If we are talking news, rather than feature, then this is the time to introduce fact and opinion.
Lori On 2/22/08 8:53 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > We haven't done news articles, but just got done with feature articles.? > > I collected 40 or so articles and had the kids read as many of them as > possible. In their groups I had them looking for common characteristics.? I > also tossed in several articles, like some obituaries and some news articles, > so they could also see what didn't fit the pattern. > > We also had 6 articles that I had selected to use as models (we attached these > into their notebooks)?that we could refer back to again and again.? The kids > knew these articles well enough through references that they would know which > paragraph or characteristic we were discussing. > > We developed a list of "All news articles have...." and a second list of "Some > feature articles may have...".? We then ID'd these in the model articles and > marked them up. > > Next, we talked about writing their own articles and the steps we would need > to go through, always referencing the model articles. > > I would think you would have to talk about timeliness, clarity, leads, the > inverted pyramid- who/what/when/where/why/how...,my daughter says > spelling...headlines, sublines, naming people- first time full name, last name > everytime after...general to specific details..., interviewing techniques, > notes, collaborating sources... > > there's probably a good deal more, but that's a start. > > > Karen Onyx > Carusi Middle School > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bill IVEY <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. > <[email protected]> > Sent: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 9:03 am > Subject: Re: [LIT] New member looking for help > > > > "A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades." > <[email protected]> on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 1:47 AM -0500 > wrote: >> Hey there! I am looking forward to learning from everyone here on the >> listserv and hopefully be able to post some ideas of my own. I am new to >> teaching grade 6 and am looking for some innovative ways to teach news >> article writing. Any suggestions or ideas that have worked for you in your >> classrooms would be greatly appreciated. >> >> Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. > > Hi! > > My students haven't actually designed a "news" unit yet... but I have a > couple of ideas (brainstormed quick ones) to share, and I'm sure others > will have ideas to add. > > One thought is to read aloud a few extracts from "The Landry News" by > Andrew Clements, or even read the whole book, and use it to generate > discussion about what a newspaper should do, what a good news article is. > I've never taught the book, but my students (currently 7th graders) have > said they've read it and loved it (as have I). > > You could have them read real articles based on interviews and analyze how > they put together, where the writing works and where it doesn't and why. > Then have them do interviews, and write them up. Or, have them write up an > imagined interview with a celebrity, a role model, or someone else who > intrigues them. > > Sportswriting, arts and entertainment, advice columns, op-ed and other > "not-so-hard news" kinds of writing may also appeal to them. Again, > following up an analysis of models with real writing often works well. > > And what about taking a playful tack? Examine a (kid-appropriate!) article > from the Enquirer, and help them analyze that and then come up with their > own original outrageous article. > > Just a few quick thoughts. I hope they help! How about the rest of you, > especially those who have taught such a unit?! > > Take care, > Bill Ivey > Stoneleigh-Burnham School > > > _______________________________________________ > The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive > > > ________________________________________________________________________ > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - > http://webmail.aol.com > _______________________________________________ > The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive -- Lori Jackson District Literacy Coach & Mentor Todd County School District Box 87 Mission SD 57555 http:www.tcsdk12.org ph. 605.856.2211 Literacies for All Summer Institute July 17-20. 2008 Tucson, Arizona _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
