Shoalhaven Anglican School
“Here are the News”
Literacy Grammar Unit for
the Quality Teaching Programme.
Funded by the Association
of Independent Schools.
Written by:
Bruce Ferrington, Michelle
Cooney, Alison Wade and
Marion Vagg.
N
ewspaper,
radio,
television,
media,
documentary,
broadcast,
news
reader,
autocue, cameras, journalists,
articles, breaking news, media
watch, inside story, footage,
kk
sound technician, Alan
Jones, National Nine News,
Prime News, WIN News,
ABC News, SBS News,
news update, opinion polls,
sport,
human
interest
stories, world news, current
affairs, CNN, hot-off-thepress,
news
release,
entertainment, up-to-date,
reporting, News Network,
Canberra
Times,
The
Australian, 2UE, I98FM,
The
Sydney
Morning
Herald,
The
Sunday
Telegraph,
Local
and
National News, print, text,
anchorman, features
Here are the News
The Voice, comedy, ABC
radio national, headlines,
Kerry Packer, Kerry Stokes
and ratings.
SHOALHAVEN ANGLICAN SCHOOL, www.sas.nsw.edu.au September,
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
2002
Here are the News
Introduction:
This unit of work has been produced by Stage 3 teachers from Shoalhaven Anglican School for implementation in ability based Literacy groups.
The focus for this work is on the information report text type and use is made of the links to the Science and Technology unit “Visual Ventures”
that looks at the technical aspects of electronic media. Funding for the production of this unit was provided through the Association of
Independent Schools and the Australian Government Quality Teaching Programme.
Aim:
These teaching and learning activities aim to provide students with opportunities to explore the use of grammar in information reports,
differentiating between written and spoken texts. Students will examine information reports gathered from print and electronic media. They will
use their understanding of grammatical forms and structures to deconstruct and analyse existing texts and use this experience to create their own.
Context:
Lessons will be presented in Literacy time which in forty minute blocks. Classes are multi-aged and ability streamed. Whilst the majority of
students in these groups will be Stage 3 students there will be a small proportion of higher ability Stage 2 students participating.
Outcomes:
The teaching and learning outcomes from the NSW English K-6 Syllabus are listed within the teaching and learning activities throughout the
unit.
Values and Attitudes:
V1
Enjoys creating a range of spoken and written texts
V2
Enjoys experiencing and responding to a range of spoken and written texts
V3
Experiments with different aspects of spoken and written language
V4
Shows confidence in using language in a variety of contexts
V5
Shows independence in using and learning language
V6
Chooses to reflect on and share experiences of texts
V7
Uses language to support and encourage others
V8
Understands how language is used to include and exclude others
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Here Are the News - Lesson Overview
Week
One
1
Overview
What is an information report?
Lesson 2
Immersion in text – present news reports from newspaper, radio, TV
Lesson 3 - 4
Deconstruct report from newspaper
Lesson 5 - 6
Deconstruct report from radio
Lesson 7 - 8
Deconstruct report from TV
Lesson 9 - 10
Analysis/Comparison of each text – group work
Lesson 11 - 12
Assessment and evaluation - present chart of findings
Lesson 13
Outline media tasks for activity groups
Lesson 14 - 16
Create newspaper report – analyse/deconstruct own report
Five
Lesson 17 - 20
Create radio report – analyse/deconstruct own report
Six
Lesson 21 - 24
Create TV report – analyse/deconstruct own report
Seven
Lesson 25 - 30
Presentation of media tasks
Eight
Lesson 31
Review
Two
Three
Four
Lesson
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Week One:
Activities
Outcomes
Blooms
Resources
Lesson 1
What is an information report?
 Discuss features of an information report.
 Describe structure of information reports.
 Read grammar focus (K-6 English Syllabus – Modules
pg 319).
 Discuss grammar terminology (K-6 English Syllabus –
Modules pg 319).
TS 3.4
RS 3.6
RS 3.7
RS 3.8
Knowledge
 Read
 List
Comprehension
 Discuss
 Consider

Lesson 2
Immersion in Text
 Present news reports for newspaper, radio and TV
 Identify local/National/International news
TS 3.3
WS 3.9
Comprehension
 Discuss
 Differentiate
 Recognise

