How Childhood Has Changed | Intergenerational Feature Writing | 8-12

This is the assignment your students come back and tell you about years later. They interview an older family member or adult about what growing up was like in a different era, interview two or three peers about what life is like now, find national data from sources like Pew Research or the CDC, and write a 600–1,200 word feature story that weaves all three together. It's a journalism skills assignment. It's also an oral history exercise. The people your students interview won't always be around to ask. What's Included: Three version options built into the same document — Version A (childhood broadly:

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technology, independence, play, family life, safety, entertainment), Version B (the school experience), Version C (level-specific: middle school, high school, or college — directly comparable, apples to apples) Older subject interview prep — background research guidance, question-writing page with 8 slots and 3 starters Older subject interview notes — starred quote boxes, "most surprising thing" box, follow-up question log Peer interview notes — two-column layout for two peers, third peer section, quote capture Data research guide — source table (Pew Research, Gallup, CDC, Census Bureau, BLS, Common Sense Media), version-specific data angle suggestions, and two structured data-logging forms Writing assignment — three story structure options: Then vs. Now, The Conversation, The Change Itself 100-point rubric across 6 criteria including data integration and generational balance Self-reflection questions and teacher notes with timing guidance, data coaching, and NSPA/JEA competition submission guidance How to Use It: Distribute one document and adapt on the fly — every section includes a Version A/B/C note so teachers can assign different versions to different classes or let students choose. Works as a standalone feature writing assignment or as the capstone interview project inside a longer unit. Strong fit for journalism, ELA research writing, oral history projects, and social studies intergenerational units.

14 pages, Word format, fully editable. This assignment is part of the Interview Techniques Bundle — a complete 3-week journalism unit covering interview skills from first question to published story. Both are included in the Complete High School Journalism Curriculum Bundle. If this resource saved you prep time, please leave a rating under My Purchases Provide Feedback. Every review earns you TpT Credits toward future purchases — roughly $1 in credits for every $10 reviewed. Follow Starmaker English & Journalism Tools to be notified when new resources launch or go on sale. Keywords:

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Designed for grades 8-12.

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