As we prepare to welcome a new school year, it’s essential to start strong by fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among our journalism students. Building a collaborative and supportive environment from day one can set the tone for a successful year ahead. I’ve found that single-day team-building activities not only promote collaboration but also help students learn about journalism in a fun and engaging way. Here are some of my favorite activities to kick off the school year with a bang!
Activity 1: Journalism BINGO
One of the best ways to break the ice and get students talking is through a good old-fashioned game of BINGO. But with a twist—journalism-style!
How It Works:
- BINGO Cards: Each student receives a BINGO card filled with journalism-related prompts. Examples include “Interviewed someone famous,” “Knows what a byline is,” or “Has written a news article before.”
- Get to Know Each Other: Students go around the room and ask their classmates questions based on the prompts. When they find someone who fits the description, they mark it off on their card.
- First to BINGO: The first student to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “BINGO!” and wins a small prize.
This activity is fantastic for helping students learn about each other’s experiences and interests in journalism, while also breaking the ice and fostering a friendly atmosphere.
Activity 2: Journalism Trivia
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Journalism trivia is a fun and educational way to get students thinking about key concepts and history in journalism.
How It Works:
- Trivia Questions: Prepare a set of 15 journalism-related questions. These can cover a range of topics from famous journalists and landmark events to journalistic ethics and terminology.
- Team Play: Divide the class into small teams and have them work together to answer the questions.
- Answer Key: After the trivia session, go over the answers together. This not only reveals the winning team but also reinforces learning and sparks discussion about each question.
This activity not only tests students’ existing knowledge but also provides a great opportunity for learning new facts and engaging in meaningful discussions about journalism.
Activity 3: Newspaper Challenge
This activity combines teamwork with hands-on learning, making it perfect for journalism students.
How It Works:
- Task Cards: Prepare 15 task cards with different journalism-related prompts. Tasks can include things like “Write a catchy headline for a news story,” “Identify the lead in a sample article,” or “Design a layout for a front page.”
- Group Work: Students work in small groups to complete as many tasks as they can within a set time limit.
- Presentation: Once time is up, groups present their completed tasks to the class. This allows for a variety of creative responses and helps students learn from each other.
The Newspaper Challenge encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, all essential skills for aspiring journalists.
Activity 4: Newspaper Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is always a hit, and this one is designed to help students get familiar with the different parts of a print newspaper.
How It Works:
- Scavenger Hunt List: Prepare a list of 16 items or features commonly found in a print newspaper, such as the headline, byline, editorial section, and advertisements.
- Teams and Newspapers: Divide the class into teams and give each team a copy of a print newspaper.
- Hunt Time: Teams race against the clock to find and identify each item on the list.
- Review: After the hunt, review the items as a class and discuss the role and importance of each part of the newspaper.
This activity not only builds teamwork but also gives students a hands-on understanding of newspaper structure and content.
Final Thoughts Start Strong with Team Building
Starting the school year with these team-building activities can make a significant difference in creating a positive and collaborative classroom environment. These activities are designed to be engaging, educational, and fun, helping students bond and learn about journalism in the process. My students always look forward to these activities, and I’m sure yours will too!
Let’s kick off the school year with enthusiasm and teamwork, setting the stage for a fantastic year of journalism!
