Creating with Newspaper

5th Grade Lesson (can be modified for other grades)

Randi Chancey

Math Concept:
Mathematical Practices:
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in
solving them.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique
the reasoning
of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
Perform operations with multi-digit
whole numbers and with decimals to
hundredths.
5. Fluently multiply multi-digit whole
numbers using the standard algorithm.
Analyze patterns and relationships.
3. Generate two numerical patterns using two
given rules. Identify apparent relationships
between corresponding
terms.

DRAFT VERSION (Powell, 2015)

Integrated Thematic Topic:

Using Newspaper to Create Useful Items
Essential Questions:
o What can newspaper be used for?
o Why is newspaper useful to reuse?
Essential Academic Terms:
o Newspaper
o Recycling
o Brainstorm
o Useful
Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
o Given a pile of old newspapers,
students will create 2 new uses for the
newspaper
o Given a set of materials students will
be able to brainstorm at least 5 things
that could be made using old
newspaper
o Students will be able to use a ruler as
a form measurement when creating

Technology Concept:
Standard 3- Computer Technology
o Computers, as tool for design,
modeling, information processing,
communication, and system control,
have greatly increased human
productivity and knowledge.
Standard 4: Technology Systems
o Technological systems are designed to
achieve specific results and produce
outputs, such as products, structures,
services, energy, or other systems.

Science Concept:
STANDARD 1-Analysis, Inquiry,
and Design
o S1.1 Ask "why" questions in attempts
to seek greater understanding
concerning objects and events they
have observed and heard about.
o S2.1 Develop written plans for
exploring phenomena or for
evaluating explanations guided by
questions or proposed explanations
they have helped formulate.
o T1.1c Suggest ways the object can be
made differently, fixed, or improved
within given constraints
o T1.5a Determine a way to test the
finished solution or model
STANDARD 2-Information Systems
o Information technology is used to
retrieve, process, and communicate
information and as a tool to enhance
learning.
o use computer technology, traditional
paper-based resources, and
interpersonal discussions to learn, do,
and share science in the classroom
STANDARD 7Interdisciplinary
Problem Solving
o design solutions to problems

DRAFT VERSION (Powell, 2015)

their new objects

Assessment:
o Students will create at least 2 new
uses for old newspapers
o Students will construct a written
paragraph with at least 5 sentences
explaining why their creation is useful
o Students will share with their peers 3
reasons why reusing and recycling
newspaper is useful for other
purposes.

Engineering Concept:
Students engage in the following steps
in a design process
o Describe objects, imaginary or real,
that might be modeled or made
differently and suggest ways in which
the objects can be changed, fixed, or
improved.
o generate ideas for possible solutions,
individually and through group
activity; apply age-appropriate
mathematics and science skills;
evaluate the ideas and determine the
best solution; and explain reasons for
the choices

involving a familiar and real context,

investigate related science concepts to
determine the solution, and use
mathematics to model, quantify,
measure, and compute
o Solving interdisciplinary problems
involves a variety of skills and
strategies, including effective work
habits; gathering and processing
information; generating and analyzing
ideas; realizing ideas; making
connections among the common
themes of mathematics, science, and
technology; and presenting results.
Guiding Questions for Project-Based or Inquiry-Based Activities:
What is the problem (question) that needs to be solved (answered)?
How can students use stacks of old newspaper to create a useful item?
Who has the problem (question)?
Students and Teachers
Why is this problem (question) important to solve (answer)?
Limited experience and resources might hold back the execution of meaningful and explicit teaching of STEM lessons. Exploring
useful ways to reuse newspapers will make the instructional exploration more meaningful.
http://www.homemadehomeideas.com/18-creative-things-to-do-with-old-newspapers/
https://www.foe.co.uk/living/articles/36-uses-old-newspapers

DRAFT VERSION (Powell, 2015)

Lesson Outline

Creating with Newspaper

5th Grade Lesson (can be modified for other grades)

o
o
o

Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
Given a pile of old newspapers, students will create 2 new uses for the newspaper
Given a set of materials students will be able to brainstorm at least 5 things that could be made using old newspaper
Students will be able to use a ruler as a form measurement when creating their new objects

Learning Steps:
o Teacher will hold up a piece of newspaper and ask students what they think it is or what they know about it.
o Teacher will ask what a newspaper is used for/
Essential Questions:
Materials
o What can newspaper be used for?
o Newspaper, scissors, glue, rulers, markers
o Why is newspaper useful to reuse?
o Students will watch this video on reusing everyday materials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCmQhwoKb3A
o Students will share their thoughts.
Hands-On
o Teacher will hand out a worksheet for students to record their ideas
o Students will fill out the 1st section with things they could use old newspaper for, then for the 2nd they will write down objects
they can make with old newspaper, and in the 3rd they will explain why they think their re-made object is most useful.
o Then students will get with a partner to create their vision!
Closing
o Teacher will ask students how this activity made them feel
o Students will share something they learned
o Students will share with peers what they have made!
DRAFT VERSION (Powell, 2015)

What can we do with old newspapers?

What can we create with old

newspapers?

Why is your new creation useful to us in

everyday life?

DRAFT VERSION (Powell, 2015)