Mar. 5, 2008: Connect to Our World

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:

1. Create a newspaper front page that tells all about you. Draw "photos" of important events in your life. Write headlines that tell about the things you like to do.

2. Draw a large circle on a piece of paper. Divide the circle into three parts. On one part, paste newspaper words or pictures that tell about you as a person. On another section, paste words or pictures that tell about things you like to do outside of your home. On the last section, paste words and pictures that tell about something you like to read.

3. Look through the newspaper with a family member or friend. Each of you circle five headlines of stories you think you would like to read. Talk about your choices together. Then read at least one of the stories.

4. In which part of the newspaper would you look to find (a) the score of a local baseball game, (b) what¹s happening in a political race, (c) a toy that is on sale, and (d) the newspaper¹s opinion on an important issue?

5. Compare the print and online versions of your newspaper. Spend five minutes looking through each version. Then ask yourself these questions: Which version is easier to read? In which version is it easier to locate specific information or stories? Which version has the best photos? Which version shows what stories are the most important? Write a paragraph discussing why you prefer one version over the other.

This week's standards:

• Students read and understand a variety of texts. (Language Arts: Reading)
• Students explore factors that contribute to one¹s personal identity, such as interests, capabilities and perceptions. (Social Studies: Individual Development)
  
  

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)