← Ages 8 to 12

Reporter for a Day

Interview a grandparent or aunt with five good questions, write up the best story, then give a one-minute news report to the family.

Listening
Note-taking
Writing
Family history

“We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” Psalm 78:4

Newsroom in progress

Reporters

Your newspaper Newspaper name

The name at the top of your printed newspaper.

Time on air

1 minute 2 minutes

Options Sounds A news jingle when you go on air, and applause at the end.

You’ll need

A pencil and paper or a notebook for each reporter
A grandparent, aunt, uncle or older friend to interview
About 15 minutes for each interview
A spot to stand for the news report

The archive

Reports are kept in this browser, on this device only. Save them to a file now and then, so they’re safe.

Reporter for a Day

The newsroom

Choose five questions

Who will you interview?

Write your own question

Your questions

Ask

Notes, if you like

Listening tip

Write your news report

Your notes

Headline

Who

Where

When

The best story

A quote

A closing line

On air

Applause

The archive

These reports are kept in this browser, on this device only. Clearing the browser can erase them, so save them to a file and keep it somewhere safe. Opening a file adds its reports here; nothing is removed.

Interview sheets

Print a sheet for each reporter, with room for notes and a page to plan the report. No printer? Copy your questions onto paper and leave space under each one.

That’s the news!

“…shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” Psalm 78:4

How to play

Each reporter chooses someone to interview, like a grandparent or an aunt, and picks five questions. Stuck? Tap Pick for me.
Print the interview sheets, or copy your questions onto paper.
Interview! Ask one question at a time, listen well, and jot down key words. You can type notes here too.
Write your report: a headline, who, where and when, the best story, a quote, and a closing line.
Go on air! Stand up, press Go on air, and tell the family the news while the ON AIR light shines. The cue cards help you remember.
Everyone claps, then asks the reporter one question. Every report is kept in the archive, ready to print as a family newspaper.

Good interviewing

Ask, then wait. Give them time to remember.
Ask follow-ups like “What happened next?” or “How did that feel?”
Write key words, names, places and years, not whole sentences.
Listen for one great sentence and write it word for word. That’s your quote.
Say thank you at the end!

For mixed ages

A younger reporter can team up with an older one who writes the notes.
Grown-ups being interviewed: tell the story behind each answer. That’s what makes the news!
A grandparent far away? A phone or video call works well.

Keeping the reports

Reports are kept in this browser, on this device only. Use Save to a file now and then, and keep the file safe.
Print the newspaper for the person you interviewed. It makes a lovely thank-you.

Keys on a computer

Enter or Space presses the main button on each screen. A opens the archive from the menu.
Questions: P picks for you. Interview: B goes back. On air: B goes back a card and P pauses.