Created by Connie Campbell Classroom newspapers are exciting ways to share what is going on in your classroom with others. Newspapers can be sent home each day with students, if you budget permits, or published online. Classroom newspapers are a great way to answer the age-old question, “What did you do at school today?”

More and more families now have access to the Internet, so an inexpensive way to share your newspaper is to put it online. Follow these simple steps to create exciting electronic publications. Using a Word Processor Getting Started Putting It Together Newsworthy Sites Creating An Electronic Newspaper Finding Web Space Related Links Jefferson County Schools

1.Using a word processor A word processor, such as Microsoft Word, can be utilized to create your classroom newspaper file. The newspaper can be printed and sent home with students. A newspaper template is included here.newspaper template

2.Getting Started Present the newspaper template on a large screen TV monitor. Brainstorm together on the name of the class newspaper. Several language arts objectives can be included in the creation of the newspaper: Ability to use oral language to bring meaning to what is observed, felt, heard, and read through questioning and discussion Interest and ability to express ideas, thoughts, and feelings in writing to self and others Awareness of purposes for proofreading, editing, and revising in the writing process Ability to read for meaning by integrating all cueing systems Awareness of, and respect for, the similarities and differences of cultures, lifestyles, and experiences portrayed in literature. Summarizing and sequencing of events Development of paragraph utilizing main idea and supporting statements Distinguishing fact and opinion

3.Putting it together After a name for your newspaper has been selected visit a news site on the web and select a story for your focus. Students will read and discuss the story from the web site and then summarize and develop a paragraph based on the story. As they dictate, type the newspaper on the computer connected to the TV. After the web resource has been utilized, encourage students to relate classroom events that would be of importance to their readers. Pictures can also be downloaded from the web or pictures can be taken with digital cameras. If you do plan to publish your paper online, be sure to follow your school systems policy for posting students pictures on the web.downloaded

Newsworthy sites There are many wonderful sites on the web for students to learn about news headlines. The following links provide but a few: KidNews is a collection of kid-created daily news items, features, creative writing, and sports news. Ages 8-14.KidNews New York Times Student Connection provides opportunities for students to learn new words while reading today's news summaries. Ages 8-12.New York Times Student Connection Time for Kids offers weekly headline news to help kids stay on top of current events. Ages 8-14.Time for Kids Yahooligans! News contains weekly kidworthy news. All ages.Yahooligans! News Discovery News Online is the site for the hottest science-related news stories. All ages.Discovery News Online Sports Illustrated for Kids will fill you in on the hottest sports news. All ages.Sports Illustrated for Kids Children's Express is a monthly newsmagazine written by and for children with a focus on cultural and political stories. Ages 8-14.Children's Express CNN News (not a child’s news site, but one of the best!)CNN News

Creating an electronic newspaper After the newspaper has been typed and saved in your word processor, it can be printed and sent home if your budget permits. Another way to economically share you paper is by creating an electronic publication. If you are using MS Word, you can save your document as a html file. Another way to transfer your document is to copy and paste it into a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program such as Netscape Composer.Netscape Composer Directions can be found at

Finding Web Space Your newspaper is now ready to upload to the web. If you have a personal ISP (Internet Service Provider) you may already have web space, however, if you do not, there are many places on the web that provide free space. Many educational institutions provide space so check with your system. FREE web space! Web Space One widely used web site is Geocities. The FTP (fileGeocitiesFTP Transfer protocol) process to Geocities is fairly simple and fast.

Related Links Our Classroom Newspapers Classroom Newspaper Workshop Newspapers of the World on the Internet Ask ERIC Current Events Lesson Plans Using Newspapers in the Classroom Newspapers in Education Student Newspapers on the Web