Mini-Lesson

Writing a News Story

Grades 2-3

Students will learn how to report and write a news story.

1. Use the timeforkids.com news article Dark Days In Ike's Wake to teach students the basics of reporting and writing a news story. Start by asking students "What do you think TFK Kid Reporter Nabor Mireles had to do in order to write this story about Hurricane Ike?" Students might say He went out and talked to a lot of people; He visited people and places affected by the hurricane.

2. Have students underline in the story the names of the people Nabor spoke with and places Nabor visited in order to report this story. People include the security guard at Crystal Beach; Paula Reed and her family; Traci Winfree; and Paul Philaday. Places include Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula; Clara Barton Village; and Payco Marina.

3. Start a discussion. Ask: Why do you think Nabor talked to so many people and visited so many places? How might Nabor's story have been different if he only talked to one person? How might Nabor's story have been different if he reported only what he saw on TV or read in the local paper? Explain that when writing a news story it's important to see things for yourself and to speak to more than one person so that your story is fair and accurate.

Extend the Learning Have students come up with a reporting plan for an upcoming event at your school or in your community. Use a Halloween parade as an example. Ask: If you were writing about the parade for a school newspaper who would you want to interview in order to tell the story well? For example, students might interview the person organizing the parade, a child or family planning to participate in it and local business owners sponsoring the event. On the day of the parade, student reporters would plan to be there to interview people watching and marching in the parade.