Journalism presents a unique combination of eighteen introductory instructional units that cover journalism fundamentals and a menu of several one to two week-long thematic units from which to select a customized curriculum. Course materials emphasize the practical, how-to aspects of journalism to help high school students understand concepts and develop fairness and accuracy in reporting. In addition to helpful writing models and templates, as well as individual and class assignments, the curriculum contains examples and exercises based on selections from top newspapers and articles from the Poynter Institute.
Designed for a multi-age high school classroom, course materials are correlated to the new Journalism Educators Association national standards. Fundamentals include Genre Writing, Propaganda Techniques (building critical thinking through identification and analysis of writing techniques), World Events (current events coverage and geography knowledge), Crime Scene (learning how to cover a breaking story), Editorial Cartoons (symbolism, satire, point of view), Struggling Businesses (understanding how current events impact the economy and consumers), and First Amendment, Journalism Ethics. Computer technology, including several activities utilizing internet resources, is integrated for students' research. The course gives students a solid foundation to work on the high school newspaper or yearbook. |
This book offers a thorough, deep repository of information for teaching journalism, whatever that might mean in a specific school. It covers all the basics, offers numerous creative offshoots, is timely, is wise and there's no mistaking this author has been there and done that. Anyone could follow and use this book, from the true novice to a bit-unsure newcomer to the field or to a school. --Wayne Brasler, Journalism Department Chair, University of Chicago Lab School; Author of The Newspaper Guide Book, published by the National Scholastic Press Association. |
