The Press Pack Club website is a virtual newsroom where children can learn the skills of journalism, which are embedded within the National Curriculum.
For more information and the curriculum relevance of each activity, click on the links below:
What is Press Pack?
The Press Pack Club website is a virtual newsroom where children can learn the skills of journalism.
After joining the FREE club, they create a virtual version of themselves.
Guided by a computerised editor, they take their character on a tour of the newsroom.
As well as giving children the chance to have their report published on the internet, there are a variety of educational games and interactive quizzes which develop reporting skills while earning points.
A thousand points opens the door to the top floor of the newsroom, providing an opportunity to develop the skills of a senior journalist.
The whole site is packed with entertaining games, votes, competitions and prizes.
Accessing the Press Pack Club
The Press Pack Club is free for everyone to use. You don't need to join. To access the website, go to www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/presspack and click on the different activities.
The advantage of joining is that students can collect points as a way of monitoring their progress.
How to join
Students complete two quick-and-easy forms. This takes about five minutes.
They click on the "Become a member button" on the Press Pack Club homepage and fill in their details. It's simple and all personal information is completely safe.
They will then be asked to create their own Press Pack character and take a personality quiz to determine their virtual editor.
Students are now ready to start collecting Press Pack Points, which they can keep score of by visiting "My Room."
Once they have 1,000 points they can move up to the next level - The Top Floor - which aims to develop editorial skills.
Teachers
Teachers don't need to join the Press Pack Club either. They too can access the site by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/presspack and clicking on the different activities.
Teachers wishing to access all areas of the site, including the Top Floor, can apply for a fast-track ID. Just click on the link above and select Press Pack from the dropdown menu. In the comments box explain that you are a teacher and need a fast-track ID.
Returning to the Press Pack Club
When returning to the Press Pack Club, click on the "Sign in" arrow and enter your member name and password.
Some students may already have a bbc.co.uk membership which they use to enter CBBC sites such as Xchange or CBeebies. They can use the same member name and password to enter the Press Pack Club site.
Getting a story
This tutorial involves watching a short animated story about a skate park. Students answer questions about the key facts - who, what, where, when and why.
The accompanying quiz teaches students how to spot a good story, gather all the facts and chose the best stories for their audience.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En2 Reading
4c. Pupils should be taught to sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
5c. Pupils should be taught how the nature and purpose of media products influence content and meaning e.g. selection of stories for a front page or news broadcast.
9c. The range should include media and moving image texts e.g. newspapers and videos.
Researching a story
This tutorial involves researching facts, contained within Newsround' s online guides, in preparation for an interview with a celebrity.
The accompanying quiz asks students to decide on the best sources of information for different stories.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En2 Reading
4. Pupils should be taught to:
a. Select, compare and synthesise information from different texts.
b. Evaluate how information is presented.
c. Sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
9b. The range should include print and ICT-based information.
En3 Writing
2a. Pupils should be taught to plan their work on paper and on screen.
National Curriculum ICT Key Stage 3
1. Pupils should be taught to:
a. Be systematic in considering the information they need and to discuss how it will be used.
b. Obtain information well matched to purpose by selecting appropriate sources, using and refining search methods and questioning the plausibility and value of the information found.
Telling a story with interviews
This tutorial involves selecting open questions from a list. These are questions beginning with who, what, where, when and why. The aim is to keep the interviewee, Newsround's Rachel, talking for as long as possible.
The accompanying quiz teaches students how to strike a balance between asking questions of interest and respecting the privacy of the interviewee. Pupils are also asked to think carefully about the order of questions during an interview.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En1 Speaking and listening
1a. Pupils should be taught to structure their talk clearly.
2f. Pupils should be taught to ask questions and give relevant and helpful comments.
En2 Reading
4c. Pupils should be taught to sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
5d. Pupils should be taught how audiences respond to media.
9b. The range should include ICT-based information.
En3 Reading
1g. Pupils should be taught to consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details.
Telling a story with pictures
This tutorial involves putting together a picture story using photographs and captions.
