73 Activities

PBS

Student Reporting Labs is a hands-on student journalism training program that connects young people to real-world experiences and educators to resources and community.

Across three project-based collections, youth step into the roles of reporters, journalists, creatives, and community storytellers. Learn the fundamentals of journalism, interviewing, media literacy, and producing and hosting news shows, empowering youth to share their voices and skills to become change makers in their communities. Explore their activities as standalone lessons or follow their suggested scaffolded collections.

Activities

Fact-checking for Beginners (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Fact-checking for Beginners (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

Students will learn the basics of fact-checking a news story, and the difference between primary and secondary sources.

This is activity 13 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Fact-checking for Beginners (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

What Makes a Good Video Story? (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

What Makes a Good Video Story? (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

What makes a video story good isn’t just about the topic, it’s how you tell the story.

In this lesson, you will focus on key elements that make for great nonfiction stories like news packages, video profiles, explainers, and short documentaries.

This is activity 4 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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What Makes a Good Video Story? (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

A News Show Structure: Block G and Kickers

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

A News Show Structure: Block G and Kickers

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Students embark on a journey into news storytelling, emotions, and impactful communication. Engage in positive reporting with a trip to a fake World’s Fair of Achievements.

This activity can be completed as a standalone lesson. It is, however, best completed as part of SRL’s The News Show Structure. This series is also the second section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

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A News Show Structure: Block G and Kickers

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Shifting the Frame (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Shifting the Frame (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Students will visually map portrayals of their communities in the news media. The result will be a graphic organizer of unique perspectives and story ideas.

This is activity 1 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Shifting the Frame (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Pre-interviewing (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Pre-interviewing (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Pre-interviews help you find the right voices (characters) for your story. In the Find Your Story Lesson, you identified potential people to interview and feature in your story.

Now you will talk to them to get a sense of whether they are indeed the right people and if they will move your story forward. The pre-interview will also help you create a list of interview questions so that you can make the best use of your time, and theirs.

This is activity 11 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Pre-interviewing (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

In-camera Edit (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

In-camera Edit (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

2 Hours

Students learn how to become a better visual storyteller by analyzing and creating their own video sequences.

This is activity 15 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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In-camera Edit (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Production (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Production (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

1 Hour

In this unique set of video tutorials produced by Gil Garcia of Austin High School, students learn about the different roles associated with video production, how to scout a location and set up, best practices for audio gathering, lighting basics, the importance of white-balancing, how to approach interview process, and how to gather different forms of b-roll.

This is activity 14 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Production (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Beyond the Headlines: Sneaky Logos

Digital Media and Communications, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Beyond the Headlines: Sneaky Logos

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Dive into the world of iconic logos! In this lesson, we decode why our brains love images over words, transform plain logos into iconic masterpieces, and give friendly feedback. Get ready to unleash your inner designer!

This activity can be completed as a standalone lesson. It is best completed as part of SRL’s Beyond the Headlines 4-part series. This short series is also the first section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

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Beyond the Headlines: Sneaky Logos

Digital Media and Communications, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Art of the Interview (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Art of the Interview (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Preparation and practice are the keys to a successful interview and amazing story. The goal of the interview is to get soundbites that connect with your audience, illuminate the topic and move your story forward.

This is activity 12 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Art of the Interview (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

PBS

6 - 12

25 Minutes

Students create short presentations to learn about copyright and fair use on the internet.

This is activity 5 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Broadcast News (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, History and Society

Grades 6 - 12

Broadcast News (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

How does news get from the front lines to your feed? Let’s take a look behind the curtain...

Students will gain an understanding of what constitutes broadcast news and how it’s produced. They will use this knowledge to work backwards, investigating and critically analyzing news stories they’ve recently encountered.

This is activity 6 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Broadcast News (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, History and Society

Grades 6 - 12

A News Show Structure: Block C and Headlines

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

A News Show Structure: Block C and Headlines

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Extra! Extra! Dive into the world of headline writing in our exciting lesson! Students learn the art of crafting captivating headlines that tell the story at a glance. Get ready to make headlines that shine!

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A News Show Structure: Block C and Headlines

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Featured in These Collections

Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

15 Activities

●

Grades K - 12

Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

K - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Empower youth, amplify student voice, and make learning an adventure! The activities in this playlist are designed to spark creativity, foster teamwork, and encourage self-discovery, making learning an adventure that students look forward to each day. This playlist is packed with engaging activities in the arts, career exploration, and social and emotional learning — that foster self-awareness, creativity, connection, and belonging. Each lesson plan equips you to engage students to become more active participants in their own journey.

