Level: 8th Grade Social Studies
Time Alloted: Two weeks
New York State Standard: #1--History of the United States and New York State

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Introduction

Everyday citizens experienced the Great War in different ways. Whether they were soldiers, factory workers, nurses, or teenagers , everyone read newspapers to learn about the war. Our dependence on television and the Internet in 2006 is like the importance of the newspaper for those who lived during WWI.

Your job is to create a Great War Newspaper. You and your team will research, write, revise, and produce a small newspaper that covers many aspects of the war. These aspects can include battles, new technology, soldiers' lives, women's roles, and much more. Your newspaper will present information in a variety of formats, such as, articles, opinion pieces, political cartoons, obituaries, interviews, letters, maps, etc.

General Expectations from the Editor-in-Chief (a.k.a. the teacher)

• Work together as a newspaper staff of 2-4 people. Divide work evenly.
• Work independently and use the resources provided in the library and classroom.
• Use class time intelligently. Don't expect babysitting.
• Do your best and have fun. "Pulitzer Prizes" will be distributed--"best title," "best article," etc.

Resources, or, where do I find all of this information?

• Your textbook
• Library books and encyclopedias
• Teachers
• World Wide Web Favorites
  www.firstworldwar.com
  www.pbs.org/greatwar
  www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/w1frm.html

General Calendar: Stick to the schedule and make use of all class time.

Day 1: Library--Divide tasks; start research and notetaking independently
Day 2: Library--Research and notetaking independently
Day 3: In Class--**notes due**; Group conference time; notes checked
Day 4: Library/Computer Lab--Additional research, note-taking and writing
Day 5: Library--Last minute research and writing
Day 6: In Class--**writing due** Revisions in group
Day 7: Assemble newspapers in class
Day 8: Assemble newspapers in class
Day 9: Projects Due; Showcase papers & class vote for awards

Format Requirements:

• Individual staff members should type their writing pieces (computer time available)
• We will cut writing pieces and paste them into one newspaper (see calendar)
• Newspaper must have a title, index, and of course the staff members' names!
• All writing pieces must be appropriately titled and dated

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Guide to Required Writing Pieces
Personal Research Note Form
Evaluation Rubric