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The Getty Center's Scenes from the Headlines - The Getty Center's Scenes from the Headlines
Grades
6 to 12
Discover these free resources for students to investigate photojournalistic images from the 1940s through the 1970s. The featured photographs were used to illustrate stories in newspapers...more
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Discover these free resources for students to investigate photojournalistic images from the 1940s through the 1970s. The featured photographs were used to illustrate stories in newspapers and magazines, providing visual accounts of events shaping 20th-century history. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks, photojournalism overviews, and questions for teaching. The four lessons featured include: Extra, Extra, Write all about it!, Newsworthy Images, Debating the Bomb, and Vietnam and the Long-term Effect of War. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the California Visual Arts Standards and the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.
tag(s): images (263), newspapers (93), writing (324)
In the Classroom
Share the lessons as presented on the site. Challenge students to a debate about which of the images was the most noteworthy or influential. Students can use an online debate tool like Kialo Edu reviewed here. Students can also research more about the time period featured in each image and the impacts that occurred.Fact Check Tools - Google
Grades
6 to 12The Google Fact Check Explorer is a powerful tool for educators to verify the credibility of online information. It provides a searchable database of fact-checks from reputable sources...more
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The Google Fact Check Explorer is a powerful tool for educators to verify the credibility of online information. It provides a searchable database of fact-checks from reputable sources worldwide, helping to quickly identify whether a claim is true, false, or misleading. With filters for specific topics, regions, or sources, it fosters critical thinking and digital literacy, enabling students and teachers to navigate misinformation effectively and engage in informed discussions. This platform is particularly valuable for teaching media literacy and emphasizing the importance of verifying sources in today's digital age.
tag(s): critical thinking (127), digital literacy (6), media literacy (109)
In the Classroom
This tool can be used for in-depth research projects, debate preparation, and discussions on current events. Students can investigate claims in the news and analyze the spread of misinformation. Introduce the tool in media literacy classes to teach students how to evaluate the credibility of online sources. Encourage them to check claims they encounter on social media or during research projects. For journalism, communication, and political science courses, the tool can be a resource for analyzing media bias, verifying sources, and conducting research. Teachers can use the tool as part of professional development to improve their understanding of fact-checking and how to teach these skills effectively to their students.NPR- Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts, and Podcasts - NPR
Grades
K to 12NPR (National Public Radio) is a valuable resource for educators, offering high-quality news, podcasts, and articles on current events, culture, science, and history. The site features...more
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NPR (National Public Radio) is a valuable resource for educators, offering high-quality news, podcasts, and articles on current events, culture, science, and history. The site features engaging audio stories, in-depth journalism, and educational content that can enhance classroom discussions and critical thinking skills. Teachers can use NPR's stories to connect lessons to real-world events, introduce students to diverse perspectives, and encourage media literacy. Additionally, NPR's student-friendly resources, such as NPR Ed and Student Podcast Challenge, provide interactive and project-based learning opportunities.
tag(s): civil rights (209), cultures (180), journalism (74), news (228), podcasts (108), scientists (67), space (222)
In the Classroom
Have students listen to NPR's Student Podcast Challenge winners for inspiration and assign them to create a short podcast episode on a topic related to your curriculum. Use free tools like NPR's podcast resources or Buzzsprout, reviewed hereto guide their scriptwriting and recording process. Choose an NPR article and a similar report from another news source and have students analyze the tone, word choice, and sources used. Use NPR's science and history archives to explore a key discovery or event. Have students present their findings through a timeline project using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here or Turbo Timeline Generator, reviewed here.Dreyfus Affair: Topics in Chronicling America - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12Dig into this curated collection of historic newspaper articles chronicling the events surrounding the Dreyfus Affair, a pivotal political and social controversy in late 19th-century...more
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Dig into this curated collection of historic newspaper articles chronicling the events surrounding the Dreyfus Affair, a pivotal political and social controversy in late 19th-century France. The site includes digitized primary source materials from American newspapers, offering insights into how the case was reported internationally and its broader implications for anti-Semitism, justice, and human rights. This resource is ideal for teachers and students studying world history, journalism, or social justice, providing a lens to explore the power of media and its role in shaping public opinion during significant historical events.