"The most memorable lessons often come from the journey, not the destination — enjoy the messiness of learning, it's here that the real magic happens." — Lauren B. González

This Playlist was curated by Lauren B. González, in collaboration with Mizzen Education. Lauren has more than 15 years in the educational field and is a doctoral candidate for Applied Learning Sciences at The University of Miami. A first-generation Latina and daughter of Cuban exiles, Lauren describes her approach to learning as "holistic, respectful of student cultures, and deeply rooted in resilience and empathy."

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Building a NewsHour: Part 3

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

5 Activities

●

Grades 3 - 5

Building a NewsHour: Part 3

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 3

This Module from SRL takes youth through the all elements of building their own news hour. A follow-up to the From Concept to Screen Module, this six part Collection takes youth through the all the steps in creating a news hour to tell their stories.

This is Module 3 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 4

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

6 Activities

●

Grades 3 - 5

Building a NewsHour: Part 4

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 4

This is Module 4 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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American History: Elevating Black Voices (3-5)

Leadership and Teamwork, Literacy, History and Society

13 Activities

●

Grades 3 - 5

American History: Elevating Black Voices (3-5)

3 - 5

9 Hours 10 Minutes

This Collection is a weekly, hands-on playlist that helps learners explore how stories, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership shape communities and American history. Through engaging texts, Innovator Trading Cards, and theme-based activities in literacy, STEM, the arts, and collaboration, students discover lesser-known Black Americans whose voices and ideas have made a lasting impact. Each week introduces a new theme that strengthens reading comprehension, evidence-based thinking, creativity, and teamwork, while giving learners multiple opportunities to apply their understanding through discussion, design, and gameplay. Designed for flexible facilitation and active learning, this playlist shows that innovation happens in many ways—and that elevating diverse voices deepens our understanding of history.

For a consistent learning experience, it is recommended that this collection be completed in the sequence outlined below. This allows learners to apply the weekly themes from the Innovator Playing Cards through supplementary activities.

Week 1: Storytelling and Voice

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Word Detectives

What is that Tone

Rhythm and Language

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars

Arm and Belt Accessories

Engineering an Upgrade (Grades 3-5)

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

The Animal Spin

Create and Perform a Scene from a Book

Clay Pinch Pot

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

More Tools Are Better Than One

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

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Mizzen Summer Sizzle

Digital Media and Communications, Arts

16 Activities

●

Grades K - 12

Mizzen Summer Sizzle

K - 12

2 Hours

Join Mizzen and our partner organization for summer learning! This playlist for all ages is a highlight reel of activities from Mizzen's Summer Sizzle features. Continue your summer learning with !Mpact Players, Jazz at Lincoln Center, National Wildlife Federation, PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, reDiscover Center, and Mizzen with the list of activities below.

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From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

21 Activities

●

Grades 3 - 5

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

3 - 5

10 Hours 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour.

The module is broken into three sections. The first, "Beyond the Headline" and "A News Show Structure" contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows.

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American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

Leadership and Teamwork, History and Society, Literacy

13 Activities

●

Grades 6 - 12

American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

6 - 12

9 Hours 10 Minutes

The American History: Elevating Black Voices Collection is a weekly, inquiry-driven playlist that invites learners to examine how storytelling, innovation, creativity, and leadership shape American history and civic life. Through complex texts, Innovator Trading Cards, and theme-based activities across literacy, STEM, the arts, and collaborative problem-solving, students engage with lesser-known Black Americans—whose contributions have influenced systems, culture, and community change. Each week introduces a thematic lens that builds historical analysis, critical reading, argumentation, and interdisciplinary thinking, culminating in a challenge-based game that requires evidence, reasoning, and collaboration. Designed to support meaningful discussion and application, this Collection highlights innovation as a collective process and underscores the power of amplifying voices that shape our shared history.

This collection is designed to have learners apply ideas from the weekly themes introduced through the Innovator Playing Cards with additional related activities; it is recommended to follow this sequence to maintain consistency:

Week 1: Storytelling and Voice

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

What Makes a Good Story?

One Minute Speeches

Erasure Poetry as Resistance

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Cell City

Catapult (Team Building) Game

Build an Extension Arm

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Create a Cardboard Self-Portrait

Improv: Say the Line

How to Look at Dance

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Playing Innovator Trading Cards

Analyzing and Constructing Timelines of Racial (In)justice

Dream Team

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Building a NewsHour: Part 5

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

5 Activities

●

Grades 3 - 5

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

3 - 5

2 Hours

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 5

This is Module 5 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Student Reporting Labs

Digital Media and Communications

16 Activities

●

Grades 6 - 12

Student Reporting Labs

6 - 12

14 Hours 10 Minutes

Student Reporting Labs connect students to innovative journalism curriculum to develop digital media, critical thinking and communication skills while producing original reports.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 2

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

5 Activities

●

Grades 3 - 5

Building a NewsHour: Part 2

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 2

This is Module 2 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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