5th and 6th Grade Current Events Learning the Correct Format for Writing a Current Events Article By Mr. Mild

How to Write a Current Event Parts of the Newspaper Due Dates and Categories Current Events Rubric Setting Up Your Current Event Paper Main Idea and Supporting Details Writing the Summary Writing the Reaction to Your Article Writing the Bibliography This year you will be required to read the newspaper, select a current event of interest or concern to you, and write a summary of the article and your reaction to it. You will be required to complete a paper by the due date listed in your Current Events packet. Summaries must be handed in to me on the due date in order to receive full credit. They will be graded according to the Current Events Rubric you received from me. Make sure you follow the guidelines given to you.

Parts of the Newspaper Etc…….. There are many parts to a newspaper that you must be familiar with to complete your current events article. Using your newspaper, find the following text features in your newspaper: Index Headline Subheading Byline Lead Captions Wire Service Current Event Etc……..

Due Dates and Categories Please keep in mind that you will want to select an article with some “meat” in it. If you select a one or two paragraph article, it will be hard for you to write a strong reaction!! January 30th – State and Local News -Find and review an article that is related to a state or local event on the topic of Government. OR Find an article about an event that has taken place recently. It can be local, regional, state, national or international. --- Resources: The Tribune Chronicle, Youngstown Vindicator, Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Current Events Rubric 4 3 2 1 1X 2X 3X Weight Writing: Reading: Total: Article Components-Your name, date, original article & date, bibliography All required elements are presented exceptionally well. All required elements are present. Some required elements are missing. Several required elements are missing. 1X Appearance/ Organization Typed, neat, well organized, edited, and visually appealing. "WOW!" Neatly handwritten or typed, edited, and organized according to directions. Neatly handwritten or typed, but needs organization and editing. Handwritten and appears sloppy. Needs editing. READING Summary - Written as a summary, including, who, what, where, when, why, how Summary describes article clearly and in great detail using own words. Summary clearly describes article in own words. Summary describes article, but missing some information and/or is not in own words. Summary describes article, but missing vital information. 2X Reaction - Thoughtful, thorough, with supporting evidence. Conclusion is thoughtful, thorough, and includes evidence to support reaction. Conclusion includes evidence to support reaction. Conclusion includes what was learned, but lacks evidence to support reaction. Conclusion is vague and lacks focus. 3X Writing: Reading: Total: A+/- 26-28 B+/- 24-25 C+/- 21-23 D+/- 17-20 F 0-16

Setting Up Your Current Event Paper Article Components * Cut out or make a copy of your entire article. Tape the entire article to a piece of regular paper. This will be the first page of your Current Events paper. * Write your name, grade, assignment (Current Events #1), and due date in the upper right corner of the first page, which has your article attached to it. Please DO NOT make the page bigger then a regular piece of paper. This may require that you do some cutting and pasting to make it fit. * Use another page to write your summary, reaction, and bibliography. Your first sentence of your summary should note the name of the newspaper, date of issue, author, and name of article. This will not count as one of your 5 - 7 sentences. * At the end of your summary and reaction, include the bibliography information for your article. Appearance/Organization * Paper should be neatly written or typed * Organized according to directions * Edited for spelling and mechanics.

Main Idea and Supporting Details When reading for a MAIN IDEA Of a passage, you need the POINT Or the LIFE LESSON Of the selection. When reading for DETAILS Of a passage, you need search for WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY.

Writing the Summary In your own words, write a brief summary (5 - 7 sentences) of the article. Remember to include the 5 W≠s (who, what, where, when, and why, if applicable). (Refer to the examples we have done as a class at the beginning of the year to help refresh your memory.) When writing your summary, make sure you answer the following questions: Who is involved What happened? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did it happen?

Writing the reaction to your article Your reaction to the article needs to include one or more of the following: a. Your thoughts about the article b. Why this article interests you c. Agreement or disagreement with the events/article d. Effects on you, our community, or state, now or in the future e. Possible remedies or solutions to problem f. Comparisons to other articles or events you have read attended that a similar to this information Make sure that this is a paragraph. Use examples from the story to support your point of view. This IS NOT a one sentence response!! (Refer to the examples we have done as a class at the beginning of the year to help refresh your memory.)

Writing the Bibliography Writing Bibliographies for a Newspaper Article WITH AN AUTHOR Author’s last name, author’s first name. “title of the article.” Title of the Newspaper number day of the month name of month year: page numbers, including section. Example Poniewozik, James. “TV Makes a Too-Close Call.” Time 20 Nov. 2000: 70 - 71. WITHOUT AN AUTHOR “title of the article.” Title of the Newspaper number day of the month name of month year: page numbers, including section. “Maine, National SAT Averages Remain Unchanged.” Bangor Daily News 29 Aug. 2001: A9.