tag(s): france (41), journalism (74), politics (118)
In the Classroom
Provide printed resources about both the Dreyfus Affair and a modern case. Have students work in groups to compare by creating a Venn diagram on paper or a digital Venn diagram using Canva reviewed here. Provide students with printed or summarized information about the case. Ask them to handwrite their letters, imagining they were writing then and responding to the controversy from a specific perspective. Print several articles from the website for students to analyze in small groups. Ask students to discuss and present their findings about tone, word choice, and possible biases in the newspapers.Ida B. Wells and the Activism of Investigative Journalism - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12The "Headlines and Heroes" blog by the Library of Congress spotlights Ida B. Wells, a key figure in early investigative journalism who fought against lynching in the late 1800s and...more
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The "Headlines and Heroes" blog by the Library of Congress spotlights Ida B. Wells, a key figure in early investigative journalism who fought against lynching in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It talks about how Wells used her research and writing to reveal the truth about lynching to the world. The post shows her important role in the fight for civil rights and how her work helped shape journalism. It uses old documents and stories to make Wells' achievements and the challenges she faced clear to readers. Clicking on the images and links will open historical documents.
tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (209), journalism (74), womenchangemaker (37)
In the Classroom
Using a podcasting tool like Podcast Generator, reviewed here have students produce a podcast episode that discusses Wells' life. Have students pretend to interview Wells for the podcast. Create stories using Book Creator, reviewed here that highlights Wells' major achievements, the challenges she overcame, and her impact on civil rights and journalism. Share those those stories with another classroom or post them on your class webpage. Create a timeline of important events from Wells' life. Choose a timeline creation tool located here.
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New American History - University of Richmond
Grades
4 to 12New American History offers free digital media resources for teaching American History for middle and high school teachers, along with a few resources for upper elementary-level educators....more
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New American History offers free digital media resources for teaching American History for middle and high school teachers, along with a few resources for upper elementary-level educators. The included content focuses on connecting America's past to the present; find much of this content under the tabs at the top of the site to journalism, audio, video, and maps resources. Use the link on the home page to find the search tool to find resources. The filters include options to search by term, learning topic, reading level, grade level, standards, and learning strategies. Lesson plans include all information and resources for teachers, and most have a link to a student version.
tag(s): american revolution (82), black history (133), branches of government (65), civil rights (209), civil war (139), colonial america (95), colonization (21), constitution (96), elections (82), emancipation proclamation (13), environment (252), great depression (30), immigrants (34), immigration (68), inequalities (25), native americans (108), primary sources (117), racism (79), segregation (18), underground railroad (15), womens suffrage (52), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)
In the Classroom
This site is an excellent resource for American History teachers; be sure to add it to your collection of teaching resources. Each lesson provided by New American History includes several ideas for using digital tools within the teaching tips; take advantage of these ideas to engage students in learning and differentiate instruction for learning styles and abilities. As students complete activities such as KWL charts, use the graphic organizer templates found at Canva Edu, reviewed here to share students' ideas. Extend learning by asking students to use Canva tools to show what they know by creating infographics, presentations, flyers, and other multimedia projects.Journalism in Action - PBS Newshour Classroom
Grades
6 to 12Learn about ten critical historical events as an investigative journalist using this interactive site created for middle and high school students. The events, starting in the 1760s...more
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Learn about ten critical historical events as an investigative journalist using this interactive site created for middle and high school students. The events, starting in the 1760s and the early republic, continue to gender equality from the 1850s to the present. Each activity includes primary sources that provide perspective on how these cultural events affected civic life. Begin each activity with an introduction that includes an overview, essential questions, and information about relevant journalists during that period. Next, begin the investigation by examining primary sources and completing the included social media activities. The final portion of each event looks at the outcome reported by journalists and offers an opportunity for users to create their own front-page news story. Educator Guides provide guidance for using these interactives and their correlation to national standards. Registration isn't required; however, it is highly recommended as it allows you to complete case study questions within the site and save progress. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): 1700s (36), 1800s (75), 1900s (72), 20th century (62), american revolution (82), civil rights (209), civil war (139), immigrants (34), immigration (68), journalism (74), mental health (48), presidents (135), Research (87), vietnam (38), womens suffrage (52), world war 2 (161)
In the Classroom
This site is a must-have for middle and high school social studies teachers. Allow several days for students to complete individual case studies; if time is an issue, assign portions of a case instead of completing the entire activity. Another option is to share a case study as an ongoing flipped learning activity to complete over two or more weeks or as a supplement for gifted students to use as an independent learning activity. If assigning as a long-term activity, ensure students complete the registration and save their work. Then, as students complete the final activity of writing a news story, share their articles as a PDF using PDF Convertor, reviewed here, then upload all of the PDFs to the PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here, to create a flippable magazine that includes all student-written articles.
