This lesson, the fifth in a series of six, encourages schools to begin researching 2012-related events and planning the reports they will make for School Report.
We also have a pick and mix section where teachers can pick out resources to create bespoke lessons for their pupils.
And the special Teacher Essentials section includes lots of extra information and advanced resources.
Please note: this lesson is designed to run for an hour, but all timings (except for video durations) are approximate and can be expanded or reduced as required.
OBJECTIVES
To develop some ideas about how schools can report news and events in 2012
To have a greater understanding of event reporting
OVERVIEW AND RESOURCES
1 - Video - Olympics overview - 2 mins 30 secs Resources required: Internet access
2 - Activity - 2012 fact finding - 10 mins Resources required: Internet access
3 - Video - Event reportingmasterclass - 2 mins 30 secs Resources required: Internet access
4 - Video - Sport reporting masterclass - 4 mins Resources required: Internet access
3 - Activity - Researching 2012 - 20 mins Resources required: Internet access
4 - Activity - Planning a 2012 report - 10 mins Resources required: Writing materials
5 - Quiz - Reporting 2012 - 10 mins- Internet access or printable worksheet/answer sheet
ACTIVITIES
London 2012 - An Introduction
Video: Olympics overview (2 mins 30 secs)
Watch this video from the BBC's World Class Olympic Dreams project.
It provides an overview of the Games and gives a sneak peek inside the stadium.
With the Games moving ever closer, excitement is building...
Activity: 2012 fact finding (10 mins)
Work in pairs.
Choose one of these topics:
Olympic Games
Paralympic Games
Torch Relay
Diamond Jubilee
School sports and cultural activities
Research your chosen topic finding out the key facts: who, what, where, when, why.
Remember to make notes and to bookmark web pages so you can return to them later. An advanced search might help you find the information you are looking for more efficiently.
Video: Event reporting masterclass (2 mins 30 secs video + 2-3 mins to recap/discuss)
School Report's reporting events masterclass (duration: 2 mins 30 secs)
BBC presenter and newsreader Sophie Raworth has been lucky enough to report on some of the biggest national events, like the Royal Wedding, during her career as a broadcaster.
2012 is a year which will give you the chance to follow in her footsteps, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to London and sporting events being held all over the UK.
But the year is not just about sport, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Torch Relay and the Cultural Olympiad all offering up great reporting opportunities.
Sophie gives her top tips for covering big events.
You can recap the key points in the accompanying worksheet or read a transcript of the video:
Get together with the other people in your class who chose the same topic as you and, between you, answer the relevant questions below. You'll need to do some more research, either online or by asking around at school.
Remember to take notes, bookmark and use advanced search techniques.
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Find out if anyone you know has a connection to the Games
How close is your school to one of the 30 Olympic stadiums? As well as the venues in London, cycling, canoeing, rowing, sailing, mountain biking and football are being held elsewhere in the UK.
Are any of the teams from overseas nations being hosted near your school?
Does your school have a connection with another nation represented at the 2012 Games?
Are any of the Olympic and Paralympic test events taking place near your school?
Does your school have a connection with any Olympians or Paralympians - past or present?
Torch Relay
How close does the Olympic Torch come to you on the Torch Relay route? And when?
Diamond Jubilee
Is there anyone connected with your school who has a connection with the Royal family?
Are there any Diamond Jubilee related events happening near you?
School sports and cultural activities
Make a list of all the cultural activities that are taking place at your school in 2012 that you could report on eg a school play.
Make a list of all the sporting activities that are taking place at your school in 2012 that you could report on eg a football tournament.
Which of the sports you do at school are Olympic or Paralympic sports?
How do people in your school feel about the Olympics, Paralympics and Diamond Jubilee? (Some people may not be interested at all and it's good to get a balance of opinions)
Activity: Planning a 2012 report (10 mins)
Planning is a really important part of covering an event
Each group, present your research to the class.
As a class, decide which topics to report.
Now, before the end of the lesson you need to plan the next stage of your report. And planning involves asking yourself the 5 W's too! So answer these questions:
Who are you going to try and interview? What topic areas would you like to ask them about? There is no need to write individual questions at this stage.
Who is going to be the reporter, editor, camera or radio operator, picture editor (finding relevant photos)
What are you going to do next? Plan the next stage of your reporting.
When will you next meet up to continue your news report?
Where will you next meet up?
Why are you reporting this? Remind yourself why people might want or need to know about this.
Quiz: Reporting 2012 (10 mins)
School Report Quiz: Reporting 2012
There are lots of big events going on in 2012 - which means there are lots of things for you to report! Test how much you know about reporting live events with our special quiz.
1.) Reporting live events
What should you do before you go live with your bulletin?
Take a rest to recharge your batteries
Rehearse the bulletin and check that all the equipment you are using is working
Have a cup of tea
2.) Reporting live events
How should you prepare for commentating on your school's sports day?
Research the event, the sports and the people taking part in the event
Arrive just before the event starts
Choose a commentator you like and learn how to impersonate them
3.) Reporting 2012
How many days will the Olympic Torch relay take to travel from Land's End to the Olympic Stadium in London?
50
70
90
4.) Reporting 2012
The Queen is visiting your school but she hasn't arrived yet. You're reporting live for the school website. You should...
Post an update saying she hasn't arrived then have a cup of tea.
Talk to people waiting to meet her.
Chat to your friends while you wait,
5.) Reporting live events
Live updates on your website should be...
Long paragraphs
Posted every 15 minutes
Short and snappy updates
6.) Reporting live events
You are editing a live events page covering your school football tournament. What should you do?
Wait and see what happens on the day.
Think about the things you want to include on the page.
Write lots of content ahead of time so you don't have to do much on the day.
7.) Reporting live events
School Reporters are at your school's football tournament. How do you get their updates onto your live events web page?
Ask one reporter to bring messages to you.
Ask your teacher to bring notes from the reporters to you
Ask them to send text messages to you.
Answers
You should rehearse the bulletin and check that all the equipment you are using is working. While it may be tempting to have a rest or a cup of the tea, there's still plenty to do. Run through the bulletin and check your equipment to avoid mistakes during the live programme.
Research the event, the sport and the people taking part in the event. It's important to be fully prepared so you can tell your audience the most interesting and have some ideas for good questions to ask. Get there early so you have a good spot to watch the action. It's great to learn from other commentators but remember to be yourself!
It will take 70 days. The torch will be carried by 8,000 people on its way round the UK, Guernsey and Jersey. It will reach the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday 27 July 2012.
Why not talk to the people who are waiting to meet her and find out how they feel about her visit? What seems like a frustrating wait can actually be a great opportunity! Maybe one of them went to her coronation.You might find a great story or some fantastic quotes.
They should be short and snappy updates. Keep your audience interested by posting little and often. Don't hold back information if you know it's accurate and useful!
You should think about the things you want to include on the page ahead of time. That way, you'll be able to make sure you're covering all the angles of the story.
Asking reporters to send text message updates is a great way to update your live events page. But remember to ask your headteacher if you're allowed to use phones in school. If you have to pay for your text messages, you might need to find another way of sending updates.
Your Score
0 - 3 : Keep working at it
4 - 5 : Good but could be better
6 - 7 : Well done!
NOTE FOR TEACHERS
The online test gives you the answers at the end of every question. If you are using the quiz worksheet, the answers can be found here:
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