Target Date involves compiling a collection of newspapers published on the same date and using them in a comparison study. The date can be one selected in advance at random by the students and the teacher, or it can be one of special significance because of its expected news - the day after or before the Super Bowl or an Olympics competition, an election, space launch, peace conference or referendum. The variations of the comparisons that can be done using the newspaper collection are many.
Teachers can tie the newspaper comparison to almost any study unit or theme.
Let your imaginations free. Simply comparing another newspaper with your own local one can provide insights into community similarities and differences and can help students practice their skills of locating and using information from printed sources that utilize similar general organizational formats. Students write business request letters for newspapers in advance of the date they and their teacher select as their Target Date. At least 10 or 15 newspapers from around the state or province , region, country or the world are needed for a good comparison study with variety. On Target Date the students make careful note of news reports in their local newspapers and on radio and television, and they keep a record of what went on of special interest and importance that day.