Civics and Economics
Smart’s Mill CNN Student News
Name:____________________________
Block:______ Date: ______
What’s the plan? You will be assigned to a broadcasting group that will need to create a news script. For the
broadcasting, you will assign roles to each person in your group. Read through your script with each person in the group
playing his or her role. Once you’ve had a chance to practice the script, your group will be given a camera to record your
group’s version of Smart’s Mill CNN Student News.
What to include in the script?
 Introduction to your broadcast
 3 Different activities from your 8th grade year: not limited to the following
8th grade dance; the play; Backyard Bash; Sports; Field trips; Clubs; Extracurricular activities
 An “interview” with at least one student/teacher/administrator: filmed
 Debate discussed
 At least one world event that happened this school year
 At least one US event that happened this school year
 At least one Supreme Court Case from the Supreme Court project showing both sides of the case; with
commentary
 Commercial—be creative!
 Closing to the broadcast
 Make sure every group member has a speaking part!
 Each segment needs to be at least 30 seconds
 The total time of your broadcast should be at least 5 minutes long
Before you are allowed to start recording, you must show the script to your teacher. Make sure every group member
has one speaking part. Once you have the teacher’s approval, you can begin practicing.
May 20, 21: Getting the information and beginning the individualized reporting
May 20- 28: Individuals working on Broadcast components
May 29, June 1: Everything from the individualized components is due at the beginning of class; groups assigned;
components of the broadcast picked from the groups contribution.
June 1-5: Writing the script for the broadcast; roles assigned;
June 8, 9: Script and preliminary broadcast ready for teacher approval; begin practicing the broadcasting /recording
June 15, 16: We will be WATCHING all the groups’ news clips!
Civics and Economics
Name:____________________________
Block:______ Date: ______
Group Broadcasting Rubric:
o
Script handed in on time
o
Introduction to the broadcast
o
3 different activities from the school year
o
Interview recorded
o
Debate discussed
o
One US event
o
One World event
o
Supreme Court Case decision discussed
o
Commercial
o
Closing
o
Everyone had an equal amount of broadcasting time
Sample Script
News Anchor: Hello and welcome to Smart’s Mill Middle School’s News. We are at the end of the school year here at
Smart’s and numerous things have happened this year. We have a lot to cover in today’s news broadcast. First, I will turn
it over to my colleague who is going to tell us about the 8th grade dance.
News person: Thank you, Tom. The theme for the 8th grade dance this year was Mardi Gras. I’m here with Annie who is
going to give us some first-hand thoughts about what the dance was like. Annie, what was your favorite thing about the
dance?
Annie: It was fun to see everyone dressed up.
News person: Would you recommend going to the 8th grade dance to next year’s 8th graders?
Annie: Oh yeah, totally. It was a great time with friends.
Civics and Economics
Name:____________________________
Block:______ Date: ______
News person: There you go Bob. You heard it from the source – 7th graders get your tickets in advance for next year’s
dance.
News Anchor: Thank you, Tom. Sounds like a great time. This year Smart’s had a musical. It was called Grease, Jr. It
seemed very successful. We are going to Mary to find out more about the play.
Mary: Thanks, Bob. The musical at Smart’s was very successful this year. The musical was put on for 4 nights, and it was
a packed house each and every night. Let’s talk to a student who took part in the play. Megan, how much time did you
guys spend preparing for the play?
Megan: We spent so much time rehearsing. It was 3 nights a week after school for a couple months.
Mary: Sounds intense. Any interesting tidbits that you can tell us about the play?
Megan: Backstage is exciting. Lots of interesting and funny things happen behind the scenes.
Mary: Neat. Do you think you’ll take drama or participate in plays in high school?
Megan: Definitely. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to get to know people.
Mary: If you missed the musical at Smart’s this year, sounds like you missed a good time. Back to you, Bob.