Introduction:

How do you think you would feel if suddenly you were moved into a home filled with strangers? What if something happened in your own family that caused you anguish and pain? How would you deal with it? How could these events impact your life? Your future? What are some ways you could take control of your own well being? How do those taking care of you feel? Why do they bother to care about others? These are some questions that Carlie, Harvey and Thomas. J face in the book The Pinballs by Betsy Byars.

  Stories about crime, human interest, community events, families,  leisure activities, food and fun are just some of the topics included in a newspaper as well as advertisements, advice columns and obituaries. Today you have a special assignment.  You have just been hired as an investigative reporter.  Your job is to report the events that are happening to the characters in The Pinballs. Remember, a good reporter always investigates his subject and reports on what he/she learns. You and your journalistic team will create a brand new newspaper. You will need to think of a name for your newspaper and write the articles for your first edition. It's a big job so let's get the presses rolling!

• Betsy Byars Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
• Betsy Byars Scavenger Hunt
• Letter generator
• Newspaper Generator
• Comic Strip Generator
• Newspaper Example (using Word)
• Foster Care Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
• Foster Care Scavenger Hunt
• Vocabulary Webpage
• On-Line Quiz

Webpage links

• http://www.betsybyars.com/auto.html
• http://www.connectforkids.org/node/65
• http://www.connectforkids.org/node/568

• Complete the Betsy Byars Scavenger Hunt (worksheet)
• In chapter 7, the kids write letters. Use the letter generator to compose a letter to the advice columnist of the newspaper. Ask advice about an issue that is bothering you. Address your letter to Dear Tabby. Print your letter. Trade with a partner and try to write a reply to the problem. You might include this in your newspaper.
• The teacher will divide you into journalistic teams with 4 members on each team.
• Each team member chooses a different character: Carlie, Harvey, Thomas J. and the Masons. Use Inspiration to create a web of your character(s). (If Inspiration or Kidspiration in unavailable just use a Venn Diagram). List at least 3 characteristics and an example from the story for each one.  Write a rough draft article about this character for the newspaper.
• Plan with your team for the layout of your newspaper. Decide the responsibilities for each team member.
  Your Newspaper should include:
  1. An article for each character- Carlie, Harvey, Thomas J., and the Masons. Write a final draft of your article using your rough draft.
  2. The name of your newspaper (come up with something catchy)
  3. A date line and issue number ( 1 of course!)
  4. One or more of these: an advice column, the obituaries, a comic strip (you'll need to limit it to one picture reflecting an event in the story, drawn and scanned), an advertisement etc...
• Use Student Writing Center to create your newspaper (choose Newsletter) or use Word. (example) Print a copy for each class member. (Newspaper generator is another option.)

Additional Activities:

• Complete the Foster Care Scavenger Hunt
• Use Printshop or similar program to create a "Get Well" card to send to Harvey while he is in the hospital
• All journalists need to use a variety of vocabulary words to keep the reader interested. Brush up on your vocabulary skills by completing these fun activities.
• On-line Quiz
• Use PowerPoint. Create a slide representing one of the characters in the story or choose 1 chapter and summarize it. Add a picture.

• Print off the rubric. Click here
• The teacher will check off each completed item.
• All items will be compiled into a portfolio to be shared with parents.

Congratulations your newspaper just won the Pulitzer Prize for exceptional journalism for your coverage of the issues facing children in foster care and the families that step up to help!

Home