The accompanying quiz explains how to take good pictures to liven up a report.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En2 Reading
5. Pupils should be taught:
a. How meaning is conveyed in texts that include images.
b. How choice of form, layout and presentation contribute to effect e.g. font, caption, illustration in printed text, sequencing, framing, soundtrack in moving image text.
9b. The range should include ICT-based information.
En3 Reading
1a. Pupils should be taught to:
a. Use a range of techniques and different ways of organising and structuring material to convey ideas, themes and characters.
h. Present material clearly, using appropriate layout, illustrations and organisation
5c. Pupils should be taught make full use of different presentational devices where appropriate.
7d. Pupils should be taught the structure of whole texts, including cohesion, openings and conclusions in different types of writing.
8b. Pupils should be taught to inform, explain and describe, focusing on conveying information and ideas clearly.
Telling a story with words
This tutorial involves putting a newspaper report together from beginning to end. This includes rearranging notes to form a story and adding a headline, photograph and quotations.
The accompanying quiz focuses on using words clearly, concisely and correctly in an news story - the three Cs of reporting.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En2 Reading
1e. Pupils should be taught to consider how meanings are changed when texts are adapted to different media.
4c. Pupils should be taught to sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
5. Pupils should be taught:
b. How choice of form, layout and presentation contribute to effect e.g. font, caption, illustration in printed text.
c. How the nature and purpose of media products influence content and meaning, e.g. selection of stories for a front page or news broadcast.
9. The range should include:
a. Print and ICT-based information.
b. Media.
En3 Writing
1. Pupils should be taught to:
e. Form sentences and paragraphs that express connections between information and ideas precisely.
f. Use formal and impersonal language and concise expression.
g. Consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details.
h. Present material clearly using appropriate layout, illustrations and organisation.
2a. Pupils should be taught to plan, draft and redraft their work on screen.
7d. Pupils should be taught the structure of whole texts, including cohesion, openings and conclusions in different types of writing.
9b. The range of purposes for writing should include to inform, explain and describe, focusing on conveying information and ideas clearly.
Checking a story
This tutorial involves creating a balanced set of film comments, or vox pop, telling both sides of the story and using a good mix of people.
The accompanying quiz focuses on writing reports that are balanced, accurate clear, fair and considerate.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En1 Speaking and listening
2. Pupils should be taught to:
a. Concentrate on and recall the main features of a talk, reading, radio or television programme.
b. Identify the major elements of what is being said both explicitly and implicitly.
9b. The range should include listening to and watching recordings.
En2 Reading
1. Pupils should be taught:
a. To extract meaning beyond the literal, explaining how the choice of language and style affects implied and explicit meanings.
e. To consider how meanings are changed when texts are adapted to different media.
4. Pupils should be taught to:
b. Evaluate how information is presented.
c. Sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
d. Identify the characteristic features, at word, sentence and text level, of different types of texts.
5. Pupils should be taught:
a. How meaning is conveyed in texts that include print and images.
c. How the nature and purpose of media products influence content and meaning.
d. How audiences and readers choose and respond to media.
9. The range should include:
b. Print and ICT-based information.
c. Media and moving image texts e.g. videos.
En3 Writing
1. Pupils should be taught to:
e. Form sentences and paragraphs that express connections between information and ideas precisely.
f. Use formal and impersonal language and concise expression.
g. Consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details.
h. Present material clearly using appropriate layout, illustrations and organisation.
3. Pupils should be taught to use the full range of punctuation marks correctly to signal sentence structure, and to help the reader.
4d. Pupils should be taught to check their spelling for errors and use a dictionary when necessary.
2a. Pupils should be taught to plan, draft and redraft their work on screen.
9b. The range of purposes for writing should include to inform, explain and describe, focusing on conveying information and ideas clearly.
National Curriculum ICT Key Stage 3
1b. Pupils should be taught how to obtain information well matched to purpose by selecting appropriate sources.
Top floor of the Press Pack
To gain access students need over 1,000 points.