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American Experience - PBS
Grades
8 to 12American Experience is a PBS documentary program featuring stories about important and interesting experiences in American history. This site provides films, videos, and feature articles...more
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American Experience is a PBS documentary program featuring stories about important and interesting experiences in American history. This site provides films, videos, and feature articles to support and provide additional information to the series' documentary presentations. Titles of a few documentaries are: The Busing Battle Ground, Zoot Suit Riots, School Integration, and many more. Browse through the homepage to find images that include a link to the supporting information, including a link to the original documentary. Most of the original programming is not online; however, there is typically the option to view the trailer for the program along with a transcript of the full story.
tag(s): 1800s (75), 1900s (72), blues (22), civil rights (209), great depression (30), heroes (24), jazz (16), medicine (57), presidents (135), weather (160), womens suffrage (52)
In the Classroom
The films, videos, and articles provided on this site offer many opportunities to include primary sources within any American or world history unit. Bookmark this site to share first-hand information on world events with your students. Enhance learning by asking students to create video timelines using Timelinely, reviewed here, that includes maps, videos, and links to relevant information as a way to understand the complete picture of world events. For students who enjoy drama or journalism, ask them to produce podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here. Use podcasts for students to role-play events throughout history as told from a variety of perspectives.
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Teach Writing With The New York Times: A Free School-Year Curriculum in 7 Units - New York Times Learning Network
Grades
7 to 12Take advantage of prize-winning journalism published by the New York Times to teach writing to middle and high school students. The staff at the Learning Network of the New York ...more
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Take advantage of prize-winning journalism published by the New York Times to teach writing to middle and high school students. The staff at the Learning Network of the New York Times shares a curriculum focused on seven different genres of writing. Each unit includes daily writing prompts, guided practice, mentor texts, opportunities for student work to be published on the New York Times site, and culminates in a monthly writing contest.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative writing (124), critical thinking (127), descriptive writing (42), essays (21), journalism (74), persuasive writing (58), Research (87), writing (324)
In the Classroom
This writing curriculum includes units for bi-monthly teaching activities, be sure to bookmark this website to view and take advantage of lessons throughout the school year. Begin your unit using a learning management system like Actively Learn, reviewed here, to share articles with students. Actively Learn allows educators to integrate assignment directions, polls, companion videos, and more to create an in-depth learning experience. Enhance learning and help students identify writing techniques within the articles shared in each unit using Fiskkit, reviewed here. Fiskkit allows groups to collaboratively examine and discuss online articles by highlighting sentences and sharing thoughts. For example, during the first unit focused on the Personal Narrative Essay, use Fiskkit for students to find and discuss details, including examples of writing with voice and use of specific examples instead of broad descriptions. As your unit moves into focusing on student-created work, use Gravity, reviewed here, to amplify student's voice and discuss topics for the culminating personal narrative writing project. Pose a question on Gravity for students to share portions of a personal narrative they have read, then discuss what makes that portion of the writing stand out. Help students collaborate on ideas for their narratives using a Gravity video question asking students to share two or three ideas they have for their narrative and asking peers to share their ideas on what they consider to be most interesting or sharing ideas for inclusion. As a final project, use Sway, reviewed here, to publish and share student work. Create a class Sway with all student work, or ask students to create their own Sway to include their writing, a link to the New York Times article inspiration, images, and more.Checkology - The News Literacy Project
Grades
5 to 12Checkology offers interactive lessons to teach students how to evaluate and judge news and news sources. Lessons include real-world examples; many feature journalism experts as the...more
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Checkology offers interactive lessons to teach students how to evaluate and judge news and news sources. Lessons include real-world examples; many feature journalism experts as the digital guide. Participants view videos, take polls, and respond to quizzes within the lessons. The free account includes access to four news literacy lessons along with access to a limited amount of teacher resources.
