Neighborhood and Community Week in Review

Age: 9 to 11

Materials: paper, pen or word processor and printer, art supplies.

Here's a chance for your kids to publish a weekly magazine. During the week, your kids collect all the information they can about happenings that relate to your neighborhood and community. Your junior newshounds can use local newspapers to pick up information about politics, real estate transactions, new business ventures, lost and found items, and the like. They can make daily observations about native animals; update the latest neighborhood construction project, write a feature about the newest store in town, and so on.

At the end of the week, your kids then put together their own "Neighborhood and Community Week in Review" magazine. They can use a wirebound notebook or loose leaf binder, and transcribe their notes to create a magazine. For a fancier version and some keyboarding practice, they can use a computer and printer to publish their articles. In addition, they can illustrate their columns with original drawings, or include pictures clipped from the local newspaper. You can also purchase a single-use camera for the occasion and sponsor a photojournalism excursion.

Finally, they can include a weekly community service column based on individuals' outstanding contributions to the neighborhood.

Wow, the old saying about home is true!

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