Lesson 3 - 4
Deconstruction of Newspaper Report
 Re-read newspaper report
 Identify general features of newspaper
(Information triangle)
 Identify specific grammatical features:
i. Clearly structured sentences
ii. Elaboration paragraphs
iii. Identify topic in opening sentence
iv. Passive voice
v. Complex sentences
vi. Hedging language
vii. Noun groups
viii. Word chains
Comprehension
 Discuss
 Differentiate
 Consider
Analysis
 Identify

RS 3.6
RS 3.8
reports WS 3.10
TS 3.4
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Grammar
Focus pg 319
 Glossary
worksheet
Copies
of
News items
 TV,VCR,
cassette
Deconstruction Activity
sheet
Week Two:
Activities
Outcomes
Blooms
Resources
Lesson 5 - 6
Deconstruction of Radio Report
 As for lesson 3 – 4, but include:
i. Listen to recording
ii. Transcribe text
iii. Deconstruct text
iv. Identify any verbal elements that are not part
of the written text. Eg: Emphasis on syllables,
pauses, accent on words, intonation, emotion
(or lack).
RS 3.6
RS 3.8
WS 3.10
TS 3.4
Comprehension
 Discuss
 Differentiate
 Consider
Analysis
 Identify

Lesson 7 - 8
Deconstruction of TV Report
 As for lesson 3 – 4, but include:
i. Watch recording
ii. Transcribe text
iii. Deconstruct text
iv. Identify any verbal elements that are not part
of the written text. Eg: Emphasis on syllables,
pauses, accent on words, intonation, emotion
(or lack).
v. Identify any visual elements such as file
footage, on location shots to establish context
etc
RS 3.6
RS 3.8
WS 3.10
TS 3.4
Comprehension
 Discuss
 Differentiate
 Consider
Analysis
 Identify

Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Transcription
sheet
 Copy of video
report
 Tape Player
 Deconstruction
sheet
Transcription
sheet
 Copy of TV
report
 VCR + TV
 Deconstruction
sheet
Week Three:
Activities
Lesson 9 - 10
Outcomes
Analysis/Comparison of each text
WS 3.13
 Working in groups of 3 (max.)
RS 3.7
i. Draw up a table showing similarities and TS 3.3, 3.4
differences between the 3 texts.
ii. Ensure that comparison includes specific
grammatical features discussed previously.
iii. Analyse
the impact/effect of these
differences on the audience of each text.
Lesson 11 - Assessment and Evaluation
 Groups present chart of findings.
12
TS 3.2
TS 3.3, 3.4
WS 3.13
RS 3.7
Blooms
Resources
Analysis
 Identify
 Compare

Comprehension
 Discuss
 Differentiate
 Consider
Analysis
 Explain
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Example
of
comparison
table
Week Four:
Activities
Outcomes
Blooms
Lesson 13
Outline Media tasks for activity groups
 Outline requirements for assessment tasks
 Discuss potential topics
 Discuss evaluation criteria
 Presentation/layout expectations
 Pictures relate to text.
WS 3.9
WS 3.10
Comprehension
 Discuss
 Consider
Lesson 14 -16
Create newspaper report
 Write report
 Edit own report
 Presentation of report
 Deconstruct and analyse report
WS 3.9
WS 3.10
WS 3.12
WS 3.13
WS 3.14
RS 3.7
RS 3.8
TS 3.2
TS 3.3
TS 3.4
Application
 Apply
 Show
Synthesis
 Create
 Design
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Resources
Week Five:
Lesson 17 - 20
Activities
Outcomes
Blooms
Resources
Create radio report
 Write report
 Edit own report
 Presentation of report/record report onto cassette
 Deconstruct and analyse report
WS 3.9
WS 3.10
WS 3.12
WS 3.13
WS 3.14
RS 3.7
RS 3.8
TS 3.2
TS 3.3
TS 3.4
Application
 Apply
 Show
Synthesis
 Create
 Design

Activities
Outcomes
Blooms
Resources
Create television report
 Write report
 Edit own report
 Presentation of report/Record onto video
 Deconstruct and analyse report
WS 3.9
WS 3.10
WS 3.12
WS 3.13
WS 3.14
RS 3.7
RS 3.8
TS 3.2
TS 3.3
TS 3.4
Application
 Apply
 Show
Synthesis
 Create
 Design

