Women in the News Activity (Grades 5-12)

Every day for a month, students study the front page of their hometown newspaper.

Students are divided into groups:

• 2 groups to study photos

• 2 groups to study author bylines

• 1 group to study authorities and experts quoted in the articles.

Groups studying photos should determine:

• the number of photos depicting women as leaders

• the number of photos showing women as window dressing

• the number of photos portraying women as victims

• the number of days there are no photos of women

• the number of days there are no photos of men.

Groups studying author bylines should determine:

• the number of front page stories written by women

• the number of front page stories written by men

• the total number of stories on the front page.

Groups studying authorities and experts should determine:

• who are the authorities quoted in the articles

• how many are women

• how many are men.

Before the survey begins, students should make predictions about what the final results will be.

• Tabulate information daily.

• Graph the results.

• Discuss the results and debate what the information means. Explore possible reasons for the findings.

• Write a letter to the newspaper inviting the editor to visit the class and discuss the results.

• How does the local paper compare to USA Today, a newspaper that claims to pay attention to making women visible within its pages?

Activity developed by Ron Adams, Broad Meadows Middle School, Quincy, MA.

Top of Page