Now You Try
Virtual Option: Use this Padlet template to complete the worksheet in a more interactive way. Be sure to click the remake icon to make a copy of our template. If you are using Padlet for the first time, you can create a free account here: https://padlet.com.
STEP 1: Divide into pairs to complete this worksheet.
STEP 2: Instruct each group of students to identify their local news organizations. Are they aware of them? Then, instruct students to find two news stories they find interesting: one local and one national. This could be from a local news site, a social media platform, or a national news site like PBS NewsHour, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Google News, or Apple News. They will use this story to complete the worksheet.
STEP 3: Bringing the class back together, select students to share their news story and report their findings on what makes this story newsworthy.
BONUS: Ask students to identify the basic elements of information gathering to determine if the news story has them all: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY