Lesson Plans

Editor’s Pick

Trustee: Craig Flournoy
Subject: Civic Education, Government, Humanities, Journalism
Topic: Social Studies (Media)
Grade Level: 6-8
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. The Player can be downloaded for free at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/

    • Loose sheets of paper

    • Scissors

    • Markers

    • Tape

    • Flipchart sheets (optional)

    • Worksheets


Learning Objectives:

Students will
1. evaluate news items on their newsworthiness;

2. justify the selection of issues for news release;

3. discuss the power of editorial decision making; and

4. identify and evaluate various methods of presenting information.

PRE-VIEWING (10-15 minutes)

1. Ask the students about the current news and events. If it is possible to access online newspapers, let the class spend 4-5 minutes checking the news (give them recommended local and national news websites to visit). Go around the room checking their findings. If current events don’t surface, ask students when social issues (either local or national) become news-worthy and whether or not this is an issue of concern.

2. Ask the students if and when housing becomes news. Elicit 2-3 responses.

3. Tell the class that they are going to watch a short documentary about a reporter whose publications on housing were recognized with a Pulitzer Prize in 1986. Mention that after receiving the award he did not stop investigating the issue, and continues publishing on the topic today.

VIEWING & DISCUSSION (15-20 minutes)

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

2. Ask the students where in today’s newspapers they would place the story they have just watched. Why would they place it where they chose? As a class, discuss why and how some stories appear on the front pages, while others seem to be designated for the back pages and sections. Guide the discussion towards the role of editors.

APPLICATION (45-60 minutes)

1. Inform the class that in the following activity, they are going to practice being editors and making editorial decisions. Rearrange the class into groups of 3-4 students and distribute the WORKSHEET. Read the instructions together. During the activity, students should think of their peers as the target audience and evaluate the stories accordingly.


2. Allow 15-20 minutes for the groups to decide which issues they want to include. As they complete this activity, ask the students to agree on which stories will be their front page news and which ones should be designated for the back pages. You may also ask them to write a shorter, more concise title for each story.


3. To assist the groups in preparing their presentations, distribute paper, scissors, and markers so that students can write titles of their stories on separate sheets/slips of paper. If space permits, designate an area in the classroom where each group can paste their list.

    NOTE: Groups can write their lists on flipchart paper or bulletin board paper and post them on the wall.

4. As a class, listen to the group presentations paying special attention to the stories picked and reasons provided for the selection. Guide the debriefing discussion toward the power of editor’s pick.

5. Ask the students what – apart from the placement on front/back pages – draws the readers’ attention and makes them read a story. Guide the discussion towards the variety of methods used for presenting information (pictures, quotes, charts, etc). Ask the class to think back about the story Craig Flournoy broke and how they would present the story on separate and unequal housing – what pictures they would take, who they would interview and quote, what statistics they would need to support their reports, etc.

6. Wrap up the discussion with comments on how editorial choices and modes of presentation generate public discussion, foreground important issues, bring issues into the public consciousness, and/or may downplay the true importance of an issue. If the group is ready to discuss the responsibilities of media in a democracy, this may be a good lead to that topic.

HOMEWORK

1. Have the students make observations of their school life and bring a list of issues and topics that need to be addressed in their community. Students should also provide reasons why they think the issue needs to be addressed now rather than later.

2. Have the students explore a variety of information presentation methods and bring examples for the class to discuss.

ASSESSMENT

Students may be assessed on:

1. completing WORKSHEET; and

2. presentation skills.


  

Lessons for Craig Flournoy

  • 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.

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