Cassette and
tape player
Week Six:
Lesson 21 - 24
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Video camera
Week Seven:
Lesson 25 - 30
Lesson 31
Activities
Outcomes
Blooms
Presentation of Media Tasks
 Students present folio containing:
i. Newspaper report
ii. Analysis of newspaper report
iii. Recording of radio report
iv. Transcript of radio report
v. Analysis of radio text
vi. Transcript of TV report
vii. Analysis of TV report
viii. Self evaluation of own work.
.
Review
 Watch episode from “CNNNN” or “Frontline”
WS 3.9
WS 3.10
WS 3.12
WS 3.13
WS 3.14
RS 3.7
RS 3.8
TS 3.2
TS 3.3
TS 3.4
Application
 Apply
 Show
Synthesis
 Demonstrate
 Model
Evaluation
 Argue
 Assess
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Resources
Video
of
episode
from
“CNNN”
or “Frontline”
Student Assessment Checklist
Newspaper
Students can write a newspaper report that includes:
Name
Key
A = Always
U = Usually
S = Sometimes
Appropriate headline
Information triangle
Correct Structure
Correct grammatical features, spelling
and punctuation
Appropriate layout and presentation
Students can:
Deconstruct own newspaper report
Radio
Students can write and present a radio report that includes:
A general opening statement
Concise factual sentences
Brief elaborations
Use of interviews
Appropriate verbal elements
Students can:
Deconstruct own radio report
TV
Students can write and present a TV news report that includes:
A general opening statement
Concise factual sentences
Brief elaborations
Use of interviews
Appropriate verbal elements
Appropriate visual elements
Students can:
Deconstruct own TV report
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
N = Never
Requirements for Assessment Tasks
Task #1: Newspaper Report
Assessment
1. Write a newspaper report. Present it as it would actually appear
in a newspaper.
1.
Structure:
i. Headline
ii. Information triangle
iii. Stages of report – (a) general statement (b) description
in paragraphs starting with a topic sentence (c)
elaboration
2.
Grammar:
i. Use of relating verbs (are, have)
ii. Present tense
iii. Technical terms
iv. Passive voice
v. Hedging language
vi. Noun groups
vii. Word chains
3.
Presentation:
i. Report presented neatly and attractively
4.
Spelling and punctuation:
i. Use correct spelling and punctuation
ii. Use of speech marks in quotations
iii. Use of capital letters when appropriate
2. Analyse your report;
i. Deconstruct
ii. Identify examples of assessment criteria
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Task #2: Radio Report
1. Write a radio report.
Assessment
1.
Structure:
i. General opening statement
ii. Concise factual sentences
iii. Brief elaboration
iv. Use of interviews
2.
Grammar:
i. Use of relating verbs (are, have)
ii. Present tense
iii. Technical terms
iv. Passive voice
v. Hedging language
vi. Noun groups
vii. Word chains
3.
Presentation:
i. Transcript presented neatly and attractively
ii. Transcript to include prompts and cues
4.
Verbal elements:
i. Speak clearly
ii. Use appropriate expression
iii. Correct punctuation of words and names
2. Record it onto a cassette.
3. Analyse your report transcript;
i. Deconstruct
ii. Identify:
(a) Structural elements
(b) Features of grammar
(c) Verbal elements
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002
Task #3: TV report
Assessment
1. Write a TV report.
1.
Structure:
i. General opening statement
ii. Concise factual sentences
iii. Brief elaboration
iv. Use of interviews
2.
Grammar:
i. Use of relating verbs (are, have)
ii. Present tense
iii. Technical terms
iv. Passive voice
v. Hedging language
vi. Noun groups
vii. Word chains
3.
Presentation:
i. Transcript presented neatly and attractively
ii. Transcript to include prompts and cues
4.
Verbal elements:
i. Speak clearly
ii. Use appropriate expression
iii. Correct punctuation of words and names
5.
Visual elements:
i. Eye contact
2. Present report to class – reports to be filmed.
3. Analyse your report transcript;
i. Deconstruct
ii. Identify:
(a) Structural elements
(b) Features of grammar
(c) Verbal elements
(d) Visual elements
Shoalhaven Anglican School – Here are the News - 2002