Lesson Plan #: AELP-JNL0006
Newspaper Editorial Project
An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Submitted by:
Cheryl Bolton
Email:
clbolt44@hotmail.com
School/University/Affiliation:
Woodrow Wilson HS, Camden, NJ
Date:
March 2, 1999
Grade Level(s):
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subject(s):
Duration:
8 weeks- Use as a homework assignment.
Description:
This is a long-term project using newspaper editorials to focus on analyzing persuasive text.
Goals:
To expose students to persuasive text through the use of newspaper editorials.
Objectives:
1. To analyze a newspaper editorial.
2. To identify main ideas, facts and opinions, and author's viewpoint.
3. To summarize information.
4. To respond, in writing, to an editorial.
Materials:
- current newspapers
- folder
Procedure:
Each week, students will read the editorial section of the newspaper and choose one article for the project. They will prepare an essay that summarizes the main ideas, identifies the author's point of view, and gives their own opinion on the topic. Each article and essay should be kept in a folder and labeled with the date and name of the newspaper. At the conclusion of the project, students will choose one article to respond to as a "Letter To The Editor". They may send their response to the newspaper to be published.
Assessment:
The total project is equal to 200 points (25 points per article). The "Letter To The Editor" may be graded separately or given as extra credit.