Search
  • Search
  • My Storyboards
https://sbt-www-us-east-v3.azurewebsites.net/lesson-plans/middle-school-projects/newspaper-project
Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Rubric
Activity Overview Accordion Arrow

Activity Overview


Perfect for fictional summaries or school newspapers, a newspaper project lets students get creative while recounting events. They're easily adapted to fit any subject, from Science to Social Studies to ELA!

Using one of the newspaper templates, students will create the front page of a newspaper. This example uses events from the popular novel, Elijah of Buxton but this project could be used for any book or topic! Like this example, students could recount a particular event in a book for ELA, but they could also create a newspaper project about a current or historical event for Social Studies or a new discovery or innovation for Science class. Students could even create a front page news story from their own imagination!

To pre-plan, the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, why) are helpful to think about as a guide. Students can write the answers to those questions using a graphic organizer as they gather facts and information.

For additional templates to include in this assignment, check out our Newspaper Poster and Newspaper Worksheet templates!


Template and Class Instructions Accordion Arrow

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Due Date:

Objective: Create the front page of a newspaper to recount an event.

Student Instructions:

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. Identify an important event from the topic or make one up!
  3. Write a captivating headline.
  4. Add appropriate characters, items, and scenes to create at least one appealing picture on the front page that helps illustrate your event.
  5. Write a description of the story in the text boxes.
  6. Save and exit when you're done.

Requirements:

  1. Headline
  2. Picture(s)
  3. Minimum one paragraph to describe the event

Lesson Plan Reference

Common Core Standards
  • CCSS: RL.7.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text
  • CCSS: RL.7.3 - Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot)
  • CCSS: RI.7.1 - Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
  • ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
  • ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
  • ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2.B - Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaTexasUtah

Rubric Accordion Arrow

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Newspaper Front Page
Students will re-tell key events from the story using a Newspaper front page as a template. They will add a catchy headline, create images and write descriptions for each to imitate the look of the front page of a newspaper highlighting the key events of the story.
Proficient
7 Points
Emerging
4 Points
Beginning
1 Points
Headline and Descriptions
Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences.
The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief.
The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted.
Illustrations
The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations.
The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed.
The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story.
Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation
Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.
Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text.
Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.


Activity Overview


Perfect for fictional summaries or school newspapers, a newspaper project lets students get creative while recounting events. They're easily adapted to fit any subject, from Science to Social Studies to ELA!

Using one of the newspaper templates, students will create the front page of a newspaper. This example uses events from the popular novel, Elijah of Buxton but this project could be used for any book or topic! Like this example, students could recount a particular event in a book for ELA, but they could also create a newspaper project about a current or historical event for Social Studies or a new discovery or innovation for Science class. Students could even create a front page news story from their own imagination!

To pre-plan, the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, why) are helpful to think about as a guide. Students can write the answers to those questions using a graphic organizer as they gather facts and information.

For additional templates to include in this assignment, check out our Newspaper Poster and Newspaper Worksheet templates!


Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Due Date:

Objective: Create the front page of a newspaper to recount an event.

Student Instructions:

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. Identify an important event from the topic or make one up!
  3. Write a captivating headline.
  4. Add appropriate characters, items, and scenes to create at least one appealing picture on the front page that helps illustrate your event.
  5. Write a description of the story in the text boxes.
  6. Save and exit when you're done.

Requirements:

  1. Headline
  2. Picture(s)
  3. Minimum one paragraph to describe the event

Lesson Plan Reference

Common Core Standards
  • CCSS: RL.7.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text
  • CCSS: RL.7.3 - Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot)
  • CCSS: RI.7.1 - Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
  • ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
  • ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
  • ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2.B - Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaTexasUtah

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Newspaper Front Page
Students will re-tell key events from the story using a Newspaper front page as a template. They will add a catchy headline, create images and write descriptions for each to imitate the look of the front page of a newspaper highlighting the key events of the story.
Proficient
7 Points
Emerging
4 Points
Beginning
1 Points
Headline and Descriptions
Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences.
The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief.
The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted.
Illustrations
The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations.
The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed.
The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story.
Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation
Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.
Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text.
Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.





Teachers & Students Love Us

Pricing for Schools & Districts

Introductory School Offer
Includes:
  • 1 School
  • 5 Teachers for One Year
  • 1 Hour of Virtual PD

30 Day Money Back Guarantee • New Customers Only • Full Price After Introductory Offer • Access is for 1 Calendar Year


*(This Will Start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
https://sbt-www-us-east-v3.azurewebsites.net/lesson-plans/middle-school-projects/newspaper-project
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Over 30 Million Storyboards Created
No Downloads, No Credit Card, and No Login Needed to Try!
Storyboard That Family

We use cookies so you get the best experience, Privacy Policy