Lesson Plans

Lines and Leads

Trustee: Craig Flournoy
Subject: Civic Education, English/ESL (upper-intermediate), Humanities, Journalism
Topic: Social Studies (News/Print Media)
Grade Level: 9-12
Time: 90 minutes

Materials:

• Computer with internet access, external speakers, and a LCD projector OR access to a computer lab with Internet access and headphones for each student

• Updated Media Player recommended. Download QuickTime. Problems playing? Check our Media Help page.

• Student Worksheets (MS Word, PDF)

• 10-12 newspaper or magazine articles with the lead-in parts blacked out. ATTENTION: Keep a clean copy for yourself.

• Lesson Plan (MS Word, PDF)

Learning Objectives:

Students will
1. make a distinction between the different parts of a new article;

2. identify keywords and phrases of a short news story;

3. write lead-in paragraphs; and

4. evaluate strengths and weaknesses of various composition and stylistic choices.

PRE-VIEWING (10-15 minutes)

1. Ask students what part of the newspaper they usually read and how they decide which part to read. Elicit 2-3 responses.

2. On the board, write the following words: a title, a headline, a punch line, a lead. Ask students to define and/or explain the difference between them.

3. Ask students if newspaper headlines make them want to read the whole story. Elicit 2-3 examples of recent headlines/events. Ask students if they have ever come across a mismatch between a newspaper headline and the story.

4. Distribute WORKSHEET 1. Instruct students to match headlines and short extracts from news articles. For advanced groups, set a time limit (60-90 sec). Check the answers and ask the students to go back to extract and underline words and phrases that helped them decide on the match.

5. On the board, write 2-3 titles of the articles featured in the video. Ask the class to predict what the story is going to be about. Elicit 2-3 responses.

NOTE: The camera captures seven different articles published by Craig Flournoy and his co-author. For this activity we recommend using the following three: “Neglect in the Providence Project,” US Has Refused to Enforce Housing Laws,” and “White Projects Have Better Services, Amenities.”

VIEWING & DISCUSSION (10 minutes)

1. As a class, watch Craig Flournoy’s video, which can be accessed at www.americantrusteesproject.org. If you have difficulties accessing the videos, please visit our Media Help page.

2. Ask the students if any of their predictions were correct.

APPLICATION (45-50 minutes)

1. Ask the students how they would start an article on the topic of segregated housing. Brainstorm ideas. Distribute WORKSHEET 2, and go over it paying attention to examples that have not surfaced during the brainstorm session. Discuss if and how different leads may shift the focus of the story.

2. Ask students which leads they see more often and which ones are rare, which ones they prefer and which ones turn off their interest rather than promote it.

3. Re-organized the class into small groups of 2-3 and tell the groups that they are going to practice creating a good lead for various articles. Distribute articles with lead-in parts blacked out. Allow time for students to read their articles, discuss the type of lead-in to use, and complete their writing.

Note: You may distribute the same article to several groups instructing each group to write for a specific audience and /or publication: school newspaper, youth magazine, a national weekly, etc.

4. Ask volunteers from each group to read aloud their lead-in parts.

5. If time permits, compare students’ work with what was originally published. Discuss strengths and weakness of choices.

ASSESSMENT
Students may be assessed on:

1. completion of WORKSHEET 1; and
2. writing skills.

• Nominate An American Trustee
  
  Trustees: All
  Grade Level: 9-12
  Time:5-6 45 minutes classes
  Description:The students will define community leadership, conduct library and internet research, write a report on a community leader and submit the nominee on the website.
  
  
• News Abuse
  
  Trustee: Craig Flournoy
  Grade Level: 9-12
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will interview peers about sources of news, conduct a class survey, write a survey report, and express agreement/disagreement with an opinion.
  
  
• Information on The Side
  
  Trustee: Craig Flournoy
  Grade Level: 6-8
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will identify ways of presenting print information while recognizing effects on audiences, design features to highlight, and present and defend their choice.
  
  
• Lines and Leads
  
  Trustee: Craig Flournoy
  Grade Level: 9-12
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will read, analyze, and write headlines and lead lines for newspaper articles.
  
  
• It's All in the Head(lines)
  
  Trustee: Craig Flournoy
  Grade Level: 6-8
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will read, analyze, distinguish between news of various scope, and predict the main points of a news story.
  
  
• Editor's Pick
  
  Trustee: Craig Flournoy
  Grade Level: 6-8
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will make editorial decisions and present their findings.
  
  

AND if desired,
Download plug-in to view MS Office content