tag(s): journalism (74), news (228), newspapers (93), social media (48)
In the Classroom
Integrate these free lessons with your other activities when teaching students how to evaluate and judge online information and other news sources. Consider assigning lessons for students to complete on their own, then come together as a class to discuss the content. Add a link to a lesson on a Padlet, reviewed here, and share with students. Ask them to add comments onto the Padlet including links to additional examples of the featured topic. Ask students to compare and contrast information from two sources using a Venn Diagram. Create a Venn Diagram using resources found at Class Tools, reviewed here. Challenge students to become the reporter and enhance their learning by writing their own news article to post as a blog at Edublog, reviewed here. Ask them to include some misinformation within their blog, and then have other class members find and respond to the shared content. Extend learning by having students become the teacher and share their tips and tricks for evaluating news and creating a digital book for other students using Book Creator, reviewed here. Ask them to include videos sharing their tips, written examples of misinformation, and add their Venn diagram to demonstrate different ways facts are used in articles to mislead readers.Country of the Week - New York Times
Grades
5 to 12Each week the New York Times provides an interactive quiz introducing a new country through video, photography, and journalism. Begin each week by finding the highlighted country on...more
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Each week the New York Times provides an interactive quiz introducing a new country through video, photography, and journalism. Begin each week by finding the highlighted country on a map through multiple choice options. After choosing the correct location scroll down the page to answer multiple choice questions. This site also includes archives of previous quizzes dating back to September 2017.
tag(s): countries (73), cross cultural understanding (173), cultures (180)
In the Classroom
This site is an excellent addition to any social studies or geography classroom. Bookmark the site and participate in the weekly activities. Ask students to explore countries more in-depth and then modify their learning by creating infographics using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, to compare what they learned from the New York Times site and their own research. Keep track of countries visited through the interactive quizzes and using Google My Map, reviewed here. Google My Map offers tools for modifying learning by creating custom maps that include uploaded images and videos. Think of it as your virtual field trip around the world during your school year!Knight Lab - Northwest University
Grades
K to 12Knight Lab offers a variety of tools for storytelling and promoting quality journalism. Choose the Projects tab to find all available options sorted by categories of Storytelling, Beta,...more
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Knight Lab offers a variety of tools for storytelling and promoting quality journalism. Choose the Projects tab to find all available options sorted by categories of Storytelling, Beta, and Prototypes, Experiments, and Past Projects. Projects include examples and full instructions for using the tool in any classroom.
tag(s): digital storytelling (154), images (263), maps (220), timelines (56)
In the Classroom
This site is a must-have for anyone who teaches writing or assigns writing projects. Bookmark this site for use throughout the year with any writing project. Focus on one tool a month to learn more about the features available. Assign a tool to different groups of students and let them become the experts. Enhance students' learning and modify classroom technology use by asking the groups to create a "How to" video for their tool and to share with their peers. For this, try using Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here, or RecordCast Screen Recorder, reviewed here. Work with peers to assign projects across subject levels using tools from this site to compare and contrast images, create interactive timelines, build story maps, and much more.Creator Basics - YouTube
Grades
8 to 12Creator Basics offers a series of online video courses designed to maximize YouTube success. Although this isn't the goal of every video creator, the courses provide many valuable lessons...more
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Creator Basics offers a series of online video courses designed to maximize YouTube success. Although this isn't the goal of every video creator, the courses provide many valuable lessons in video production and creating engaging content. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): creativity (86), journalism (74), social media (48), video (266)
In the Classroom
View videos with a projector or on an interactive whiteboard before assigning multimedia projects. Include a link to the videos on your class web page for students to view at home. Set up a video chat time for one of these YouTube videos using a tool such as Watch2Gether, reviewed here, to discuss the video lesson. Be sure to share with your school's journalism teacher for use with writing and video projects.
