For this project, you will be creating the front page of a newspaper for your Newbery book. All the articles, headlines, pictures and “extras” will relate to the book you have chosen. As you read the book, keep notes about what happened and what might make for good newspaper reading. The written sections may be typed or hand written. However, hand written sections are expected to have high quality penmanship. Work carefully- accuracy and neatness count! Be creative, but stick to the story you read as well.
Nameplate Required:
Nameplate: Create a nameplate that spans the entire width of the top of the page. It should include the title of the newspaper, location, and publication date. All these should relate to your book. Be sure to use a date relevant to the time period of your book if your book is set in a different time period.
Sometimes nameplates also include a teaser or tagline to draw in the reader. For example, the one below says “The Newspaper for the South Sound.”
Character Feature Article Required:
Character Feature Article - Write a section of your paper just about the main character(s). Include the main character’s name, character traits (generous, fair, leader, stubborn, etc.), interesting information about the character, things the character did in the story, a “word sketch” of the character, (describes the physical features of the character). This could be in interview form, an obituary, or any other format you desire as long you include who the character is, what she/he did, and any additional interesting details that give us a full picture of this character. Include a headline that catches the attention of the reader.
Book Review Required:
Book Review – a book review in which you summarize the plot of the book (but don’t give away the ending). Include opinions about the book. Use details from the book to support your opinions.
Incorporate at least one quotation from the book to support your opinion. Would you recommend this book to a friend? What other kinds of readers might like this book? Include a headline.

Advice Column Required:
Advice Column – a letter to an advice columnist about a personal problem from one character’s life and a reply from the advice columnist. You may make up the advice columnist’s name and the letter writer’s anonymous name. Be sure to include information about the problem the character has and the solution given by the advice columnist. You may choose any relevant character from the book.
Extras – Your Choice [include at least (1) of the following]:
Comic Strip- Design a four-panel comic strip that illustrates something funny that happened in the story.
Be sure to give it a title and include dialogue.
Classified Ad- Create a series of at least five “help wanted” ads, “lost and found” ads, and/or “for sale” ads related to some aspect of your book. Include a headline.
Crossword Puzzle - A crossword puzzle with vocabulary relevant to or featured in the book. It must have a minimum of 6 clues, complete with crossword puzzle and matching clues.
Sports – Use if there were any sporting events that were part of the story.
Travel News – Based on the setting or a location that was mentioned.
Newspaper Book Project Checklist:
Did you…
___ fill all the space, leaving no empty spaces?
___ Include the three “must have” parts of the newspaper including the advice column, book review, and character feature article?
___ include at least one of the “fillers”?
___ include at least two pictures with a caption about each?
___ a title for each section?
___ include all the information for the nameplate at the top of the paper?
___ check to make sure all your punctuation, grammar, and spelling is correct?
___ support all of your opinions with facts, details, and information from the story?
___ make sure your project reflects your best effort and quality of workmanship with creativity, neatness, and attention to detail?

Section Criteria
The “nameplate “section included a name and date. It also may include the price, a flag or symbol and a slogan, the issue number and/or year of publication.
Advice Column section- in letter format; included a problem from one of the story characters and a reply with a solution from the advice columnist. The problem and solution were relevant to the story.
Book Review section- the book review summarized the plot of the book (but didn’t give away the ending). It included opinions about the book and used details from the book to support opinions. It included the title and author in the review.
Character Feature Article section- The section focused on the main character. It included the main character’s name, character traits (generous, fair, leader, stubborn, etc), interesting information, things the character did in the story, and a “word sketch” of the character (describes the physical features of the character).
Included at least one of the optional “fillers.” The included filler followed the guideline for that section, including all mentioned parts and demonstrating creative thinking.
Project was neat and visually pleasing, demonstrating organization, good use of space, and use of a ruler (if done by hand).
Project demonstrated correct grammar, punctuation, and capitalization
Score (0-4)
Project demonstrated creativity.
Project demonstrated the student’s best effort and quality workmanship.
Project included at least two pictures with a caption about the picture.
Bonus was given by teacher for:
Total

0Did not include in the newspaper. Did not complete this section in the newspaper project.
1Included section in the project, but did not include important elements of the section
OR the section severely lacked neatness, punctuation , capitals, and general cohesiveness. Overall creativity, effort, and quality of workmanship needs improvement.
2Included section, but it only somewhat included important elements of the section OR the section somewhat lacked neatness, punctuation, capitals, and general cohesiveness.
It was satifactorily organized and demonstrated satisfactory creativity, effort, and quality of workmanship.
3Included section, and it mostly included the important elements of the section Or the section was mostly neat, had good punctuation/capitalization, and had an overall good, general cohesiveness. It was organized well and demonstrated some creativity, good effort, and a good quality of workmanship.
4Included section, and it completely included the important elements of the section and the section was neatly done, had all correct puntuation/capitalization, and had an overall excellent cohesiveness. It was excellent in organization and demonstrated creativity, best effort, and a high quality of workmanship.
Project Scores
0: Project was not completed
1-10: Project needs improvement
11-20: Project is satisfactory
21-30: Project is good
31-40: Project is excellent