Breaking News & All in a Day's Work - Level 29-30

This dynamic book pairs the fictional play Breaking News with the non-fiction recount All in a Day's Work. In Breaking News, students at Newtown School struggle to revive their school newspaper. Through humour and dramatic conventions, they learn the importance of pursuing strong leads and collaborating to create compelling stories. The script format and media-related vocabulary support understanding of journalistic writing, making it ideal for group reading or performance. All in a Day's Work follows a day in the life of a newspaper photographer, offering real-world insight into media careers. With its chronological structure and first-person present-tense narration, students gain an authentic perspective on how news is captured and shared. Together, the texts build knowledge of media roles, workplace challenges, and the storytelling power of the press.

Educational Benefits:

• Develops awareness of media roles and communication
• Reinforces text structure comparison (script vs article)
• Expands vocabulary related to journalism and photography
• Enhances skills in summarising and evaluating information

Classroom Ideas:

• Perform Breaking News as a class play
• Interview a local journalist or create a mock press conference
• Design a classroom newspaper using facts and opinions
• Compare the responsibilities of different media professionals

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages 9+
• Book size: 207mm x 148mm
• Durable construction for classroom use
• No small parts or hazardous content