Journalism Primer 2

[Mike Gange]

Once you have settled on a format, decide what sections of the newspaper you want to have.

You can have some stand bys. News and sports are obvious. Editorials are a good idea. I hate gossip columns. They are always so much tattle-tale stuff. And someone always gets embarrassed. More kids are going to the movies than adults. The movie public is typically 14 to 28 y. o. because parents have to spend time with their kids at what ever stage of life they may be, whether infant or young adult. Also parents don't always have the cash to go to a movie, but the kids do....from grandma or birthday presents. Or from dad's wallet. From my hand to theirs. Which is why I have no money. Anyway, make a movie review section too, if you want. Or a music review section.

 

(Incidentally, I am going to be in Boston in April at the ACME conference, teaching a session on how to  get your kids to write reviews. Maybe we will see you there.)

 

I have the kids write evergreen news stories. That means that these stories are not stale dated by the end of the week. They should stand and be readable for a long while. Reporting on the dance last night is not a good idea. Reporting on the attendance at the dances is a good story.

 

And if you want an activity that is evergreen, try this: have your students write a story about something from the year they were born. This coming group of grade 12's were born in 1993. So have them look at aspects of 1993. Top NFL team. Top NHL team. Top MLB team. Mayor of the town or ville you live in. Notable politicians. World leaders.

 

Have a list of 35 items the kids can write on. Put them on the board or on the computer projected onto the front. Then in a class session, have them pick, and label the ones they have. Ok, Bob, you have the NFL, Charlene, You have top fashion looks of that year. Kim you have cars. No changing, so swapping stories. That's assigned, so get it done.

 

You might look at an example here: http://fhsblackkat.wordpress.com/

I mention it not to say look at us, but rather to say here is an idea, maybe it will inspire you to do something workable too.