TITLE: SCHOOL NEWS
AUTHOR: PAM HANSEN; Cleveland Elementary, UT
OVERVIEW:
This activity can be used for several purposes. It can be used to
improve writing skills, speaking, questioning skills, and help to
build self esteem. No special conditions are required. Your school or
community only needs to have things happening.
When I begin this activity, the class will brainstorm about what
has been happening that we would like to tell the rest of the school
about. This can either be in individual classrooms, school wide, or
can be in the community.
GRADE LEVEL: 3 and up.
PURPOSE
As stated earlier, this activity can be used in the language arts
to improve writing, reading, and speaking skills. It can also be used
to help build self confidence and self-esteem.
It is also used to improve community relations. It lets the
community know what is going on in the school.
It is used to build school spirit. It lets everyone know what
other classes are doing.
OBJECTIVES:
1. TLW write a report that clear and understandable.
2. TLW use correct grammar and correct spelling.
3. TLW speak clearly and in a manner that is understandable.
4. TLW incorporate the 5 W's in his report; who, what, when,
where, and why.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
A video camera and a VCR. When I first started this project our
school did not have a camera so I simply had a parent come in a
video the news with one that they owned. Then after the principal
saw its value he purchased one for the school.
ACTIVITIES:
As the lesson begins, the class will brainstorm about what has
been happening school-wide or in the community that is news
worthy. They will come up with several ideas or suggestions. At
this point I assign different stories to students. They can either
work independently or as teams or in groups. They then research the
story and write the report.
For each broadcast, I select an anchorperson for the news.
This person is used to introduce the news item and then turns the
actual report over to the "reporter".
I also assign students to be "reporters" for different classrooms.
They go to that class and report any news or event happening there.
In that way each class is covered.
At the end of each broadcast, the principal does an editorial. He
is free to speak on any subject.
After each report is completed, I video the item.
About every two weeks the news is "aired" on our school's TVs.
Each room has a TV and can be networked from the VCR in the office.
After the broadcast, the students can check out the video to
take home for the family to view. Also copies can be made for those
who want one.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
The culminating activity is watching it on TV. Our school has a
special time to air the news. The secretary announces it and the
whole school watches. The kids really enjoy seeing themselves and
they know everyone else is watching too. This helps to have
everyone do their best.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org