General information
Teaching with the newspaper in the classroom helps students to see the relevancy of their lessons as they apply to real life. The Deseret News will help to provide the sense and meaning that brain research tells us students need to help them retain information in long-term memory. Teaching with the newspaper lends itself to students' work with partners or groups, too.
Newspapers usually have something of interest to everyone. Most students like a few minutes just to look at whatever interests them, and this can give you a chance to take care of last minute details.
Help students understand the organization of the Deseret News, using the index on the front as a guide. Explain that each newspaper section has a letter designation and a page number, and each section begins with page 1. Note the content of each section and the order sections are in. (They are not always in alphabetical order because of how they are run on the press.)
Try a scavenger hunt, giving students a list of items to find to help them get acquainted with the paper. See the "Know Your Newspaper" worksheet for ideas. (Students can make up their own hunts and exchange with classmates or clip examples of headlines, datelines, etc. to label.)
For younger students
Give younger students only one section at a time to work with.
Consider stapling the newspaper sections along the left side to make a "book" that is easier to handle and keep in order.
You may want students to write names on papers and stack them to use again. The newspaper has enough in it for students to use as a text for several days!
Consider moving younger students' desks aside to let them spread out on the floor. Part of the fun of newspapers is being able to spread out, write on them, tear or cut them up and paste them.
Be prepared for some black to rub off! Plan time to wash hands afterward or have wet wipes available. You may want to have aprons or smocks for them to wear or encourage them not to wear white clothing.
Providing younger students with an envelope to keep small pieces of newspaper in when they are cutting things out may help them keep track of cut-out items until they are pasted down, and may help to eliminate some frustration.
Let your creativity loose! Use the newspaper to teach core standards or apply principles from textbooks. Students enjoy the fun and novelty of working out of a newspaper and scarcely recognize they're learning.
Most of all, HAVE FUN LEARNING with the Deseret News!
