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Building a NewsHour: Part 1

5 Activities

Grades 3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Overview

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 1

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 1 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

Continue Your Journey

1

The First Cellphone Call

Welcome to “Building a News Hour” Module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab, an opportunity for students to apply and extend their learning from Module 1, “From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Show.” By the end of the module, students, working in groups or independently, will have created their own News Hour. The process begins in this first lesson, where students learn the focus of their stories, the first cellphone call.

This is lesson 1 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
The First Cellphone CallLiteracy, Digital Media and Communications
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

2

Who Saw It

Today's adventure is about expanding student knowledge and uncovering the vast web of people connected to the groundbreaking historical moment, the world’s first cell phone call. Students collaborate, brainstorm, and create a comprehensive list of witnesses and critical figures surrounding the iconic event.

This is lesson 2 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
Who Saw ItDigital Media and Communications, Literacy
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

3

The Angle

Let's continue our news adventure! In today's mission, students dive deep into story angles, identifying the right approach to reporting on the first cellphone call.

This is lesson 5 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
The AngleLiteracy, Digital Media and Communications
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

4

Which Source When

It's time for some source sleuthing in our quest for the perfect news angle! We're double-checking our source list and selecting those that match our angles like a glove.

This is lesson 6 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
Which Source WhenDigital Media and Communications, Literacy
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

5

Hiring a Crew

Lights, camera, action! Read, discuss, and match skills to the jobs in a news crew. Students uncover what it takes to bring the news to an audience!

This is lesson 7 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
Hiring a CrewDigital Media and Communications, Literacy
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

Building a NewsHour: Part 1

Building a NewsHour: Part 1

Grades 3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Overview

Continue Your Journey

1

The First Cellphone Call

Welcome to “Building a News Hour” Module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab, an opportunity for students to apply and extend their learning from Module 1, “From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Show.” By the end of the module, students, working in groups or independently, will have created their own News Hour. The process begins in this first lesson, where students learn the focus of their stories, the first cellphone call.

This is lesson 1 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
The First Cellphone CallLiteracy, Digital Media and Communications
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

2

Who Saw It

Today's adventure is about expanding student knowledge and uncovering the vast web of people connected to the groundbreaking historical moment, the world’s first cell phone call. Students collaborate, brainstorm, and create a comprehensive list of witnesses and critical figures surrounding the iconic event.

This is lesson 2 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
Who Saw ItDigital Media and Communications, Literacy
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

3

The Angle

Let's continue our news adventure! In today's mission, students dive deep into story angles, identifying the right approach to reporting on the first cellphone call.

This is lesson 5 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
The AngleLiteracy, Digital Media and Communications
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

4

Which Source When

It's time for some source sleuthing in our quest for the perfect news angle! We're double-checking our source list and selecting those that match our angles like a glove.

This is lesson 6 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
Which Source WhenDigital Media and Communications, Literacy
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

5

Hiring a Crew

Lights, camera, action! Read, discuss, and match skills to the jobs in a news crew. Students uncover what it takes to bring the news to an audience!

This is lesson 7 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.
Hiring a CrewDigital Media and Communications, Literacy
45 MinutesGrades 3 - 5

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Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.

Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.