Journalism Lesson Plan

Overview:Some consider them the hope for saving fossil fuel and protecting our environment. Others think they are overrated and overpriced. Are hybrid cars all they’re supposed to be? Lots of sites give information, but none are like that of Jason Siegel, a 20-year-old entrepreneur who started his own Internet development and Web site design business at 15. When he received a Toyota Prius in November 2003 he launched the site GreenHybrid.com, an interactive page filled with hybrid car information.

Suggested time allotment: Explore Siegel’s site and use it as the basis for a feature about hybrids.
Objectives

Students will:

1. Explore GreenHybird.com and develop a list of questions such car buyers might have. These could include mileage, new car cost, trade-in value, battery life and cost, etc.
2. Attempt to answer the questions on GreenHybrid.com and other Web site. Then explore the answers with car dealers in the area.
3. Write a clear and balanced feature about these cars – pros and cons from the student angle.
4. Consider infographics to compare various features.

Standards: National Council of Teachers of English and International Reading Association Standards for English Language Arts:

4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
8. Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
12. Students use spoken, written and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion and the exchange of information).

Resources and materials:
Web sites with information:
• Jason Siegel’s site is:
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• Also check out the U.S. Government page – fueleconomy.gov.
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