7th Grade
Project
4 weeks
"Newsprint Ninjas: Publish & Present!"
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Purpose
The purpose of this project is to engage 7th-grade students in authentic journalism experiences through the creation of a school newspaper. Students will actively participate in writing, editing, and designing articles on school events and topics of interest, fostering skills in research, communication, and collaboration. This hands-on project encourages critical thinking and creativity, culminating in a school-wide presentation where students share their work and processes with peers and teachers.
Learning goals
Students will develop skills in journalism, including research, interviewing, and writing articles. They will learn to edit their work and collaborate in teams to create cohesive newspaper layouts. Through this project, students will enhance their understanding of media literacy and the role of journalism in society. Additionally, students will practice public speaking and presentation skills during the school-wide showcase.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
Products
Students will collaboratively produce a school newspaper, featuring articles on school events and topics of interest. Each student will contribute by researching, writing, and editing articles, as well as participating in layout design. The project will culminate in a school-wide presentation day, where students will showcase their work and discuss their creative processes.
Launch
Begin the project with a visit from a local journalist who can share insights into the world of journalism, discuss the importance of storytelling, and answer questions about the profession. Follow this with a brainstorming session where students identify topics of interest and school events they want to cover in their newspaper. Encourage students to form teams based on their interests in writing, editing, or design, setting the stage for collaborative work throughout the project.
Exhibition
At the culmination of the project, students will host a school-wide presentation day where they display their completed newspaper articles. Each student will present their work, detailing their research, writing, and design processes to peers, teachers, and invited guests. Interactive stations will be set up, allowing attendees to engage with the content and provide feedback. This event will serve as both an assessment and a celebration of their learning and achievements.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
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| Activities |
Project Kick-off with Journalist Guest - Host a session with a local journalist who shares career experiences and introduces basic reporting skills, inspiring students about the project ahead (46 min)
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Brainstorming Session - Facilitate a group brainstorming session for students to generate potential article topics focusing on school events and issues they care about (46 min)
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Introduction to Journalism Basics - Teach foundational journalism concepts including types of articles, interviewing techniques, and the importance of fact-checking (46 min)
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Research Skills Workshop - Conduct an interactive workshop on effective research methods and how to gather credible information for articles (46 min)
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Writing Workshop Part 1 - Guide students through crafting clear and engaging leads for their articles and organizing their ideas logically (46 min)
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Peer Review and Feedback - Facilitate a session where students share their article drafts and provide constructive feedback to each other, focusing on clarity and engagement (46 min)
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Weekly Reflection Circle - Host a circle discussion where students reflect on the week's progress, challenges faced, and insights gained, encouraging open dialogue (46 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed article outlines for each student's assigned topic.
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange for a local journalist to visit the class and prepare a brief presentation on their work.
2. Compile a list of potential article topics related to school events and issues. 3. Prepare materials for role descriptions in journalism (e.g., writers, editors, designers). 4. Gather resources for the research skills workshop, including access to databases or library resources. 5. Create templates for article outlines to guide student writing. 6. Set up a structure for peer feedback, including guidelines for constructive criticism. 7. Develop prompts for the weekly reflection circle to facilitate meaningful discussion. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Interview Skills Workshop - Guide students in developing effective interview questions and techniques for gathering information from sources (46 min)
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Conducting Interviews - Facilitate a session where students practice conducting interviews with classmates or staff, simulating real-world scenarios (46 min)
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Article Drafting Session - Assist students in organizing their interview notes and research into coherent article drafts, focusing on structure and flow (46 min)
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Layout Design Introduction - Teach basic newspaper layout principles and tools, helping students plan the visual presentation of their articles (46 min)
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Design Workshop - Provide hands-on experience with layout design software, guiding students in creating mock-ups of their newspaper pages (46 min)
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Peer Editing and Feedback - Organize a session where students exchange drafts and layout designs, offering constructive feedback on content and presentation (46 min)
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Weekly Reflection Circle - Host a reflection circle for students to discuss their progress, share challenges, and celebrate successes, fostering a supportive environment (46 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed first draft of individual articles
2. Peer feedback forms for at least two classmates’ articles |
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange access to computers or tablets for writing and design tasks
2. Prepare resources on journalism writing styles and layout design principles 3. Coordinate with interviewees to schedule interview sessions 4. Set up a peer review rubric to guide constructive feedback 5. Ensure access to any necessary software for writing and layout design |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Advanced Article Writing - Guide students in refining their article drafts with a focus on enhancing clarity, cohesion, and voice (46 min)
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Finalizing Article Content - Assist students in completing revisions to ensure accuracy and engagement, preparing for the final editing process (46 min)
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Editing and Proofreading Workshop - Instruct students on editing techniques and common proofreading strategies, applying them to their own articles (46 min)
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Collaborative Editing Session - Facilitate peer editing sessions where students exchange articles and provide detailed feedback on content and mechanics (46 min)
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Layout Design Finalization - Support students in completing their newspaper layout designs, incorporating feedback received and ensuring visual appeal (46 min)
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Integration of Multimedia Elements - Guide students in selecting and integrating photographs and graphics into their newspaper layouts for enhanced storytelling (46 min)
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Weekly Reflection Circle - Host a reflection circle for students to discuss their accomplishments, ongoing challenges, and learning experiences in preparation for the final week (46 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Each student will submit a revised and peer-reviewed article, incorporating feedback from peers and mentors.
2. Each group will submit a draft layout of the newspaper, including all articles, photographs, and graphics. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare digital workstations with layout design software for students to use during the layout design activity.
2. Coordinate with the local journalist to schedule the mentor session, ensuring they have access to students' draft articles beforehand. 3. Gather additional resources such as style guides and design templates to support students in their editing and layout tasks. 4. Arrange the classroom space to facilitate the reflection circle, ensuring a comfortable and open environment for discussion. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Editing Session - Guide students in a thorough editing session to refine their articles for clarity, accuracy, and engagement (46 min)
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Layout Design Finalization - Assist students in finalizing the layout of their newspaper pages, ensuring visual appeal and coherence (46 min)
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Incorporating Multimedia Elements - Teach students how to effectively integrate photographs and graphics into their newspaper layout (46 min)
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Peer Review and Final Revisions - Facilitate a session for students to review each other's near-final newspaper pages and suggest last-minute improvements (46 min)
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Printing and Assembly - Coordinate the printing of the final newspaper and guide students in assembling the copies for distribution (46 min)
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School-wide Presentation Preparation - Help students prepare and practice their presentations for the school-wide launch event, focusing on clear communication of their processes (46 min)
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School Newspaper Launch Event - Host the presentation day where students showcase their newspapers, engage with the audience, and receive feedback from peers and mentors (46 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Finalized newspaper articles with complete edits and revisions
2. Completed newspaper layout ready for print 3. Presentation materials for the School Newspaper Launch Event |
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange access to computers and design software for layout finalization
2. Coordinate with local journalists for their attendance at the launch event 3. Prepare the venue for the School Newspaper Launch Event, including setting up booths and arranging necessary equipment 4. Print copies of the completed newspaper for distribution during the event 5. Ensure all students have access to resources for final edits and peer review sessions |
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