The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12
6 Activities
Grades 6 - 12
Overview
How can good journalism empower people? This module begins by asking students to identify what they believe the purpose of journalism to be, and guides them to think critically and creatively about their relationship with news.
Students will move from reflecting on the power and purpose of journalism to examining how bias can affect the news, and the way in which we process information ourselves. Students will learn about news framing and editorial judgment, putting themselves in the shoes of editors and journalists who decide which stories get told and how they are presented to the public. Finally, students will move from analyzing news stories to responding to underreported stories that matter to them through creative and journalistic projects.
Throughout this module, facilitators have access to the option of requesting a free virtual visit with a Pulitzer Center journalist who can support students in digging deeper into any of these topics, getting their questions answered, and exploring careers in the journalism field.
Are you looking for media literacy activities for younger learners? Check out The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6, also on Mizzen.
Quality Instructional Practices
Continue Your Journey
1
1
What Should Journalism Do?
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour
2
2
Interrupting Bias Through News
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 30 Minutes
3
3
What’s Your Angle? News Framing and Bias
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour
4
4
What’s Your Agenda? Editorial Judgment and Underreported Stories
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
5
5
From Story to Solution
Grades 6 - 12
2 Hours
6
6
Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 7-12
In this activity, students prepare for and then host a guest speaker through the Pulitzer Center’s free virtual journalist visit program. The Pulitzer Center works with thousands of journalists, making the visit customizable: students can learn about career pathways, journalism skills, interrupting bias and misinformation, and/or content areas that the journalist covers.
In the first 60-minute activity period, students consider how to prepare for a guest speaker so that the students feel comfortable and the guest feels welcome. In the second activity period, students welcome their guest speaker and ask their prepared questions.
Grades 6 - 12
2 Hours
The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12
Overview
Quality Instructional Practices
Continue Your Journey
1
1
What Should Journalism Do?
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour
2
2
Interrupting Bias Through News
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 30 Minutes
3
3
What’s Your Angle? News Framing and Bias
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour
4
4
What’s Your Agenda? Editorial Judgment and Underreported Stories
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
5
5
From Story to Solution
Grades 6 - 12
2 Hours
6
6
Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 7-12
In this activity, students prepare for and then host a guest speaker through the Pulitzer Center’s free virtual journalist visit program. The Pulitzer Center works with thousands of journalists, making the visit customizable: students can learn about career pathways, journalism skills, interrupting bias and misinformation, and/or content areas that the journalist covers.
In the first 60-minute activity period, students consider how to prepare for a guest speaker so that the students feel comfortable and the guest feels welcome. In the second activity period, students welcome their guest speaker and ask their prepared questions.
Grades 6 - 12
2 Hours
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.