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Lesson plans and resources for 9- to 11-year-olds

Web versions of our unit of work
The NewsWise unit of work engages pupils with the news and develops crucial critical literacy skills.

Each lesson incorporates authentic skills from the newsroom, with pupils progressing through Journalist Training School as they complete the unit, culminating in them producing their own written news report at the end of the project.

Before you start, read our teacher guide. Get the most out of the unit of work, with extra guidance to help you teach NewsWise.
Read the teacher guide
pupils presenting at the front of the class
NewsWise learning journey

The NewsWise learning journey takes pupils through each of the NewsWise themes in order: they first develop an understanding of what news is, then the skills to question and challenge what they read, see and hear in the media, and finally put these skills into practice by producing their own news reports.

Don't have time to teach all 15 lessons? Check out our bundles of 5, 8, or 10 lessons instead.

Download the learning journey
Lesson bundles

Theme 1

Understanding the news

Lesson 1

How is news produced?

Lesson 2

Identifying newsworthy stories

Lesson 3

Managing feelings about the news (PSHE education)

Lesson 4

Holding power to account

Theme 2

Navigating the news

Lesson 5

Spotting fake news (PSHE education)

Lesson 6

Understanding that news is targeted (PSHE education)

Lesson 7

Identifying the difference between fact and opinion

Lesson 8

Producing balanced news reports

Lesson 9

Analysing bias in the news

Theme 3

Reporting the news

Lesson 10

Reporting real news stories

Lesson 11

Structuring news reports

Lesson 12

Recognising news report language

Lesson 13

Writing news reports

Lesson 14

Subediting news reports

Lesson 15

Producing a finished news report

Finished NewsWise?

We'd love to see your pupils' finished news reports! Email them to us at [email protected] - we might be able to publish them on our website!

More resources

More lesson plans

Our unit of work for 7- to 9-year-olds

NewsWise classroom resources

The NewsWise units of work and all other resources

Lesson bundles

Don't have time to teach all 15 lessons? Take a look at our lesson bundles for ways to shorten the sequence while still giving your class a memorable, immersive learning experience

Teacher training

Check out our upcoming free teacher training opportunities to help you get more from the NewsWise resources

Free journalist visits

Bring the newsroom to the classroom. Find out more and book now!

Back to NewsWise
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