This document provides instructions for a 2nd grade current events assignment. Students are asked to find a recent editorial article expressing an opinion on a topic. They must write a summary of the article, explain its importance and why they chose it. The summary and explanation should each be a paragraph. Students are given guidelines on choosing a current article, completing an organizer form, and getting their work proofread before submitting.

1. Name: ________________ # _____ Date: __________________
March 14, 2011
Current Event:
Editorial Article, 2nd Grade
This week you will be looking for a current event that fits the description of an
editorial. An editorial article expresses the opinion of the editor or senior writer on staff.
There are times that editors answer questions or respond to letters written to them as
well. Find an article that interests you either in the subject that it refers to, or the opinion
that it gives, and write a summary that describes what is being discussed and why.
Remember to choose an article that is no more than 2 weeks old. Great places to look
would be the Benicia Herald, the Vallejo Times Herald, online, or even in magazines.
Many newspapers have online versions that they update daily if you do not subscribe to
a newspaper. Another great place to look is the public library. They subscribe to many
of the local newspapers and also have internet access available.
After you have chosen your story, complete the form on the back of this page to
help you organize your thoughts. Your writing will need to include a summary of the
article, explain why the article is important or who it will affect, and tell about why you
chose this story. After filling in the organizer on the back, you will need to rewrite your
information into two separate paragraphs. One paragraph for your summary, and
another paragraph for your other information. Your final copy should be written in ink or
typed. Have fun and happy current event hunting!
Remember:
• A summary is a paragraph that includes only the main details of the article. Only
include the information that is the most important and leave out the smaller details.
• The story or article you choose must be current! You cannot choose a story that is
more than 2 weeks old.
• Your current events are due Friday. When you turn them in they should include a
completed back page and the article or story / information about the news
program.
• Have a parent proofread your writing to check for spelling and grammar mistakes.

2. Name of Newspaper or Other Source:
______________________________________________
Date of Article or Story:
___________________________________________________________
Title of Article or Story:
___________________________________________________________
Who is the article about?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Where does the story take place?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What is the article about?
Summary (remember to just include the main points!):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
You can attach another sheet of paper if you need more space.
Why did you choose this article?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
• Make sure a parent or other adult proofreads your work before you do your final
copy!