Summer Reporter at Large
by Betsy Van Dorn
Spending part of the summer with relatives or family friends? Don't just hang out with 'em -- let them help you get a head start on the upcoming school year. How? By sending them back to their childhoods and tapping their memories. Not only will you discover another side of the adults in your life, you'll be compiling a stash of themes and ideas you can use when the teacher asks you to do any creative or "free" writing.
At the next family gathering, why not try being a reporter at large? It's a fun way to get grownups to stop being adults for a while and it'll help you later on. . . when your classmates are groaning, "But I don't know what to write about!"
- What you need: One or more kids to act as Reporters At Large
- Your most important equipment: Curiosity and humor.
- Your goal: To find out what those adults were up to before they grew up
If your family owns a video camera, ask permission to use it. (If you haven't had any experience, ask an adult to show you how.) If not, do what most reporters do - scribble down notes as best you can, check facts, and work them up into readable form later. Check out these sample topics and questions!
Activities Did you have a favorite hobby? What was it? How long did you keep it up?
Did you ever play a musical instrument? Which one? Did you take lessons? How did you feel about practising?
When did you attend your first dance? Did you ever go to dancing school? Please demonstrate your favorite dance step for the audience.
What was your favorite sport? What did you like best about it? Were you ever on a team? What position did you play? Travel
What was the best family vacation you can remember? Where did you go? Who came along?
When was the first time you traveled alone? Where were you headed? What happened on the trip? School
Did you like school? Why or why not?
Describe a favorite teacher.
What subject gave you the most headaches? How much homework did you have every night?
Were you allowed to watch TV on weeknights? Summertime
Did you ever go to camp? What's your best memory? Your worst? Who was your favorite counsellor? Why?
How old were you when you learned to swim? Do you remember who taught you? Ever have a scary moment in the water?
What was your first summer job? How much were you paid? Describe a typical day on the job.
Were you ever bored during the summer? What did you do when there was "nothing to do"? World history
What major world events influenced your daily life?
What newspaper headline can you still see in your mind?
Who were your heros? Conclusion
Sometimes, a good reporter has to dig a little to get the story. If you come across grownups who say, "Hmm, I just just can't recall... " remind them that you're doing them a big favor by helping them sharpen their memories! And after all is said and done, you'll have created a unique collection of facts and insights that can be a springboard for next year's writing assignments.
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