These activities will engage students with the newspaper quickly and effectively. While each activity has a simple goal, newspaper content is sufficiently complex that, regardless of your stated goal, students will leave the activity most likely having learned something they did not previously know.
Distribute newspapers:
If you are using an e-edition, several students can share the same screen if necessary. E-editions also work well when projected on a screen for the whole class or on an interactive white board.
- If utilizing the print edition, students can each have a copy or they can share.
- Ask a few questions that send students to the newspaper to look quickly at what is presented. Questions may include:
- What is the name of this newspaper? Why do you think it's called that?
- Can you find a word in a headline that tells something about you?
- What is happening in the pictures on this page? Which photo is most eye-catching and interesting to you?
- Introduce students to the concept of newspaper sections and the likely content of each one:
- Have them look at or click on the index. On the online edition, there is often a tab marked "Sections." There will be a drop down menu that lists the names of the sections. Have them identify each section of the newspaper and find out what kind of content each offers.
TipTIP: Students will understand the parameters of the lesson once you clearly establish them so begin each newspaper lesson by telling them what your goal is. For example, "In today's lesson you will learn how to navigate through a newspaper to find what you want."
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