Identify key words and concepts in a given news article. Identify words to add to a class vocabulary list. This is a year-long weekly activity. Start with having students clip complete articles from current newspapers. Students take question answers and rewrite the article from another viewpoint.
Students create a cartoon on a current news topic.
Students can write editorials and letters to the editor. Use newspapers from a variety of towns if possible. A variety from different towns allows students to experience subjects from different viewpoints. Parents are a great source. This is an activity that can be varied and naturally evolves into many activities, some student suggested.