Weekly News: Create Class Newspapers for Morning Work

Grade Level: Fifth Grade
Subject: Language Arts (Writing & Communication)
Duration: 60 Minutes
Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to plan, draft, and create their own “class newspaper” by brainstorming topics, organizing content, and writing articles. They will practice teamwork, develop writing skills, and gain an understanding of the parts of a newspaper.

Materials Needed

• Chart paper or whiteboard

• Markers

• A few examples of newspapers (real or printed copies; digital examples are fine if a physical newspaper isn’t available)

• Lined paper or notebooks for student drafts

• Blank sheets for final newspaper pages (or poster-sized paper if available)

• Colored pencils or crayons for illustrations

Lesson Plan Outline

1. Engagement Activity: What’s in a Newspaper? (10 Minutes)

Say: “Good morning, class! Today, we’re going to become journalists and create our very own class newspaper! Newspapers are a great way to share important information, tell fun stories, and keep people up-to-date. First, let’s look at some examples and see what makes a good newspaper. Then, we’ll brainstorm ideas for what we want in ours. You’ll get to write articles, draw pictures, and even help design the layout. At the end of the lesson, we’ll put everything together and have our very own ‘Weekly News’ to share. Let’s get started!”

Do: Introduce the concept of newspapers and identify their main features. Display a few newspapers (real or printed copies). Briefly flip through the sections and highlight features like headlines, articles, photos, captions, and advertisements.

Discuss: Ask students:

• “What is the purpose of a newspaper?”

• “What kind of information do newspapers share?”

• “Have you ever read an article about your local community or school?”

Do: Create a brainstorm chart: Write “What Makes a Newspaper?” on the board or chart paper. As students contribute ideas, create a list of common features, such as headlines, stories, pictures, and sections (e.g., sports, weather, and opinion).

2. Instruction: Planning a Class Newspaper (15 Minutes)

Say: Guide students in planning the content and organization of a class newspaper. Tell the class that they will create their own “Weekly News” newspaper to share stories about what’s happening in the class, school, or world.

Discuss: Ask for ideas about what could be included in their newspaper, such as:

• News about recent class projects or activities

• Upcoming events (field trips, holidays, assemblies)

• Interviews with classmates or teachers

• Opinion pieces (“What’s the best recess activity?”)

• Comics, puzzles, or weather reports
  Write all suggestions on the board and categorize them into sections if possible (e.g., News, Features, Fun).

Do: Organize the class into small groups. Assign or let students choose roles:

• Reporters (write articles)

• Editors (review and polish writing)

• Illustrators (create pictures or diagrams for the stories)

3. Guided Practice: Writing and Drafting Articles (20 Minutes)

Say: Students practice drafting articles or features for the class newspaper.

Do: Write a quick example article on the board with the class, such as “Recess Rules Updated!” Include a catchy headline, a short paragraph of details (Who, What, When, Where, Why), and a picture caption.

Do: Each group works on their assigned sections. Reporters draft articles, editors review for spelling and clarity, and illustrators work on drawings to accompany the stories.

Say: Circulate around the room to offer guidance and check drafts. Provide tips like:

• “Start with an exciting fact or quote.”

• “Keep your sentences short and clear.”

• “Think about what your readers want to know.”

4. Independent Practice: Assembling the Newspaper (10 Minutes)

Say: Students combine their work into a cohesive newspaper format.

Do: Distribute blank paper (or poster-sized sheets for a larger format). Each group contributes their section to the newspaper by copying final drafts neatly onto the pages and adding illustrations.

Do: Arrange the pages in order, staple them, or display them on a bulletin board for the whole class to see.

5. Reflection and Wrap-Up: The Power of News (5 Minutes)

Say: Reflect on the experience of creating a newspaper and connect it to real-world skills.

Discuss: Ask students:

• “What was the most fun part about making a newspaper?”

• “Why is it important to share news and stories with others?”

• “How do you think reporters, editors, and artists work together in the real world?”

Do: Display the newspaper in a prominent place in the classroom or school hallway, and let students take turns sharing their favorite parts of the project.

Assessment

• Observe student participation in brainstorming and group activities.

• Review their articles and illustrations for creativity and effort.

• Check that they included key features of a newspaper (e.g., headlines, details in articles, captions).

• Assess teamwork during the newspaper assembly process.

Written by Rachel Jones
Education World Contributor
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