Activity Overview
The Lions of Little Rock takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas during the height of racism in the South and the Civil Rights Movement. Imagine what the headlines looked like back in 1958? In this activity, students will create a newspaper front page describing events that occurred in the novel. Students could also make up a story that they think might occur in Little Rock and write about that. Some important events students could choose from include: Liz having to leave school because she wasn’t white, Red throwing dynamite into Betty Jean’s house, teachers getting fired because of the groups they belong to, the KKK in the town, and so much more.
For additional templates to include in this assignment, check out our Newspaper Poster and Newspaper Worksheet templates!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create the front page of a newspaper, The Little Rock News!, and describe an event from the book, The Lions of Little Rock. You may also write about an event you imagine might happen in Little Rock.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify an event from The Lions of Little Rock or make one up.
- Write a captivating headline.
- Add appropriate characters, items and scenes to create at least one appealing picture on the front page that helps illustrate your event.
- Write a description of the story in the text boxes.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements:
- Headline.
- Picture(s)
- Minimum one paragraph to describe the event.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline and Descriptions | Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences. | The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief. | The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations. | The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
Activity Overview
The Lions of Little Rock takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas during the height of racism in the South and the Civil Rights Movement. Imagine what the headlines looked like back in 1958? In this activity, students will create a newspaper front page describing events that occurred in the novel. Students could also make up a story that they think might occur in Little Rock and write about that. Some important events students could choose from include: Liz having to leave school because she wasn’t white, Red throwing dynamite into Betty Jean’s house, teachers getting fired because of the groups they belong to, the KKK in the town, and so much more.
For additional templates to include in this assignment, check out our Newspaper Poster and Newspaper Worksheet templates!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create the front page of a newspaper, The Little Rock News!, and describe an event from the book, The Lions of Little Rock. You may also write about an event you imagine might happen in Little Rock.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify an event from The Lions of Little Rock or make one up.
- Write a captivating headline.
- Add appropriate characters, items and scenes to create at least one appealing picture on the front page that helps illustrate your event.
- Write a description of the story in the text boxes.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements:
- Headline.
- Picture(s)
- Minimum one paragraph to describe the event.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline and Descriptions | Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences. | The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief. | The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations. | The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
How Tos about The Lions of Little Rock Newspaper Activity
How to Facilitate Thoughtful Class Discussions After the Newspaper Activity
Encourage students to share their newspaper front pages in small groups or with the whole class. Prompt discussions about the choices they made, such as which event they covered and why it was important. This helps students deepen understanding of the novel’s themes and practice respectful listening.
Guide students to connect historical events to present-day issues
Ask your class to consider similarities between Little Rock in 1958 and current events. Facilitate comparisons that help students recognize the continued relevance of civil rights topics. This builds critical thinking and empathy.
Encourage students to use primary sources for added authenticity
Introduce historic photos, headlines, or articles from the Civil Rights era. Invite students to reference or model their newspaper layouts and language after real examples, making their projects more authentic and engaging.
Provide sentence starters for students who need extra support
Offer sentence frames or prompts to help all learners get started. For example: “On this day in Little Rock,…” or “Citizens are reacting to…” This scaffolding builds confidence and participation.
Celebrate student work with a class newspaper gallery walk
Display everyone’s newspapers around the room. Invite students to walk through, read, and leave positive sticky notes or comments for their peers. This builds a sense of community and pride in learning.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Lions of Little Rock Newspaper Activity
What is the Lions of Little Rock newspaper activity?
The Lions of Little Rock newspaper activity is a creative assignment where students design a front page for a fictional newspaper based on events from the novel The Lions of Little Rock. It encourages students to summarize key events, invent headlines, and illustrate scenes, helping them engage with the book’s themes and historical context.
How do I create a newspaper front page for the Lions of Little Rock lesson?
To create a newspaper front page, choose an event from the novel, write a captivating headline, add pictures or illustrations, and write a paragraph describing the event. Use newspaper templates if available to format your work and make it look authentic.
What are some key events from The Lions of Little Rock to include in a newspaper assignment?
Key events from The Lions of Little Rock to feature include Liz leaving school due to segregation, Red throwing dynamite into Betty Jean’s house, teachers being fired for their group associations, and the presence of the KKK in town. Students may also invent plausible events set in Little Rock during this era.
Why is the newspaper activity effective for teaching The Lions of Little Rock?
The newspaper activity is effective because it combines creativity with critical thinking. Students practice summarizing, empathize with historical perspectives, and deepen their understanding of civil rights issues by imagining and reporting on significant events from the novel.
Are there any templates or worksheets to help students complete the newspaper activity?
Yes, there are Newspaper Poster and Newspaper Worksheet templates available to help students structure their front pages. These resources guide layout, headline writing, and story organization, making the activity easier and more engaging for grades 4-6.
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