So you think you know Indiana?

Celebrating 200 years of the Hoosier state

By Nelson Price

This project first appeared in Indiana newspapers as a 15-part series targeting fourth graders, but entertaining readers of all ages.

Thanks to grants from four organizations, now copies of a hardcover, color book will appear in libraries across the state as part of a legacy project endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission.

The Indiana Newspaper in Education Advisory Board and NIE Foundation started the project in 2014. The Indiana Library Federation, the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation and the Indiana State Reading Association provided additional financial support to donate the books to each elementary school library in the state.

Teachers who would like to share the content with students may use the PDF of the book by clicking here.

However no part of the book may be reproduced for other purposes without the express written consent of the publisher.

Download 2×4 ads promoting newspapers and reading

  • Click here for ads geared to children, teens and adults.

Newspapers = Informational Text in Reading Core Standards

The newspaper is a perfect classroom tool for teaching reading core standards. It’s the only textbook that’s updated daily.

Our newspapers serve as the watchdog of government in a democratic society. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press and free speech, among other rights.

Teachers play a major role in explaining to students the role of a free press in a democracy. We may not like everything we hear or read, but as Americans we treasure the right to express our opinions.

Get dozens of classroom activities using newspapers

  • Click here to view Newspaper in Education activities by grade level (with Common Core State Standards and Indiana Educational Standards).
  • Click here to view Newspaper in Education activities by category (with Common Core State Standards and Indiana Educational Standards).
  • Click here for tips for using newspapers in your classroom.

Teens read the newspaper. Click on the video to see why

You will view the video via YouTube.com. Post-video YouTube content may vary and is not a product of HSPA Foundation.

Click here to download the video.

Check out more newspaper-inspired teaching materials