BERKELEY HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH DEPARTMENT JOURNALISM WORKSHOP: NEWSPAPER #ENY0033 Curriculum Guide September 2012 Mrs. Judith Rattner, Superintendent Mrs. Patricia Qualshie, Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Laurie Scott, District Supervisor Developed by: Doreen Ladinski This curriculum may be modified through varying techniques, strategies, and materials, as per an individual student s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Approved by the Berkeley Heights Board of Education at the regular meeting held on 11/15/12.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Vision Statement... 1 Mission Statement... 2 Course Proficiencies... 3 Course Objectives... 3 Student Proficiencies... 5 Methods of Evaluation... 7 Course Outline/Student Objectives... 8 Resources/Activities Guide... 10
VISION STATEMENT This course seeks to enable students, to produce a monthly student newspaper, through the application of skills they will have mastered, in Introduction to Journalism. The goals are to promote a forum that encourages student journalists, to develop their craft, including interview techniques, in- depth reporting and research skills, and a distinct writing style. Journalism Workshop seeks to stress ethics in journalism and the importance of fair and balanced reporting. 1
MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Newspaper Workshop: Journalism is to provide students with the opportunity to produce a monthly edition of the student newspaper. The students will apply the skills they have acquired in Introduction to Journalism, to write from a variety of specialty areas, including news, features, entertainment opinions, and sports. This course promotes civic awareness, ethical responsibility, and fair and balanced reporting. The students will develop hands- on skills, including interview and research techniques, as well as technical expertise in the use of various software applications, including In- Design and Photoshop. The students will also produce an online edition of The Highlander. 2
COURSE PROFICIENCIES COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To select specific article assignments and then utilize different means to gather information pertaining to that assignment. (RI/12-1- 3,7-9; SL/12-1- 5) A. Identify sources and utilize each to gain information. B. Fact check all material for accuracy and other qualities that are important to good reporting, including fairness and balance, and ethical considerations. C. Recognize the purpose of each assignment, gather information, and report accordingly. D. Conduct both primary and secondary interviews. E. Utilize the Internet to gather information. F. Evaluate the quality of all Internet information. 2. To perform the skills of writing and editing newspaper articles. (W/12 1-2, 4-8) A. Develop newspaper articles according to the different styles of reporting. B. Utilize the proper techniques for attributing the source of facts and opinions in a news story. C. Create summary leads using the five W s and H: who, what, where, when, why, and how. D. Construct news stories, using the inverted pyramid and the modified inverted pyramid forms to write both hard news articles and soft news articles. E. Recognize the importance of providing attribution for all sources and quotes in written articles. F. Create effective feature leads and write the various types of feature stories, including profiles, human interest stories, informative feature stories, community feature stories, and interpretive features. G. Construct effective sports leads and write various types of sports stories, including profiles, the advanced story, trend story, statistics story, sports feature story, sports news stories, and sports columns. H. Recognize the editorial as the voice of the student newspaper and write various types of editorials, including advocacy editorials, problem- solution editorials, commendation editorials, editorial comment, editorial cartoons, and opinions columns. I. Design interview questions through research and thorough exploration of a topic. J. Create appropriate headlines for each article. K. Copy edit all articles and utilize correct newspaper style, as identified in the journalism stylebook. 3
