As "ACE" journalists, you and your team members will:

•      Work cooperatively to complete this project
•      Decide the responsibilities of each team member
•      Brainstorm people to invite for interviews
•      Write a friendly letter inviting the guest(s) 
•      Schedule interviews with your guest(s) and teacher
•      Prepare interview questions that will provide interesting article details
•      Introduce and interview guest(s) in the classroom
•      Take photographs and collect interesting details throughout the interview 
•      Prepare article draft using collected information 
•      Edit the article for publication 
•      Publish your completed article in the classroom newspaper 

Work cooperatively to complete this project
     Each team consists of individuals with different strengths and talents.  You will need to identify what you do best and share it with your team members.  Are you good at taking photographs, researching and collecting information, writing letters and articles, scheduling guests, designing newspaper or organizing projects?   Whatever your talent, choose a task that will help your team complete this task.  Remember that communication is the key to cooperatively learning.  You will share ideas, discuss issues and develop a plan to complete this project.

Brainstorm people to invite for interviews
     You will want to create a list of people to invite to your classroom for interviews.  You will want to consider what contributions or connections these people have with your classroom - i.e., school nurse, principal, superintendent, politician, or community member.  It would be helpful to have a variety of guests.  You  want your readers to make a connection with the guests.   Your guest list should represent diversity in interests, generate conversations, and create connections with your readers.

Write a friendly letter
     After completing your guest list, your team will write a friendly letter to the guest(s).  This letter will include heading, date, salutation, body and closing.  You will need to find out your guest's full name, address and contact number.  In the body of the letter, you should tell the guest(s)  why he/she was chosen to be interviewed by the classroom.  You will share with your guest how long the interview will last, have he/she prepared to answer questions and share about their background, contributions to the community and future plans.  In the letter closing, solicit a response from your guest.  For example, ask the guest(s) to contact you to schedule an interview date.  When you mail your friendly letter, be sure to  thank your guest(s) for his/her time and consideration of this opportunity. Click on the link to learn more about writing a friendly letter.

Schedule Interviews
     You've received response(s) from your guest(s).  You are ready to schedule his/her interview with your classroom.  You will need to review with your teacher, time slots that are available for your guest.  You will need to know what days and times will work for your classroom before you contact the guest(s).  If you have a few choices to share with your guest(s) then the guest(s) may choose one that works for him/her.  Typically, most guest(s) interviews will last from 30-60 minutes.  When talking with your guest, let him/her know that photographs will be taken to use with the published article.  It will be helpful for you to role play your telephone conversation with your partner before making the telephone call.  You are representing your class and school when you make the telephone call, please use appropriate telephone manners throughout your telephone conversations.  Once you and your guest(s) have agreed upon a date and time, write a short informal note confirming this information with your guest(s).  The note may be mailed or emailed to him/her.
 

Interview Questions
     As you prepare for your guest(s) interview, you need to write open ended questions to ask your guest(s).  Click on the guest interview link below for additional information.

Interview
    Today is the day!  You are preparing for your guest interview.  Click on the interview notes link for further details.

Draft
    You may use a word processing program or  Publisher to create your rough draft.  Use the planning chart link to organize your draft.  Once your draft is completed, you will need to revise and edit it.  Be sure to have a friend or two read the article and make comments or suggestions.

Published Article
    Before you finalize your article, you will need to review the project evaluation.  It is best to compare  the evaluation with your article.  Then you are ready to publish your article.