Created by Connie CampbellClassroom newspapers are exciting ways to share what is goingon in your classroom with others. Newspapers can be sent homeeach day with students, if you budget permits, or published online.Classroom newspapers are a great way to answer the age-old question, What did you do at school today?

More and more families now have access to the Internet, so an inexpensive way to share your newspaper is to put it online. Follow these simple steps to create exciting electronic publications.Using a Word ProcessorGetting StartedPutting It TogetherNewsworthy SitesCreating An Electronic NewspaperFinding Web SpaceRelated Links

Jefferson County Schools

Using a word processorA word processor, such as Microsoft Word, can be utilized to create your classroom newspaper file. The newspaper can be printed and sent home with students. A newspaper template is included here.

Getting StartedPresent the newspaper template on a large screen TV monitor. Brainstorm together on the name of the class newspaper. Several language arts objectives canbe included in the creation of the newspaper:

Ability to use oral language to bring meaning to what is observed, felt, heard, and read through questioning and discussion Interest and ability to express ideas, thoughts, and feelings in writing to self and othersAwareness of purposes for proofreading, editing, and revising in the writing processAbility to read for meaning by integrating all cueing systemsAwareness of, and respect for, the similarities and differences of cultures, lifestyles, and experiences portrayed in literature.Summarizing and sequencing of eventsDevelopment of paragraph utilizing main idea and supporting statementsDistinguishing fact and opinion

Putting it togetherAfter a name for your newspaper has been selected visit a news site on the web and select a story for your focus. Students will read and discuss the story from the web site and then summarize and develop a paragraph based on thestory. As they dictate, type the newspaper on the computer connected to the TV. After the web resource has been utilized, encourage students to relate classroom events that would be of importance to their readers. Pictures can also be downloaded from the web or pictures can be taken with digital cameras. If you do plan to publish your paper online, be sure to follow your school systems policy for posting students pictures on the web.

Newsworthy sitesThere are many wonderful sites on the web for students to learn about news headlines. The following links provide but a few:KidNews is a collection of kid-created daily news items, features, creative writing, and sports news. Ages 8-14.New York Times Student Connection provides opportunities for students to learn new words while reading today's news summaries. Ages 8-12.Time for Kids offers weekly headline news to help kids stay on top of current events. Ages 8-14.Yahooligans! News contains weekly kidworthy news. All ages.Discovery News Online is the site for the hottest science-related news stories. All ages.Sports Illustrated for Kids will fill you in on the hottest sports news. All ages.Children's Express is a monthly newsmagazine written by and for children with a focus on cultural and political stories. Ages 8-14.CNN News (not a childs news site, but one of the best!)

Creating an electronic newspaperAfter the newspaper has been typed and saved in your word processor, it can be printed and sent home if your budget permits. Another way to economically share you paper is by creating an electronic publication. If you are using MS Word, you can save your document as a html file. Another way to transfer your document is to copy and paste it into a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program such as Netscape Composer. Directions can be found athttp://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/6470/webdesign.htm

Finding Web SpaceYour newspaper is now ready to upload to the web. If you have a personalISP (Internet Service Provider) you may already have web space, however,if you do not, there are many places on the web that provide free space. Manyeducational institutions provide space so check with your system. FREE web space!http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/6470/webdesign.htm#Free Web SpaceOne widely used web site is Geocities. The FTP (file Transfer protocol) process to Geocities is fairly simpleand fast.

Related LinksOur Classroom NewspapersClassroom Newspaper WorkshopNewspapers of the World on the InternetAsk ERIC Current Events Lesson PlansUsing Newspapers in the ClassroomNewspapers in EducationStudent Newspapers on the Web