These curricular resources are designed to be customizable and fit into any classroom structre -- whether remote or in-class.
Lesson Sequence
Step 1: Have students read the Student Prompt and Project Guidelines and have parents/guardians sign the Materials Release Permission form (students must get parent signature to share work). Students can also follow this self-paced sequence self-paced sequence
Step 2: Have students view the Election 2020 showcase and complete the Analyze a Commentary worksheet
Step 3: Students pick an issue they care about. Students can use these resources if they are unsure what to write about.
Current Events and Debatable Resources Library (PBS Learning Media)
Top 5 Election 2020 Issues Teens Want to Talk About (According to Teens)
Issue Analysis Link Collection
Step 4: Writing -- Students can view this Example Script and use this Commentary Graphic Organizer to structure their writing (this is just a suggestion). Hand out this Journalistic Evidence Explainer to help students cite evidence like a journalist. Here is another graphic resource to help students understand the components of a commentary Commentary How To
Step 5: Feedback and Revision Peer-to-Peer Feedback Worksheet
Step 6: Get ready to record. Hand out these explainer worksheets to help students sound like a pro Mark Your Script for Narration, 6 Elements of Voicing a Script
Step 7: Recording -- Use these resources to help your students get their highest-level recordings Audio and Video Conventions, Video Styles With Myles
Audio Styles With Myles
Step 8: Have students submit a YouTube, Soundcloud, Vimeo or other streaming link into the submission portal on their dashboard. Make sure they add a unique title. Once they submit, you must approve the submission in your teacher dashboard under the Manage Submissions link. Only teacher-approved submissions can be published.
Other resources.
Teacher-Created Sample Materials
Sample Student Assignment Sequence (Samantha McMillan)
Sample Student One-Sheeter (Mia Gittlen)
Exemplars
Letters to the Next President Showcase (2016)
Selected Letters to the Next President (PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs)
More Resources
Program Information
Professional Development & Support
Sample Student Journey
