
• Explain the role of the local newspaper, focusing on how it serves as the voice of the community. Ask students to skim the paper and find photographs that best represent their community.
• Write the words “community” and “culture” on the white board. Ask students to explain the meanings of these words. Write their responses on the white board. Next, ask students to list facts about their community’s culture.

• Explain to students that they will work in groups, creating their own community newspaper. The newspapers will highlight their school community.
• Divide the class into groups of four, pairing stronger students with more challenged students.
• Pass out foam boards, construction paper, glue sticks, and markers.
• Explain to students that every newspaper has different “sections” and that they can choose to focus on one of the following: sports, education, front-page news, weather, or community happenings/events.
• Once the groups have chosen a section, allow them to choose photographs or clippings to use on their “page.”

• Instruct students to choose the images that best fit their section and glue them on the board. They can use the construction paper and markers to write short sentences or “articles” to accompany the pictures.
• Provide each group of students with approximately 30 minutes to create their newspaper page.

• Display each of the newspaper pages at the front of the classroom. Ask each group to explain the photographs on their newspaper page.
• Allow a short question-and-answer period for other students to inquire about the pictures and their importance.

Closure

• Ask students to identify which section the newspaper page would belong to. Why?

Discuss: Why is it helpful to have a local newspaper? What important things can you learn from your newspaper?