Mini-Lesson

The Interview

Grades 2-3

Students will learn how to prepare and conduct an interview.

1. Have students read the timeforkids.com interview with First Lady Laura Bush, Get Real! Read a Book.

2. Ask: How do you think TFK Kid Reporter Yunhee Hyun prepared for her interview with First Lady Laura Bush? Possible responses include She probably read Mrs. Bush's new book, Read All About It and She might have read other interviews to help her think about what kinds of questions to ask.

3. Ask: If you could continue the interview with Mrs. Bush what questions would you ask? Brainstorm a list of questions.

4. Explain to students that before conducting an interview professional writers do their research and prepare questions. Point out that the questions Yunhee asked required more than yes or no answers. Ask: Why do you think she did this?

EXTEND THE LESSON Have students read other interviews that have appeared on timeforkids.com: Seeking a Green World, Blast Off With Two TFK Kid Reporters and 10 Questions for Miley Cyrus. Then, assign students to interview one another. Remind students that Yunhee interviewed First Lady Laura Bush about her new book. The interview is timely and it's related to a specific event. Suggest that students think about their classmates' recent accomplishments as a starting-point for their interviews.