Student Activity: Be a Journalist

DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Observe & Interview

You are going to be a journalist and write a news story about a day in the life of your family during the coronavirus. As a journalist, you are going to be objective and record your observations of what’s actually happening. As an objective journalist, you should not share your opinions.

• Journalist: someone who investigates and reports stories in the world.
• Objective: telling the facts of what happened (not opinion)
• Observations: looking at something carefully

(Download and print your own copy of this template!)

What did you see, hear, and even . . . smell today? Record 3 observations.

1.

3.

Next, interview at least one family member. Record their exact words.

1. How do you feel today? Why?

2. What do you think about what’s going on?

3. What do you hope will happen?

DIRECTIONS – Part 2 – Write a News Story

Next, take what you have observed and recorded in Part 1, and write a news story below describing what actually happened. Include at least one direct quote from an interview with a family member. A direct quote means you put quotes around their exact words. Use the sentence starters if you need ideas.

(Download and print your own copy of this template!)

Kelly Mendoza is Senior Director, Education Programs at Common Sense Education where she oversees education programming and content strategy, including the Digital Citizenship Curriculum, interactive games, and online professional development for schools. She has developed research-based curricula in digital citizenship, media literacy, information literacy, and social-emotional learning (SEL). She develops programs that help students and schools create a positive culture around learning and technology. She has also developed educational resources and curriculum for Lucas Learning, the Media Education Lab, and PBS Frontline. Kelly has a PhD in Media & Communication from Temple University. Follow her on Twitter: @kellymendoza