Dec. 3, 2008: Writing Is Exciting!
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. Shop for writers' "tools"
in the newspaper.With a friend, go through newspaper ads and circle any
items a writer might use. Put a star by those items you already have in
your house. Put a check by the three items you think are the most important
for a writer.
2. The "byline" on
a newspaper story gives the name of the person who wrote the story. Divide
a piece of paper into four sections. Label the sections: News, Sports,
Entertainment and Business. Now cut out writers¹ bylines from the
newspaper and paste them in the section that matches the type of story
they wrote. Which section has the most identified writers? Which section
has the least number of writers?
3. Select two newspaper stories
that you think could make a difference in other people¹s lives. Paste
each headline at the top of a piece of paper. Under each headline, write
several sentences telling why you think the story is important and how
it could make a difference.
4. How have these behaviors
helped the writers in today¹s Mini Page: (a) reading, (b) keeping
a journal, (c) watching old movies and TV shows, and (d) being curious?
5. Identify a newspaper headline that sounds like it would make a good story idea for a TV show. Create an outline for the TV show. First, write one sentence giving an overview of the show -- will it be an action show, comedy or drama? Write character profiles for at least two characters that would be in your show. Finally, write an outline of one episode of the show. Describe the show's opening scenes. Then describe what happens in the main part of the show. Finally, describe how the show will end. Share your story idea with family members or friends.
This week's standards:
- Students identify abilities and skills associated with various careers. (Career Education)
- Students identify
forms and elements of literature. (Language Arts:Reading)
(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)
