[LIT] New member looking for help

[ljackson]

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, "khonyx at aol.com" <khonyx at aol.com> 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 <bivey at sbschool.org>
> To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades.
> <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
> 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."
> <lit at literacyworkshop.org> 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
> 
> 
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-- 
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