First News takes on the world!
Leading newspaper for children and young adults launches into the international market
Following ten years in the UK, with more than 10,000 subscribing schools, First News is going global! First News International is a new version of the popular newspaper, with content created specifically for children around the world. The paper is accompanied by a new digital learning resources package, the iHub, developed in collaboration with teachers.
Print and digital formats will be available, complemented by the iHub digital learning resource platform. The iHub was built in collaboration with teachers and is designed to be used in the classroom and at home. Supporting a wide range of literacy levels, the iHub engages children in the week’s top stories, testing their comprehension and critical thinking skills through a variety of activities, including polls, debates, competitions, puzzles and crosswords. The iHub is matched with key stages of development to meet the needs of different students.
Nicky Cox, Editor in Chief at First News said: “Children are 27 percent of the world’s population but 100 percent of the future. First News International has been created to help grow children’s awareness of the world around them as they become global citizens; giving them a voice and fuelling their conversations. We cover the world’s major news stories each week in a way that children can understand, enabling them to join in the global conversation. The success of First News in the UK shows how important it is to build respect for other cultures and debate the issues facing the world they will inherit. Launching the paper and iHub internationally allows us to help teachers and parents support children in building an understanding of the world around them, while also improving their literacy levels, building language skills and fuel classroom debates.”
David Cameron said: “It’s great to see how First News has grown, informing and entertaining a young readership across the country and helping to raise the profile of children’s views. I saw for myself how first-rate your team is when I was interviewed by your young reporters last year.”
Jonathon Douglas from National Literacy Trust added: “Giving children access to dedicated news and current affairs content broadens the range of what they are offered to read. A variety of engaging reading materials are essential for children to develop as independent and enthusiastic readers.”
Schools will be able to choose from two different subscription packages:
– A ‘Bundle Package’, which features both print and digital editions of the weekly newspaper and access to the iHub.
– A ‘Digital Package’, which features digital editions of the weekly newspaper and access to the iHub.
First News International is also seeking contributions from students! Be heard on the most pressing global issues, such as the EU Vote and Refugee Crisis by contacting enquiries@firstnewsinternational.com.
For more information, please visit: www.firstnewsinternational.com