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Making a Change: The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement - NewseumED
Grades
8 to 12Explore how the First Amendment influenced the Civil Rights Movement through this collection of resources from Newseum. The collection includes three teaching units with topics of Historical...more
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Explore how the First Amendment influenced the Civil Rights Movement through this collection of resources from Newseum. The collection includes three teaching units with topics of Historical Connections, Media Literacy, and Civics & Citizenship. In addition, an interactive timeline beginning in 1791 demonstrates the Civil Rights journey. A Google Civil Rights map includes links to important American newspapers and their coverage of civil rights events and leaders. Be sure to sign up for your free NewseumED account for complete access to all materials.
tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (209), constitution (96), cultures (180), journalism (74), media literacy (109), newspapers (93)
In the Classroom
Use any or all of the units and interactives with any Civil Rights lessons; this site isn't just for Black History Month! Share with journalism students as they explore the role of the press in shaping and telling the story of a nation. Have small groups or pairs of students enhance their learning by making a multimedia presentation exploring the First Amendment and the role of the press using a tool such as Sway, reviewed here. With the web-based Sway, you can include text, images, and video. To illustrate different press coverage around the nation, have students modify their learning by creating maps using Zeemaps, reviewed here. This tool allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location on a map where the news report takes place.
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Pulitzer Center Lesson Plans - Pulitzer Center
Grades
3 to 12Find lesson plans at the Pulitzer Center for grades 3-12 that identify global issues and ways to address them. Topics include subjects such as International Adoptions: Ethics and Effects...more
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Find lesson plans at the Pulitzer Center for grades 3-12 that identify global issues and ways to address them. Topics include subjects such as International Adoptions: Ethics and Effects and America's Responsibility for the Welfare and Safety of Chinese Workers and many other intriguing topics. Each lesson plan includes big ideas, essential questions, Common Core standards, vocabulary, assessments, and additional resources. Bring lessons to life through journalist visits (in larger cities) or Skype visits.
tag(s): africa (148), careers (156), china (81), debate (42), earthquakes (46), ethics (21), food chains (19), hiv/aids (15), india (32), journalism (74), media literacy (109), water (102), women (151)
In the Classroom
Use the lesson plans on the site as a resource for discussing and debating global issues. If there is no time to complete a full unit, explore resources from each topic for ideas to use in your classroom. For example, try the ideas on interviewing individuals who migrated to the United States offered in the How Did I Become the Person That I Am unit. Share this site with students interested in journalism careers as a resource for learning more about the profession and some of its members.Climate Commons - Earth Journalism Network
Grades
9 to 12This tool is a map-based interactive platform containing layers of news and information on climate change in the US. It includes the latest data, stories on the causes and impacts,...more
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This tool is a map-based interactive platform containing layers of news and information on climate change in the US. It includes the latest data, stories on the causes and impacts, and the response to climate change. View the most recent data, including temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide emissions. Filter stories by a variety of categories (such as Oceans.) Each dot displays a story.
tag(s): climate (84), climate change (99)
In the Classroom
Use the data and geotagged stories to understand more about climate change. Create multimedia (podcast, video, blog, wiki, etc.) or conventional products (poster or bulletin board) to explain the basics of climate change. Click on different dots on the map to view specific stories that are being published there. Compare the tone and substance of the different articles found in each of the areas. Are there certain regions that are more skeptical (or less) about this issue? Have students select a story to research in terms of its local implications at that location, such as a story about fracking in the Marcellus Shale region. Civics/government classes can use this site to trace political issues, news, and related policy initiatives related to climate change.Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek - John Branch, New York Times
Grades
8 to 12Experience the true story of a deadly avalanche and its aftermath through this 2013 Pulitzer Prize winning multimedia feature article. Rich with metaphors and imagery interwoven with...more
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Experience the true story of a deadly avalanche and its aftermath through this 2013 Pulitzer Prize winning multimedia feature article. Rich with metaphors and imagery interwoven with the narrative, the online article includes interactive maps, videos, and photographs. Discover the science behind avalanches in this exquisite example of informational text and narrative. The article sidebars share related slideshows and more. The story is long but well worth the time to fully experience.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): descriptive writing (42), disasters (37), journalism (74), snow (17)
In the Classroom
