FOLLOW-UP PROJECTS

Here are ways an individual, pairs, or groups of students can analyze, evaluate, or present what they learn.

Writing

• Write a new headline for a news story you read. • List what you think are the three most important news events this week

(month) and explain your reasoning. • Glue a news story to a piece of paper. Copy and finish this sentence below it: “I think children should know about this news story because ____.” • Write three questions you have about a news story you read.

Writing • Write a paragraph explaining how you are directly or indirectly affected by a

news event.

• List three possible causes for an event in the news. Draw a star by the one you think is the major cause. • After reading an editorial, write what you think the author’s purpose was. • Compare how two different news sources report the same story. Describe in writing how the

reports are alike and how they are different. • Write a letter to the editor or an editorial expressing your viewpoint on an issue. • Write a summary of a news report. Include the answers to the 5 W’s—who, what, where, when,

and why. • Write a paragraph that gives your views on what makes a story newsworthy. • Research careers related to news reporting. Choose one and write a help-wanted ad for that job. • Write three questions on an index card for a partner to answer by investigating current events

reports. One question should pertain to a local issue, one to a national issue, and one to an international issue.

Oral Language and Creative Dramatics

• Present a mock television newscast. • Perform a re-enactment of a news event. • Tape record a summary of a news story. • Interview someone to get his or her opinion about an event. • Dress as a person involved in a news story and tell what happened to you. • Participate in a group discussion about a current issue. • Perform a skit that shows the possible effects of a news event. • Conduct a mock interview with someone in the news.

Art and Design

• Create a mural that summarizes an event. • Make a collage with words, headlines, and pictures that relate to a news

story. • Draw an editorial cartoon that expresses your opinion. • Make a map that identifies important sites relating to a news story. • Create an exhibit, display, or model that explains part of a news story.

Design • Make a scrapbook of articles, cartoons, and pictures relating to a news topic.

• Draw a graph or chart that shows information related to a news story. • Create a timeline that details the order of events. • Retell a news story through a sequence of drawings. • Design a display of this month’s top news events.

Program Management Tips

Try these suggestions to incorporate a current events program into your learning environment.

Supplies

• Set up a resource center with the daily newspaper, magazines, and other sources of news. • Keep a recycling bin in the learning environment for newspapers. Empty it on a weekly basis. • Store in a large can several sets of different colored highlighters for students to use when

analyzing news stories or editorials for cause and effect, pros and cons, fact and opinion, and prob- lems and solutions.

A Kiosk Display

Finding space to display current events information is sometimes a challenge.

A kiosk is an attractive alternative to a bulletin board. To make a kiosk display, stack several equal-size boxes and tape them together. Cover them with colored paper. Label each side with a different heading—Local, State, National, and International. Have students post news articles or projects under each heading.

Tapping into the Community

Whether your learning environment is in a school or at home, parents in your community may have resources you are unaware of. Prepare a notice informing them of the topics you are teaching and asking for any help they might contribute: • Ask families to donate current news magazines they have already read. • Encourage vacationing students to bring back newspapers from the places

they visit.

FOLLOW-UP PROJECTS