How to Create a Classroom Newspaper From a Word Document
Encourage your class to ask questions, think critically and write by collaborating on a classroom newspaper. Use Microsoft Word and the Internet, if needed for research, to motivate students to learn the newspaper format. Outline stories for the issues, or let students develop their own for a diverse publication. When students share a goal such as creating a classroom newspaper, they learn to work together in different roles like reporter, designer and editor, giving them a better understanding of the newspaper publishing process and group dynamics as a whole.
Instructions
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Open Microsoft Word and select a newspaper template by selecting the File drop down menu, "New Works Template," then "Tasks." Templates are also available for free download at www.microsoft.com.
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Select an editor, designers and reporters. If working with a younger group, you may be responsible for editing and design.
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Ask students to collect stories that are interesting to them, following the five Ws of reporting: Who, What, When, Where and Why. Have them format stories with the most important information at the beginning, and details and lesser information toward the end.
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Distribute digital cameras, if available. Have students take photos to accompany their stories.
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Collect stories, edit them or have the editor do so. Give the edited versions back to the reporters to compare their version and the new version side by side to gain a better understanding of the editing process.
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Add, or have the designer add, stories and photos to the template. Add stories by either typing handwritten articles or using Copy and Paste, under the Edit drop down menu, from the original Word document. Upload photos by connecting the upload cord to your camera and the other end to the slot fitted for such a device on the computer. A menu will open; save the photos to your computer's desktop or a folder. From the "Insert" drop down menu, choose "Picture" and "From File" to add photos. The photo will appear at the cursor's placement, but can be moved using "Copy and Paste." Let one story be the front page feature, and distribute the rest in surrounding or in subsequent pages.
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Print the newspaper for students to keep and take home.
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