Before the newspapers
arrive, think about classroom management. Let school office staff
know that you expect to receive a bundle of newspapers. Designate
students to pick up the newspapers and bring them to your classroom.
Designate students in each class to give out and take up the newspapers
at the beginning and end of the class.
Make sure
students have enough room to work with the newspapers. Provide
tables and chairs or space on the floor or have students push
desks together. If space is a concern, direct students to pull
out the section they need and place the rest of the paper under
their desks. Or teach them the commuter fold used by people
who ride subways and read newspapers in tight space. Having students
fold their newspaper in half, thirds, fourths offers a quick,
simple fraction lesson.
If several classes use the same set of papers or if students use the newspapers for several days, stress that each student leave the newspaper sections in correct order for the next class's use.
Devise a way to encourage students to keep their newspapers in order. Number the newspapers and give students the same number. Give out and take up the newspapers in order. Or, have each student who uses a newspaper write his or her name on the paper. That way, you can keep track of who used the newspapers and students encourage each other to refold the newspapers.
After students complete their reading assignments, use the newspapers for activities that involve cutting. No one wants to read a newspaper with holes cut in it, so skimming, scanning and close reading first and then assign activities that involve cutting.
Have supplies available, such a scissors, glue sticks, construction paper, index cards, various highlighters and other markers and playdough and/or clay. Find out if your newspaper makes leftover newsprint available to its teachers. Students use different colored highlighters and markers to indicate parts of speech, main ideas, key words and different categories of foods, for example. They can write in margins and cut out examples to illustrate concepts. They can also illustrate stories, using the supplies you provide.
Devote bulletin board and other space to newspapers. Students can list new words or display photos or stories that relate to their classroom studies. Also post local, state, national and world maps on walls and bulletin boards, so that students can locate places mentioned in the newspaper. Displays can also feature front and editorial pages, labeled to reinforce the teaching of newspaper terms.
Reuse or recycle the newspapers. After you finish with the newspapers, share them with other teachers. Encourage students to read on their own and share their reading with their parents by sending the newspapers home. Or, set up a recycling center and have students assist you in that effort.
Newspaper ink does not rub off on hands as it once did. But, consider keeping a canister of pre-moistened wipes nearby or timing your use of the newspaper so that students can wash their hands afterwards.
