This role-play activity gets students to explore how organisms maintain homeostasis and how organisms are classified. Students will make their own television news reports to present to the class. In small groups students will consider what makes a good news report and create their own, taking on roles of newsreader, correspondent and interviewee.
Number of students: 3+
Equipment: Computer with internet access, projector, paper, pens, film camera (optional)
Resources: Picture cards, Fusion book, Holt Technology book, McDougal Littell
News Story Objective: The article will cover a news event that will later be delivered in front of the camera as part of a news show.
News Story Evidence: The objective will be evident if the article establishes a clear purpose with supporting details, includes the 5w’s for a News piece or accuracy and clear reasoning in an editorial.
Here are some things to consider when I am grading your work.
Analysis: How well does the article reflect an understanding of the topic?
Evidence: Is there enough information given to prove your points?
Organization – Does the news report flow from beginning to end? Is the interest piqued at the beginning of the article and is the article ended in an interesting or summed up matter?
Interest – Is it written in a way that would interest an audience?
Day 1- Tuesday, October 25, 2011
1. Brainstorm (pick 3 topics)
One member of the group is the Newsreader; the other members of the group will be reporters, interviewers and people who are witnesses, correspondents, interviewers & interviewee, etc.
Possible Topics: / Sample Activities to include in Report2.5 How do organisms maintain homeostasis?
2.5 How do cells get energy?
2.5 How do cells divide?
2.5 How do cells exchange materials?
2.6 How do scientists know living things are related?
2.6 How are living things named?
2.6 What are the levels of classification?
2.6 What are the three domains?
2.6 What kingdoms are in Eukarya?
2.6 How can organisms be identified? / Special report
Breaking news
Interviews
Local news
Sports
Weather
Commercials
Topic 1: ______
Who/what is involved:______
Why is it important or interesting? ______
What happened? ______
Where did it occur? ______
Props needed ______
What will the cue cards say? ______
Topic 2: ______
Who/what is involved:______
Why is it important or interesting? ______
What happened? ______
Where did it occur? ______
Props needed ______
What will the cue cards say? ______
Topic 3: ______
Who/what is involved:______
Why is it important or interesting? ______
What happened? ______
Where did it occur? ______
Props needed ______
What will the cue cards say? ______
2. Discuss possible props
a. Discuss backgrounds
b. Make a list of materials needed and who will bring them
3. Research the topics and begin to create your script. Include the following factors:
a. What (is the story about)
b. Why (is it important/interesting)
c. When (did it occur)
d. Where (did it occur)
e. Who (did it affect or who is involved)
Day 2- Wednesday, October 26, 2011
1. Continue writing the script
Sample Sample OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT:
IT'S TIME FOR THE WDMS NEWS WITH ______,
name of NEWSCASTER A
______, AND ______REPORTING.
name of NEWSCASTER B name of NEWSCASTER C
Today's top stories:
TOPIC 1
TOPIC 2
TOPIC 3
Day 3- Thursday, October 27, 2011- Begin Filming *Remember, everyone should film on this day. So while a group is filming, then you should be working on practicing your lines.