The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010

All the News
Guidelines for the Activities

EXTRA, EXTRA, write all about it!

Do your kids realize that every day is full of newsworthy events? Maybe they scored a goal in a soccer game or got a good grade on a test. Perhaps someone learned to pump a swing or tied shoelaces for the first time. Did the next-door neighbor have a bumper crop of tomatoes or grow a particularly enormous gourd? Are they repaving Main Street, renovating the movie theater, or painting the playground equipment? Inquiring minds want to know.

New and noteworthy stuff is happening from minute to minute. Just encourage your kids to consider it all grist for the newspaper-writing mill. Then kick back, and enjoy reading it with your cup of morning joe.

MATERIALS

∗ blank newsprint paper (or other large paper)

∗ alphabet stampers and ink pad

∗ pencil

∗ black marker

HOW-TO

1. Look at a real newspaper with your kids, pointing out relevant details and discussing where and how reporters find their stories and get their facts.

2. Show your kids how to conduct a simple interview, compose an attention-grabbing headline, write a simple article, and lay out a newspaper page.

Variations

For Scribblers: Encourage Scribblers to get in touch with their inner printing press. Using alphabet stampers, they can “typeset” all over their piece of newsprint, strengthening fine motor (and letter identification) skills as they go.

For Spellers: Introduce Spellers to the idea of a press release, so they can broadcast important news items in writing, such as “Jack lost a tooth” or “Gracie said ’Mama.’”

For Storytellers: Storytellers are ready to learn about the Ws (plus one H) of a good news story: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? They can use an article-writing worksheet (see “Article Writing Worksheet” in the templates section) to organize their information.

For Scholars: Challenge Scholars to learn and use the parts of a real newspaper layout (see “Parts of a Newspaper” in the templates section).