Sub editor tutorial
The tutorial and quiz both focus on checking a reporter's work for legal issues, spelling, grammar, contradiction and repetition.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En2 Reading
1. Pupils should be taught:
a. To extract meaning beyond the literal, explaining how the choice of language and style affects implied and explicit meanings.
b. To analyse and discuss alternative interpretations, ambiguity and allusion.
d. To identify the perspectives offered on individuals, community and society.
e. To consider how meanings are changed when texts are adapted to different media.
4. Pupils should be taught to:
b. Evaluate how information is presented.
c. Sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
d. Identify the characteristic features, at word, sentence and text level, of different types of texts.
5. Pupils should be taught:
a. How meaning is conveyed in texts that include print and images.
b. How choice of form, layout and presentation contribute to effect.
c. How the nature and purpose of media products influence content and meaning.
d. How audiences and readers choose and respond to media.
6. Pupils should be taught to draw on their knowledge of grammar and language variation to develop their understanding of texts and how language works.
9. The range should include:
b. Print and ICT-based information.
c. Media.
En3 Writing
1. Pupils should be taught to:
e. Form sentences and paragraphs that express connections between information and ideas precisely.
f. Use formal and impersonal language and concise expression.
g. Consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details.
2. Pupils should be taught to:
a. Plan, draft and redraft their work on screen.
c. Analyse critically their own and others' writing.
3. Pupils should be taught to use the full range of punctuation marks correctly to signal sentence structure, and to help the reader.
4d. Pupils should be taught to check their spelling for errors and use a dictionary when necessary.
7. Pupils should be taught the principles of sentence grammar and whole-text cohesion and use this knowledge in their writing.
9b. The range of purposes for writing should include to inform, explain and describe, focusing on conveying information and ideas clearly.
Editor tutorial
This tutorial involves choosing the best news stories for a specific audience and putting them in a good order for a TV bulletin or school newspaper.
The accompanying quiz embellishes these skills and develops the ability to write for a particular audience, compile a good mixture of stories and make quick decisions.
Curriculum relevance
National Curriculum Citizenship Key Stage 3
1h. Pupils should be taught about the significance of the media in society.
2a. Pupils should be taught to think about topical events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources.
National Curriculum English Key Stage 3, En2 Reading
1. Pupils should be taught:
b. To analyse and discuss alternative interpretations.
d. To identify the perspectives offered on individuals, community and society.
4. Pupils should be taught to:
b. Evaluate how information is presented.
c. Sift the relevant from the irrelevant, and distinguish between fact and opinion, bias and objectivity.
5. Pupils should be taught:
a. How meaning is conveyed in texts that include print, images and sometimes sounds.
b. How choice of form, layout and presentation contribute to effect e.g. sequencing, framing, soundtrack in moving image text.
c. How the nature and purpose of media products influence content and meaning e.g. selection of stories for a front page or news broadcast.
d. How audiences and readers choose and respond to media.
9. The range should include:
b. Print and ICT-based information.
c. Media and moving image texts e.g. videos.
En3 Writing
1. Pupils should be taught to:
c. Exploit choice of language and structure to achieve particular effects and appeal to the reader.
d. Use a range of techniques and different ways of organising and structuring material to convey ideas, themes and characters.
g. Consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details.
h. Present material clearly, using appropriate layout, illustrations and organisation.
2. Pupils should be taught to:
a. Plan, draft and redraft their work on screen.
c. Analyse critically their own and others' writing.
5c. Pupils should be taught to make full use of different presentational devices where appropriate.
9b. The range of purposes for writing should include to inform, explain and describe, focusing on conveying information and ideas clearly.
National Curriculum ICT Key Stage 3
3. Pupils should be taught:
a. How to interpret information and to reorganise and present it in a variety of forms that are fit for purpose e.g. information about a charitable cause presented in a leaflet for a school fundraising event.
b. To use a range of ICT tools efficiently to draft, bring together and refine information and create good-quality presentations in a form that is sensitive to the needs of particular audiences and suits the information content.
Home
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
