How to Start a Children's Newspaper using a Bulletin Board

Kid's need a place to display their creativity and a way to express their imaginations. There is a bulletin board in the condo complex laundry room where I live so I used that to set up a display area. The kid's were so excited they immediately got to work writing stories. One wrote a great story and two had a fight and ripped up each others work. I made a rule that if they fought they could not be on the news team and they settled down. They are usually running wild in the complex and this gave them focus and an important purpose. I told them all the people who sit in the laundry room bored waiting for the wash would now have great entertainment. They liked that idea a lot. One asked, "What if a story or picture gets stolen?" I told him that it would be a complement that someone loved it and told them to create more. They all agreed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bulletin board
• A little inspiration speech
• Thumb tacks
• A sign stating this work was created by the Kid's Newspaper of the "Complex". Insert name of complex or name of your family if it is a family bulletin board.

1. Explain to the children that they will be like real reporters and could write stories of what goes on around them at home, school or town. They could also write stories from their imagination.

2. Explain that they can write about sports, dolls, cars, motorcycles, dad, mom, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, friends or grandparents. They can get to pick any topic. Giving them an initial list of ideas helps spur their minds.

3. If the bulletin board fills up show them how to hand the work diagonally and overlap. Put up a sign that work should be returned after being read. Encourage them to sign their work. They can take a picture to show in school to their teachers and fellow students.

4. Get gold stars and give them out. I don't think you should rate them just give everyone a star for the effort. Tell them you are not going to decide whose is best just a star for doing. They get rated enough in school this should be for them without judgment. Just encourage them.

Tips & Warnings

• I would have them do everything by hand so they get writing practice without the eyestrain of looking at a computer (like what I have now)

[derbyka]

on 11/15/2008 This is such a great way to occupy kids and get them involved. I wish someone would start one in my apartment complex.