COURSE PROFICIENCIES (continued) 3. To prepare final copy for print, using In Design. (W/12 6) A. Become familiar with the In Design software program to format final copy for print. B. Utilize In Design as the Desktop Publisher program to produce the student newspaper. C. Apply knowledge of In Design to combine stories and photos, insert ads, design and layout pages, and edit copy. 4. To create and sell advertising. (9.1/12A1-5, B1-3) A. Create mock ads and role play meetings with local businesses to sell advertising. B. Identify and contact potential advertisers. C. Design ads for interested advertisers. 5. To successfully market the finished newspaper. (9.1/12A1-5, B1-3) A. Plan marketing strategies to generate outside revenue through sales of The Highlander. B. Identify and contact potential subscribers, including parents, business leaders, and community members. 4
STUDENT PROFICIENCIES The student will be able to: 1. Recognize that journalism is guided by laws and ethics, such as the First Amendment. (9.1/12F1-5) 2. Become familiar with the consequences of plagiarism, fabrication of stories, and the altering of photos. (9.1/12F1-5) 3. Read critically and comprehensively. (RI/12 1-7) 4. Conduct interviews for the purpose of gaining information. (SL/12 1-6) 5. Edit and proofread written work (W/12 4-5) 6. Talk with others to explore and solve problems (SL/12 1-6) 7. Listen critically by asking relevant questions and taking notes. (SL/12 1-6) 8. Evaluate the credibility of speakers and sources. (SL/12 1-6) 9. Write independently and collaboratively for a variety of purposes. (W/12 1-6) 10. Collect information from a variety of sources. (RI/12 7; SL/12 1-2) 11. Publish writing in the form of newspaper articles and letters to the editor. (W/12 6) 12. Compile a collection of articles and photographs in the form of a journalist s portfolio for potential career purposes. (W/12 4-6) 13. Recognize the effect that the written word has on its intended audience. (W/12 1-3) 14. Distinguish fact from opinion in news material. (RI/12 1-7) 15. Recognize bias and propaganda in written articles and edit accordingly. (RI/12 1-7) 16. Recognize the media as an important form in communication through written work and visual presentations. (RI/12 1-7) 17. Take and select photographs to complement written newspaper articles. 5
STUDENT PROFICIENCIES (continued) 18. Use In Design to complete a finished newspaper. (W/12 6) 19. Analyze how diction creates tone and mood, and how choice of words advances the theme or purpose of the work. (W/12 1-2) 20. Select appropriate electronic media for research and evaluate the quality of the information received. (RI/12 7) 21. Design a marketing plan to generate revenue through advertising and to increase readership. (9.1/12A1-5, B1-3; W/12 4) 22. Create advertisements for local businesses. (9.1/12A1-5, B1-3, W/12 4) 23. Devise a plan to target potential subscribers, including parents, business leaders, and community members. (9.1/12A1-5, B1-3) 6
METHODS OF EVALUATION 1. Successful completion of individual article assignments. 2. Successful completion of all activities related to the publication, planning, and management of a school newspaper. 3. Active involvement in all collaborative/pod activities. 4. Quarterly portfolio of all completed articles, photographs, advertisements, and additional supporting materials. 7
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE COURSE OUTLINE/STUDENT OBJECTIVE The student will be able to: NJ Core Curriculum Strands & Standards/ Indicators Grade SL/12 RI/12 W/12 1-6 7 2 Course Outline/Student Objectives I. Distribution Of Story Assignments And Field Work (2 Weeks) A. Brainstorm and Select Story Topics, Including News, Features, Sports, and Editorials B. Gather Information Through Interviews, Sources, and Research C. Check the Validity of Each Source and the Accuracy of all Information D. Compile All Information to Begin Writing Articles W/12 1-2, 4-8 II. Write And Edit Articles And Create Headlines For Various Sections Of A Newspaper (2 Weeks) A. Write Articles, Including News, Features, Sports, Interviews, Opinions, and Special Features (Cartoons, Crosswords, and Columns) B. Edit Work for Accuracy of Information, Grammatical Errors, Screening of Inappropriate Material, and Basic Copy Editing Errors, Using a Current Style Manual for Newspaper Writing C. Create Headlines to Match the Style of the Article 8.1/12 9.2/12 9.1/12 9.2/12 B2 A3,4 A2 A1,3,4 B3 D6 III. Practice The Techniques Of Photojournalism (2 Weeks) A. Recognize What Makes a Picture Both Relevant and Appealing B. Consider Proper Ethics While Working with Photographs, Especially When Altering and Arranging C. Select and Arrange Appropriate Photos IV. Examine The Methods And Purpose Of Preparing And Selling Advertising (1 Week) A. Recognize Both the Useful Functions, As Well As the Problems of School Newspaper Advertising B. Utilize the Three Types of School Newspaper Ads: Display, Classified, and Shoppers Advertising C. Develop and Implement Methods of Designing and Selling Advertising 8
