TweenTribune offers teachers and students an opportunity to read high interest news stories about everyday people from around the world. Introduced in such an appealing way, Tribune stories are interesting to middle schoolers and are a great way to get students to read newspaper articles—and then to hear them comment.
After reading the stories, the students are able to post a response.
Students log on in a very safe manner and are able to access TweenTribune at home. I’m able to check the blogs before they are published and able to print them.
My students were sharing stories with each other and having a great time writing a response. They are proud to be published writers. I introduced this website on Thursday and many students logged in at home over the weekend!
The responses have to be at least 25 words. At first students were unhappy with that number, but as they started to respond, they realized how easy it was to accomplish. Students came in the next day and asked if we’re going to read new stories again.
In response to the article, “Suspended over long hair. Is it fair?” Korie posted: I don't think that it is fair that a four year old would get suspended for having long hair. There are students in my middle school with hair longer hair than him that don't get in trouble for it.
I recommend this site to all teachers. The students are engaged and they are reading and writing at the same time. Check it out: http://tweentribune.com/.
