How to Design Your Own Class Newspaper

Students engaged in learning how to make their own newspaper.

Creating an in-classroom newspaper is a thrilling and educational activity. Not only will it allow the students compiling the newspaper to see the roles involved, it will also teach the different sections and details that a newspaper includes. Use this opportunity to discuss the history of the newspaper and the present state of the publishing industry with the class. This activity is suitable for students at the fourth grade level or higher, allowing the students to write concise and thought-out pieces.

Things You'll Need

• Computer access
• Examples of newspapers
• Pencils and paper
• Computer printer

Instructions

1. 

   Articulate the different sections within the newspaper.

   Provide examples of different newspapers to the class and have the students examine the format of the paper. Assist them in viewing the different parts of the paper, including the headlines, images, editorials, comics and horoscopes. Allow the students to view the framework of the newspaper and determine which section appeals to them the most.

2. 

   A child strives to understand the different sections of a paper.

   Discuss how to format different styles of articles, examining each part of criteria that an article requires. Talk about the who, what, where, when, why and how aspects of an article. Describe to the class what an engaging article consists of and the necessary steps to complete it precisely. Make clear the necessary layout to get across all details of the article. Have the children pick an article from the paper to dissect the distinctive parts and gain a full understanding of how to write their own.

3. 

   A student busy writing an article.

   Ask the students' personal areas of interest and have them choose a subject based on each. Anything from classroom to school-wide news, local issues or human-interest stories can be covered. Explain the different types of articles that make up a newspaper. This can be the local or national news, weather reports, scientific breakthrough, human-interest stories or simply an expose that appeals to a broad audience. Ensure that there is a wide variety of articles chosen to provide the reader a well-rounded newspaper, filled with what is typically provided. Once assigned an article, provide the class with the format guidelines in order for specified sections to be completed. Give suggestions on how to gain the information for the article, including online research, as well as, interviewing tips.

4. 

   Peer editing is a great way to learn from other's mistakes

   Align small groups within the class to peer edit the completed articles. Review the guidelines given at the start of the lesson to guarantee that all the necessary parts of the article are included. Have the student break down the article that they are peer editing to highlight the necessary sections, ensuring that the sections are within the piece. Explain the importance of complete sentences and cohesiveness within the article.

5. 

   Students explore the format of a newspaper.

   Discuss the importance of using a compelling image to accompany the piece. Have the students choose a hand drawn picture or online image that best suits the finished article. Format the newspaper by compiling the articles and images. Use this time to explain that each newspaper has a particular layout to gain the reader's attention. Explain the difference in the articles that run on the front page, versus those that appear within the newspaper.

6. 

   A teacher assists in formatting the classroom newspaper.

   Compile the edited articles and images to complete the classroom newspaper. This can be accomplished by using a template within a word processing or publishing program. Templates within such programs have the necessary functionality to accomplish this task in a stress-free manner. Make sure that all necessary articles and images are properly saved to fill the template in a smooth manner. Take suggestions from the class for a name for the newspaper. Brainstorm names based on local and national titles while incorporating a dynamic connection to the class. Consider titles such as, Classroom Chronicle, Teacher Tabloid, Worker Bee Weekly and The Nine Year Olds' Newspaper. Print the paper on standard or extra long paper, depending on the class preference. Laminate a copy of the finished paper to keep on file for the class to refer to.

7. 

   A student's hard work accomplished.

   Send each student home with a copy of the completed in-classroom newspaper. If the lesson was a success, implement the newspaper into a monthly project or after school club activity.

Tips & Warnings

• Spread this lesson of the course of several days to keep the child's attention to the process. Gain the interest of parents and others in the project to gain readership for the final newspaper.

References

• Read Write Think: Creating a Classroom Newspaper