Writing Lesson Plans

Newspaper Nouns

"My students enjoy newspaper activity days. When I teach nouns, they work in groups to find the different types of nouns (common, proper, collective, compound) in the newspaper, cut them out and tape them on a large piece of construction paper divided into sections. I give points for each noun found in each category. The group that finds the most nouns in each category wins a prize. I take off points for the groups who do not clean up properly. I could not go over as many examples and non-examples as the groups do themselves. They discuss and argue over their notes and chapter explanations to make sure they find the right type of nouns. Everyone learns about nouns and has a great time."
Submitted by: Janet Olson solsun@email-removed, a seventh grade English and reading teacher at Tipton-Rosemark Academy in Millington, Tennessee. This tip was published in the NEA's Weekly Works4Me list.