A fun way top start this exercise is by using made-up news such as: "Aliens Land in New Jersey." Let your kids announce the basic facts and then take a few questions. Then see who can write a lead paragraph first, emphasizing the who, what, where, when and why. Next, read the stories aloud, pointing out missing or assumed information (for instance, who said the aliens were dangerous?). Then use a real story and see who comes closest to the actual lead paragraph.
