© Addie Williams

Newspaper Activity
Teacher’s Guide
In this activity, students create a newspaper based on a topic of their choice. Using either a
paper template (included) or using a digital template found online, students will create the front
page of a newspaper. Students will write a main article with a headline and add extra
newspaper features to complete their front page.

This resource is a great way to introduce the topic of EXPOSITORY writing as students will have to
write in 3rd person point of view, cover the 5 W’s, and share information through their article.
Students may not have seen a newspaper before so I find it helpful to bring one in to show
students their unique features.

Additional Ideas
• Have students add additional pages as an extension activity—current events, editorial, sports,
travel, fashion, or any other topics your students are interested in.
• Have students work in groups to complete a 3-4 page paper.
• Compile all of the newspapers into a classroom publication.
• Looks great as a bulletin board display, or to brighten up your classroom for an Open House or
Meet-the-Teacher Night.
• Students can theme their newspaper around a topic, make up their main story, or base their
newspaper around real events.
• Photocopy the template onto 11x17” paper for a bigger newspaper.
• Students may also complete this activity using online newspaper templates.

Common Core State Standards

Supports the following CCSS for 6-10th grade:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4—10.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to
task, purpose, and audience.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5—10.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by
planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

I hope you and your students enjoy this activity!

~Addie

© Addie Williams
 The Town Times
Volume 1, Issue 1
Due Date
Don’t Forget
• All newspaper articles are
written in third person. Ex.
Billy Taylor lost his chickens
during a storm last week.
• Newspaper articles answer
the 5 W’s…. Who, what,
where, when, why???
• Newspapers have editors
who look for and correct
grammar and spelling
mistakes… check yours!
Criteria
• Title Banner (name of
newspaper, date,)
• Creative, catchy headline for
the main story
• A main story of at least 150
words.
• Photo and caption for main
story
• Excellent grammar and
spelling
• Other features (ads, weather,
sports...)
• A theme that carries through
the whole paper
© Addie Williams
September 16, 2019
Newspaper Assignment
Maple Valley – The paper. They must and tells the full
local English class include a picture to go story.
has been given the with their main story.
They will be also be
exciting task of Their image may be
sure to spell-check
creating the front hand-drawn, from the
and edit their work so
page of their very own internet, or a maga-
that there are no
newspaper. zine. They must not
errors.
forget to include a
Students will be
caption.
the editors of their
own newspapers and Besides a main
will be responsible for story, (with a picture
developing a theme and headline)
for their newspaper. students must also
For example, the include some other
students could choose features in their
to do a newspaper on newspapers. For
snowboarding, music, example, ads, sports
travel, an animal, or weather, movie
another topic of review, or an idea of Ebony Porter won a Gold
interest. their choice. Medal at the 2019 World
Ski Championships held
Each student will Students will also in Switzerland over the
be creating just the ensure that their weekend. Read more on
page B2.
front page of their article covers the 5Ws
Creativity Counts!!
Students must keep in Stories can be funny,
mind that a newspaper silly, true, or entirely
should be interesting to made-up. However,
read. Nobody wants to they must answer the
read a boring article. five W’s—Who, What,
Try to think of a catchy Where, When, Why?
headline!
 Newspaper Planning Name:

WHAT happened? WHY did it happen?

WHEN / WHERE did it happen? WHO was involved?

Fun & Creative Ideas

© Addie Williams
 Newspaper Planning Name:

Newspaper / Theme Ideas

What Happened?

Why Did it Happen?

When / Where Did it Happen?

Who Did This Happen To?

© Addie Williams
 Writing a Newspaper Article
Journalists use the Inverted Pyramid, shown below, to help them write an engaging newspaper
article. Use the space below to help you plan your own by writing down short notes or ideas for
each part of your main article.

The Lead - The most important information is giving in the first paragraph. This includes the who,
what, where, when and how. Include a “hook” to draw your readers into the full story.

The Body - Additional information to expand on the information given in

your lead. Facts and details are revealed in order of importance.

The Tail - Extra details and

related information.

© Addie Williams
© Addie Williams
© Addie Williams
© Addie Williams
 Peer Editing
Read through the newspaper article and check off the criteria that have been met.

• Title Banner (name of newspaper, date) __________

• Creative, catchy headline for the main story __________

• A main story of at least 150 words __________

• Photo and caption for main story __________

• Excellent grammar and spelling __________

• Other features (ads, weather, sports...) __________

• A theme that carries through the whole paper __________

What do you like about the article?

What suggestions can you make?

Not Quite Yet Good Start You did it! Wow!

2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Main Article • Not written in 3rd • Written in 3rd • Written in 3rd

• May not be written in
person person. person
3rd person.
Ideas & • Main article is too • Interesting story with • Interesting and
• Minimal information
short / lacking good detail captivating story with
information information
and details
• Answered the 5 Ws specific details
• Missed some of the 5
• Missing most of the • Answered the 5 Ws in
Ws.
5 Ws detail

Style • Some sentences • Some sentence • Writing flows

• Used a variety of
Flow and are short and variety and more
sentence types and
smoothly and there
rhythm choppy or long and complex sentences are varied sentence
lengths
awkward • Used everyday, types and lengths
• Language is clear
• Basic, simple conversational • Language is clear,
and varied
language language varied and mature

Newspaper • Some attempt to • Well done layout, title

• Excellent layout, title
• Does not look like a banner, date etc.
make project look like banner, date etc.
newspaper • All criteria are
Presentation & • Missing many
a newspaper • All criteria are
included and done
Content • May be missing one included
criteria very well
or more criteria • Picture with a
• Picture—no caption • Picture with a clear
• Picture—no caption caption
caption

Conventions • Mostly well-edited

• Frequent errors • Errors distract from
and well-written • Well-edited and well-
make this article the writing.
spelling article. written article.
challenging to read. • More editing required.
grammar • Small errors do not • Few to no errors.
distract from writing.
© Addie Williams
 Newspaper Grading Rubric

Not Quite Yet Good Start You did it! Wow!

2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Main Article • Not written in 3rd • Written in 3rd • Written in 3rd

• May not be written in
person person. person
3rd person.
Ideas & • Main article is too • Interesting story with • Interesting and
• Minimal information
short / lacking good detail captivating story with
information information
and details
• Answered the 5 Ws specific details
• Missed some of the 5
• Missing most of the • Answered the 5 Ws in
Ws.
5 Ws detail

Style • Some sentences • Some sentence • Writing flows

• Used a variety of
Flow and are short and variety and more
sentence types and
smoothly and there
rhythm choppy or long and complex sentences are varied sentence
lengths
awkward • Used everyday, types and lengths
• Language is clear
• Basic, simple conversational • Language is clear,
and varied
language language varied and mature

Newspaper • Excellent layout, title

• Some attempt to • Well done layout, title
• Does not look like a banner, date etc.
make project look like banner, date etc.
Presentation & newspaper • All criteria are
a newspaper • All criteria are
• Missing many included and done
Content criteria
• May be missing one included
very well
or more criteria • Picture with a
• Picture—no caption • Picture with a clear
• Picture—no caption caption
caption

Conventions • Mostly well-edited

• Frequent errors • Errors distract from and well-written
• Well-edited and well-
make this article the writing. article.
spelling challenging to read. • More editing required. • Small errors do not
written article.
grammar • Few to no errors.
distract from writing.

Comments:

© Addie Williams
Thanks so much!

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This product is meant for single classroom / teacher use only —please
do NOT distribute to others. Thanks for respecting the hard work of
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~ Addie
Thanks to the following artists.