9.1/12 9.2/12 B2,5 B1,2,3 V. Plan Marketing Strategies For Sales And Distribution. Design And Implement A Marketing Plan/Campaign That Would Appeal To Businesses And Generate Adds, As Well As Overall Interest In The School Newspaper (2 Weeks) A. Develop a Clear and Focused Plan B. Contact Businesses and Community Members C. Research and Plan Various Types of Fundraising Events by Contacting Other Schools, Businesses, and Utilizing the Internet for Ideas Note: The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards can be accessed at www.state.nj.us 9
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES GUIDE Suggested Sample Activities Ongoing Activity This is a whole class activity that continues throughout the year, where all students brainstorm article ideas for news, features, opinions, entertainment, sports, center section, and entertainment at the beginning of each month. When all stories have been completed and revised, the entire class comes together again to copy edit each article. During this phase, students will work in their pods to copyedit a particular section, such as news, opinions, features, entertainment, sports, and center. The following activities are designed to accommodate a pod structured classroom, where groups of students rotate to various activities throughout the year, so that all students work collaboratively to gain exposure to all aspects of the class. Pod Activities Pods (groups of students) will rotate each month to a variety of activities, designed to contribute to and facilitate, the monthly production of The Highlander. 1. Photography Pod Students devise ideas for effective composition of photographs, based on requests for pictures from editors and staff writers. A snapshot is a picture taken of anything in any way. The goal of the photography pod is to plan a picture with a definite purpose before shooting. (Visual editors and staff members do the actual picture taking, based on direction/suggestions from the students in the photography pod.) 2. Theme Pod Students choose and design a theme for the center section of each issue. 3. Art and Technology Pod Students are responsible for maintaining all art and technology, including email (letters to the editors), disc and CD management, printer maintenance (changing cartridges, making sure the printer has paper, etc.), scanning pictures, camera maintenance (making sure batteries are charged and pictures are uploaded to the computer), etcetera. Students in this pod will also be responsible for creative comic and drawing ideas, acting as liaisons between the art and photography department. 10
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES GUIDE (continued) 4. Advertising Pod Students role play meetings with business leaders to sell ads. They design and create ads to present to potential advertisers and contact businesses through the mail. When possible, students may also contact local businesses in person. 5. Marketing Pod Students design a plan to generate readership by reaching out to parents (back to school night, eighth grade orientation, and other events), businesses, and other members of the community. 6. Editorial Pod Students in this pod generate interest and solicit letters to the editor from students, faculty, and community members. Responsibilities will also include reviewing all letters for clarity, bias, appropriate language, fairness and balance, and potential libel. Further responsibilities will include suggesting topics/ideas for editorials that will be written by one of the editors. 7. Fundraising Pod Students brainstorm, research, and plan ideas for unique fundraising activities and seek approval from the administration for same. 8. Beat Pod Students in this pod are situated in podlets, where one or two people are assigned a particular beat or area of the school to gather newsworthy information. Such beats will include the principal s office, the assistant principal s office, the health office, the guidance department, the athletic office, club advisors, and faculty members. 9. Headline Pod Students will compose headlines for the articles in The Highlander. 11
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES GUIDE (continued) 10. Mailing Pod Students are responsible for mailing the paper each month to all subscribers and making sure that all copies are placed in teacher mailboxes and distributed to administrators, the superintendent s office, members of the board of education, and district supervisors. Students are also responsible for keeping track of all subscriptions and updating the mailing list as new subscriptions are added. 12