The Student Newspaper on World War I

View: Example of Student Newspaper about WWI

Goal: To allow students to learn about WW I through the publication of a completely student-compiled newspaper. This was the culminating project for students based on our study of World War I. This unit was achieved in parallel with traditional lecture and reading assignments. Students worked in groups to research, prepare and complete project.

Show Me Standards:

• CA4 writing formally ( such as reports, narratives, essays) and informally ( such as outlines, notes)
• CA3 reading and evaluating nonfiction works and material ( such as biographies, newspapers, technical manuals)
• SS2 continuity and change in the history of Missouri, the United States and the world
• SS7 the use of tools of social science inquiry (such as surveys, statistics, maps, documents)

Time frame needed:

Learning Experiences:

Causes, practices and effects of war from a World War I perspective

Studying major aspects of World War I

Use of primary sources (advertisements, personal letters, cartoons, newspaper articles, Treaty of Versailles)

Technology through layout, editing, and publishing of a newspaper

Working in a hierarchy, role- playing, meeting deadlines etc.

Technology and Materials needed:

• Computer with publishing capabilities (Claris Works, Rich Text, etc.)
• Scanner
• Primary sources on WW I

Primary sources used:

• Truman Library B-Files, Project WhistleStop site, Letters from grandparents and other relatives

Evaluation: This is a great alternative to traditional lecture-style of passing on information. The students took pride and ownership over what they were learning. This had positive and negative consequences. Students did become stressed. They had to rely on others to fulfill their roles. They had to meet a strict deadline. Thus, there were a few individuals who took on the brunt of the work, while others did not do as much. This is a project where individual success takes a back seat to the end product. As a result, it is difficult to grade traditionally (See instructions). I would have put a little more focus and background information at the beginning of the project. However, I wanted them to research on their own and most of them did well in this regard. The reliance on the computers is difficult as it is an absolute necessity to have students who know how to edit and publish. Those people get most of the work put on their shoulders, so capable people are needed. The students did an excellent job when I tested them on World War I at a later date. Overall, the project was a success.