Include this story (or portions of it) during your science study of motion, gravity, or weather with secondary students. (Our check of reading level found it to be approximately 8th grade). Experience the text on a projector or interactive whiteboard to annotate figures of speech that tell us even more than some of the images. Read and analyze it as an informational text in English class. (it's viewable on tablets, too!). Discuss how the author uses media as part of the writing instead of as an add-on. For journalism and other writing classes, you may want to have your students read the accompanying article "http://source.opennews.org. US/articles/how-we-made-snow-fall/ How We Made Snow Fall to analyze how the interactive and graphics departments at the New York Times worked with the text of the story to make the graphics and video a seamless part of the "reading". Challenge student groups to investigate a true story of a weather event or other actual occurrence through a combination of media and writing, explaining the science concepts along the way. Share their projects using one of the multimedia tools available from the TeachersFirst Edge. Expecting a snow day? Share this on your class web page for your literature or science class as a productive way to spend the day. Teachers of gifted can share this as an example of a project that can draw on a student's interests in science, art, and writing. Challenge students to try one. If you teach journalism, you could make the two articles an entire unit as you discuss the changing role of print vs. web-based writing in the 21st century.High School Journalism Initiative - Reynolds Journalism Institute
Grades
8 to 12The High School Journalism Initiative is a large site dedicated to high school journalists, teachers, and mentors. Choose from several different options such as news literacy, games,...more
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The High School Journalism Initiative is a large site dedicated to high school journalists, teachers, and mentors. Choose from several different options such as news literacy, games, students, teachers, and more. You can view stories by teens, read school papers, find local journalism organizations, research colleges with journalism majors, and more. You can also find a large bank of lesson plans along with teaching tips, information on starting school newspapers, and links to featured school papers. Search the lesson archive to find lessons sorted by topic such as bias, ethics, or interviewing.
tag(s): editing (93), journalism (74), media literacy (109), news (228), newspapers (93)
In the Classroom
This is a must-bookmark site for any high school journalism or English teacher and even as teacher background for Newspaper units at any level. Share resources with students. Download and use lesson plans. Assign groups of students different articles to read and present to the class. The News Literacy resources and feeds are also useful for social studies classes looking at the media and bias as they stay up to date with current events. Challenge your students to go past PowerPoint and make an online presentation using Animoto (reviewed here) or another reviewed presentation tool from the TeachersFirst Edge to share their findings.
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Six Word Stories - Pete Berg
Grades
5 to 12Six Word Stories challenges students to create a meaningful "narrative," book summary, reaction to a movie, or other literary reflection in just six words. Based on a famous one by...more
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Six Word Stories challenges students to create a meaningful "narrative," book summary, reaction to a movie, or other literary reflection in just six words. Based on a famous one by Ernest Hemingway, the site collects the writings of amateurs and professionals. Readers can search it by theme or by genre or author (including famous ones). Links include places to try similar endeavors including 2-sentence stories and fifty-word stories. Please preview: at the time of this review, there was one inappropriate comment with a curse word.
tag(s): Teacher Utilities (197), writing (324)
In the Classroom
Have a contest and challenge your students to submit the best 6-word story after finishing a novel, play, or poem. Try creating some together on interactive whiteboard, brainstorming first to generate possible words from which to choose, then dragging to rearrange them into a meaningful story. Make a six word story "sidebar" at the side of your class where students can work together with a partner on the IWB to generate new stories as summaries for an act of a Shakespeare play or in response to a sonnet. In a journalism class, try this for a twist on headline writing. Introduce poetry writing by having your students try their hand at expressing an emotional experience in just 6 words. ESL/ELL students often create unusual combinations in writing; why not have them display their creativity here in an acceptable form? Share this site with world language teachers also.Headliners - Headliners/formerly Children's Express
Grades
3 to 12Formerly Children's Express, this relaunched site offers contemporary stories, mostly about life in the UK, at levels children can easily understand. The site is intended to develop...more
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Formerly Children's Express, this relaunched site offers contemporary stories, mostly about life in the UK, at levels children can easily understand. The site is intended to develop learning through journalism for ages 8-19. Although a bit slow to load, the archive offers stories organized by subject matter. The focus is on young people, with lots of interviews and hot topics. Qualified UK youngsters can become writers for upcoming news pieces, and all readers can read about how these young people became reporters.
tag(s): journalism (74), reading comprehension (149)
In the Classroom
Use the stories to teach reading comprehension skills, especially inferencing, since American students will need to use context to figure out some of the terminology and background written by British students. Try projecting a story and asking student how to find context clues to explain what the story is about. If you have an interactive whiteboard or projector use the tools to mark clues. Then use these stories as models for writing activities on topics that matter to your students. You may want to create a guided reading activity using Read Ahead, reviewed here.
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