We’ve arrived at the final stretch of Building a NewsHour, and this week, the newsroom magic is in full swing! Students are stepping behind the camera and into the spotlight, building interview sets, refining sound and lighting, practicing their interviews, and recording their final projects.
It’s a week of creative momentum, real-world collaboration, and storytelling that reflects the world through their eyes.
Get ready for your young reporters to set the scene and shape the story! 
Week 3 of Building a NewsHour is now live on Mizzen! In Part 4 of this engaging media literacy series from our partners at PBS News Student Reporting Labs, students take the reins behind the scenes, learning how environment, lighting, and set design influence the way stories are experienced.
This week, learners in grades 3–5 will:
- Scout and evaluate real-world locations
- Design engaging interview sets
- Use lighting and layout to create impact
- Build an interview prep checklist like the pros
It’s hands-on, creative, and designed to help students think like producers. These lessons are perfect for afterschool or summer learning programs that want to boost youth storytelling skills while deepening visual and spatial literacy.
Week 2 of Building a NewsHour is here, and your young learners are stepping into the real work of reporting.
In Parts 2 and 3, learners explore the human side of journalism: how to prepare for interviews, ask meaningful questions, and build trust with their sources. Along the way, they’ll craft scripts, design visuals, and start pulling together segments that reflect their unique perspectives.
It’s hands-on, purpose-driven, and a whole lot of fun. From cold calls to camera rolls, your students are building both the skills and the confidence to report stories with purpose.Â
🎥🎤 Mizzen Spotlight: The Newsroom is Open!
This summer, PBS News Student Reporting Labs is back with a brand-new experience just for elementary and middle school youth. Module 3 – Building a NewsHour helps students (Grades 3–5) step into the world of journalism, where they don’t just report the news, they shape it.
Through 36 hands-on lessons, learners will practice the skills it takes to build a news show from the ground up…from sourcing stories and asking sharp questions to planning a set and running the show!
We’re kicking things off this week with Part 1 (Activities 1-7), easy-to-follow lesson plans that help your young learners understand what makes a story newsworthy and how a great team brings it to life. They’ll explore angles, spot fake news, role-play newsroom jobs, and even begin to assemble their own dream crew.Â
Ready to jump in?