Turn That Textbook Into Breaking News

Many students—whether they are gifted learners, striving readers, or children with ADHD—can quickly tire of the "typical" information-delivery system. In most cases, that delivery system is the textbook. While (well-written) textbooks are a wealth of knowledge and a key component of any good curriculum, they often become the only component. This makes little sense when we stop to consider just how significantly learning styles vary among students.

Today, we're going to explore a fun way to "flip the script" of the standard textbook. This activity works well with individual students, or with student pairs or groups. The idea is to take what a student is learning—or, if summer enrichment is the goal—to take what interests her and/or what she would like to know more about, and turn it into a "newscast." Core curriculum suddenly gets a lot more interesting when it's turned into breaking news!

First, work with your child to decide what he would like to cover in the newscast. There are nearly endless possibilities! A history lesson can be turned into a this-just-in, breaking-news segment, which will lead your child to add immediacy to an event that may have happened years or centuries ago. A technology segment could include scientific facts about making computer chips or safely using nuclear power. Great novels or age-appropriate plays can be covered in an "Entertainment" section. And weather? That's the perfect time to do a segment on cloud formations, the water cycle, or even global warming.

After your child has identified the areas she would like to cover in her newscast, the next step is to write a script. This script-writing component has the added benefit of being an excellent reading/literacy lesson. Writing a script requires comprehension of the material being adapted, so that it can be a) summarized, b) made more immediate (present tense usually works best), and c) recast using high-interest language. The script-writing process is a terrific opportunity for readers of all abilities to make text-to-text and text-to-world connections. (And the best part? It just happens to be fun!)

The newscast itself can be as simple or as high-tech as you and your child would like it to be. You can take turns reading the script at the kitchen table. Or, you can assemble props—like a weather map, or a diagram to hold up during the "technology" segment—to add a bit of verisimilitude to the activity. You could even add to the "newscast" feel by recording the segment!

The possibilities for this activity are limited only by time and imagination. Nearly any academic subject can be recast as breaking news, and when your child takes the time to transform the textbook, she'll find that comprehension and retention come far easier.

If you need to find a tutor who can help with ideas for making reading fun, you can find one here.