2nd Grade Writing Lesson 34: Create a Mini Classroom Newspaper

Objective

I can create a mini classroom newspaper with a title, a headline, a byline, and short news sentences that include important details.

Materials

Pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (primary lines preferred)

Mini-lesson — News writing is short and clear

A newspaper shares news. In a classroom newspaper, the “news” can be about school, class events, or fun facts. News writing is usually short and clear.

Newspaper parts

Newspaper title: the name of your paper
Headline: the big title for one article
Byline: who wrote it (By Ava.)
Date: when it was written

News sentence checklist

Who? What happened?
Where? When?
Write 2–4 short sentences.

Quick check: "Did I include the important details in short sentences?"

Guided Practice — Practice newspaper lines

Choose 3 sentences from the Trace menu and copy them neatly on paper. Then use the Tracing Pad to practice words, sentences, and marks.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build a mini newspaper

Build each newspaper line.

TodayClassNews

Headline:FieldDayFun

ByAva.

Date:March6,2026.

OurclasshadFieldDaytoday.

Weranracesonthefield.

Everyonecheeredforfriends.

SportsSection:

LunchNews:PizzaDay!

Thankyouforreadingournews.

Quick Check — Newspapers

Choose the best answer.

What does a newspaper do?

tells only jokes shares news and information gives math answers

What is the newspaper title?

the name of the paper the writer’s name the date

What is a headline?

the paper size the eraser the big title of an article

What does a byline tell?

the weather who wrote it the price

Why add a date?

to show when it was written to hide information to make it longer

What kind of sentences work best in news?

very long sentences only no sentences at all short, clear sentences

Which details help a news sentence?

only a color who, what, where, when only a rhyme

What does a section label do?

tells the topic fixes spelling changes the weather

Which one looks like a headline?

I wrote quietly at home. Please pass the pencil. Pizza Day!

What should your mini newspaper include?

only a drawing title, headline, byline, and news only a list of names

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Includes title, headline, byline, and date Writes short, clear news sentences Includes important details (who/what/where/when) Uses capitals and punctuation correctly

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can make a mini newspaper. 🙂 I can do it sometimes, but I need more practice. 😅 Newspapers still feel tricky.

I will practice…

Writing a headline Adding who/what/where/when Capitals and punctuation