Teach your homeschooling middle school child all about Journalism with these basic, but challenging ideas. Early high school students will also be perfect candidates to learn the basics of newspaper and media writing.

First, begin with an outline of the simple ideas you wish to teach or review when exploring journalism. Use the list below:

1. What is a newspaper?
2. Understanding news.
3. Gathering news: questioning and interviewing skills & strategies.
4. Covering a beat: what does it mean?
5. Writing a news lead.
6. Writing a news story.
7. Using Journalism Style in your writing.
8. Writing specialty stories (ie. health, local news).
9. Writing feature stories.
10. Sports writing.
11. Writing Editorials and Opinion Columns.
12. In-Depth reporting.
13. Writing headlines effectively.
14. Writing reviews: food, book, movie, television.
15. The history of journalism.
16. Yellow Journalism
17. Dissect a newspaper: Have newspapers ready for your homeschoolers to go through page by page and identify the components.
18. Compare and contrast print and online media.
19. Discuss online and media responsibility.
20. Review plagiarism.

After gathering materials to teach the basic components, plan for extracurricular activities to complement your study. See if your local town newspaper would allow a homeschool field trip. Also, if you have a local television station inquire whether they would allow a field trip as well. Sometimes having the ability to be hands on and see journalists in actions is extremely motivating for young writers.

Utilize online resources, as well as books as needed. Below you will find several books that will enhance your Journalism study, and several of the texts will even cover all of the basics. With the steady influence of online media, journalism is sure to be an evolving and engaging career option for many young people. Start with the basics for your homeschooler and take note of his or her interests along the way.