How to Make a Classroom Newsletter
Motivate students and satisfy parents by making a classroom newsletter. These one- or two-page customized brochures can be adapted to any grade between kindergarten and eighth. Newsletters are useful for informing parents about class events and their child's progress. They are also used to remind students about homework and upcoming tests. Newsletters that showcase exemplary student work create incentives for kids to study harder. Some teachers incorporate newsletters into the curriculum to improve students' computer skills.
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Instructions
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Seek parents' feedback by introducing the idea of a classroom newsletter at an open house event when the school year begins. Ask parents whether they prefer a printed or electronic copy. Ask parents with Internet access to provide their e-mail addresses.
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Tell students that making the newsletter is a class project and they must all participate. Decide how to collect story ideas. For example, students might place ideas in a suggestion box. Then the entire class can vote on which suggestions they like best.
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Select subjects that correspond to classroom activities. Examples are test results, books read in class, birthdays, class rules and planned field trips. Some teachers add a "behavior box" for rating individual student behavior.
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Decide on a production schedule by considering your goals. Quarterly newsletters might summarize progress the class has made but cannot be used to remind parents about upcoming projects. Choose weekly or daily newsletters if strengthening study habits and improving behavior are key objectives.
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Select an editor. This can be a teacher, class aide or a designated student.
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Decide on a name for the newsletter. Students can vote on their favorite name. Or, the teacher can choose a name to reinforce learning--like reminding students of their room number or the correct spelling of the teacher's name.
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Pick an easy-to-read format. Classroom newsletters often have two colums with designated spots for "news" stories. Reserve the top half of the first page for the lead story. Departments like "Now Reading" or "Birthdays" are usually placed beneath the headlined articles.
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Add a pleasing design. Choose a font face and size most appealing to students. Add decorative borders and clip art. Center the teacher's name beneath the title. Place the date and volume number of the newsletter on either side of the teacher's name.
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Insert a signature line at the bottom of the last page. Ask parents to acknowledge receipt of the newsletter by signing their names.
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