Maycomb News

MAYCOMB NEWS

Description: 
You have just be given the prime position of writer/editor at Maycomb News in Maycomb County Alabama. You will be to writing a newspaper article about people or events in "To Kill A Mockingbird." You will need to have a headline, a lead, and know the who, what, where, when, why and how of the event.


Procedures:
  1. There are different types and elements of any news article. Types include tabloid, obituary, straight news and many others. Visit Media Awareness Network  (http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/toolkit_resources/tipsheets/writing_news_story.cfm) for additional info on news writing.
  2. Think about the following questions that you will address in your article concerning that event:
    Who was involved?
    What happened? To whom did it happen?
    Where did it happen?
    When did it happen?
    Why did it happen?
    How did it happen?
  3. Using the answers to the questions create a lead and headline for the event. 
  4. Write a newspaper article on an event occurring in the book. Include a picture or visual with the article. 
  5. Students will be selected to read their articles aloud to the class. Everyone should be prepared to read his or her article.
Assessment:
You will be given a detailed rubric in class with the following grading criteria: 
  • Accuracy of Facts (Content)
  • Focus on Assigned Topic (Organization)
  • Creativity (Original / Unique)
  • Illustration/Visual
  • Grammar/Mechanics (MUGS)







Work Cited: 
 Armenta, Kelly. An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan. 1994. University of Texas at El Paso. 30, Jan. 2011. 
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Language_Arts/Literature/LIT0013.html