#BOWS

This lesson plan applies to Broadcast Journalism & Creative Writing.

 The "Community Voices" journalism project challenges students to explore social issues - defined as problems that affect many people in a society, ranging from global concerns like climate change to local matters like insufficient public transportation or food insecurity in specific neighborhoods. Students research, reflect, and on and discuss social problems they've personally witnessed or experienced, both large-scale (such as systemic inequalities in education) and small-scale (like limited youth programs in their area), before selecting one local issue to investigate deeply. Through teacher-guided activities students develop a comprehensive understanding of their chosen topic while practicing essential journalistic skills. The assignment incorporates multiple perspectives, compelling storytelling techniques, and factual evidence. Beyond building critical media literacy and writing abilities, this project empowers students to become more engaged citizens by helping them recognize their capacity to raise awareness and inspire positive change through responsible journalism. Students present their finished articles to the class and discuss potential solutions or actions that could address the community issues they've investigated, fostering collaborative problem-solving skills.