Ready-to-use classroom activity
Headlines
Students summarize learning by writing a newspaper headline that captures the main idea in a brief, attention-grabbing statement.
Grade range
Works across
Activity style
Headlines
Students summarize learning by writing a newspaper headline that captures the main idea in a brief, attention-grabbing statement.
Example lesson: Summarizing Daily Learning (Any Subject - 5th Grade)
Materials
- Headline strips or paper
- Sample newspaper headlines for modeling
- Markers
- Display area for posting
Preparation
Collect sample newspaper headlines showing variety in style. Create headline strips or paper. Plan display area. Decide if this is individual or partner work.
Run the activity
- Show sample newspaper headlines: 'Scientists Discover New Planet', 'Local Team Wins Championship'
- Notice: Headlines are short, catchy, capture the main point.
- Challenge: Summarize today's lesson in a headline. Capture the most important idea.
- Rules: 10 words or fewer. Must be accurate to the content. Make it interesting!
- Today's lesson: The causes of the American Revolution.
- Model weak headline: 'American Revolution' (Too vague, not informative)
- Model strong headline: 'Colonists Cry 'No Taxation Without Representation!'' (Captures key idea)
- Individual writing time (5 min): Draft your headline. Revise to make it punchy.
- Share with partner. Help each other improve.
- Post headlines. Gallery walk to see different perspectives on 'what was most important.'
- Discussion: Do all headlines capture the same main idea? Why might they differ?
Differentiation
Provide sentence starters or word banks. Allow longer headlines for students who need more words. For advanced students, require headlines for multiple aspects of the lesson.
Assessment
Check headlines for accuracy and main idea capture. Look for clever word choice that shows understanding. Compare headlines to see different interpretations.