Word
Bank
The students can create a word bank of words from the newspaper.
Assign each student one unfamiliar word. They can use a
dictionary to verify the meaning of the word. Have them
write a sentence using the word and draw a picture illustrating
the meaning. They should find an antonym and synonym for
each word.
Main
Ideas
Ask students to choose one news or feature story and identify
the main idea. What opinions, predictions or conclusions
can students draw from the story? After reading, assign
students to create an outline, web or other graphic organizer
for the story.
Dream
Job
What do your students dream about, career-wise? Have them
find a dream career in the help wanted ads. Each student
can write a letter to a prospective employer detailing why
they should be hired
.So
Much Info
A newspaper has so much information. Talk with students
about how one can use a newspaper to find a job, a place
to live, a car, entertainment and even a mate! They can
use the newspaper as a reference to find information such
as where the president is, the television lineup for this
evening or the sports scores from yesterday. Have the students
create a list of questions that could be answered from the
information presented in the newspaper.
Survivor
Have your students imagine that they are going on an extended
trip. What supplies do they think they would need to make
the trip? Students can browse through the newspaper looking
for five items they would absolutely want to have with them
if they were planning a trip. Have them write a reason explaining
why they chose each one.
Exciting
Sports
Sports articles often have great examples of vivid, figurative
language. Review a story from the Sports section with your
students to find that kind of writing. Have them underline
descriptive words or phrases. Discuss why use of vibrant
language is important in writing. They can write their own
descriptive paragraph about another sports event
Letters
to the Editor
Have students read an article that deals with a controversial
subject. Then ask them to write letters to the editor expressing
their opinions. The students can read some letters to the
editor for examples. The students can revise and edit their
letters and mail them to the paper.
Write
a song
Students can have fun selecting an object from the newspaper
to write a song about. They can find the object, write a
song title and the first verse of lyrics. Allow them to
share their creations and, if they like, they can use a
well-known tune and set their words to music.
We
Can Help
Can your students find problems in the newspaper that they
would be willing to work at solving? What issues do they
see as worthy of their time? Have each student write an
essay about the problem and the way in which he/she would
be willing to volunteer for a solution. Under what circumstances
would they be willing to donate some of their free time?
And would they be willing to forgo any of their scheduled
activities to volunteer?
Celebrate
the Differences
Are there different types of people featured in the newspaper
from whom your students can learn? Have your students search
the paper for some unusual people. They can write profiles
about the people and the lessons that can be learned from
each person.
