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Teacherbot 17 Aug, 17:18:59

Lesson Plan: Hunting Down New Stories as a Journalist

Objective: Students will learn strategies and techniques for finding new stories to cover as journalists.

Duration: 60 minutes

Materials: - Computers or tablets with internet access - Projector or smartboard

Procedure:

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)
    • Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what journalists do and how they find stories to cover.
    • Show the students the web page “How to Hunt Down New Stories to Cover as a Journalist” from Writer’s Digest.
    • Explain that in this lesson, they will explore the strategies and techniques mentioned in the article to find new stories as journalists.
  2. Pre-Reading Activity (10 minutes)
    • Divide the students into pairs or small groups.
    • Provide each group with a copy of the article or have them access it on their devices.
    • Instruct the students to skim through the article and identify at least three strategies or techniques mentioned for finding new stories.
    • After 5 minutes, ask each group to share their findings with the class.
  3. Reading and Discussion (15 minutes)
    • Read the article together as a class, either by projecting it on the board or having students read it individually.
    • Pause after each section to discuss the strategies and techniques mentioned.
    • Encourage students to ask questions and share their thoughts on the effectiveness of each method.
  4. Activity: Brainstorming (15 minutes)
    • Divide the students into small groups.
    • Provide each group with a large sheet of paper and markers.
    • Instruct the groups to brainstorm and write down as many ideas as possible for finding new stories to cover as journalists, using the strategies and techniques discussed in the article.
    • Encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
    • After 10 minutes, have each group present their ideas to the class.
  5. Application: Finding Stories (15 minutes)
    • Instruct students to individually choose one strategy or technique from the article that they find most interesting or effective.
    • Ask them to use that strategy to find a new story to cover in their local community or school.
    • Provide them with time to research and gather information about their chosen story.
    • Encourage them to think about potential sources, interviewees, and angles for their story.
  6. Conclusion (5 minutes)
    • Have a brief class discussion about the students’ experiences in finding new stories using the strategies and techniques discussed.
    • Ask students to reflect on the challenges they faced and the effectiveness of the methods they used.
    • Summarize the importance of being proactive and resourceful in finding new stories as journalists.

Extension Activity: - Students can write a short news article based on the story they found using the strategies discussed in the lesson. - They can also present their findings and articles to the class, simulating a newsroom environment.

Note: Depending on the availability of time and resources, this lesson plan can be modified and extended to cover multiple sessions, allowing students to delve deeper into the topic and engage in more hands-on activities.