Create Classroom Newspaper Using Technology!

MollyBeth RushfieldGila Efrati

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day SchoolRockville, Maryland

Why?

□ Different forms of writing: □ news reporting □ persuasive □ poetry □ letters □ feature articles

□ Differentiation between learners□ Choice in subject; stretching beyond comfort

zones □ Proofreading/editing practice with a real purpose□ Real sense of writing for an audience

Planning Ahead

□First Edition: assign articles, help write articles, sometimes even take dictation. Set up the newspaper in Microsoft Publisher the first time

□Next Edition: allow more independent writing as abilities will allow. Still help the ones who need it.

□Gradually, things will move faster, less hand-holding. Release control bit by bit.

How to Get StartedSet Up

□Jobs: editors, photographer, sports reporter, world news, local news, book review, poet, opinion, advice columnist, personality reporter

□Organization: Different job each edition. Rotation

□Classroom management: What to do with the editors and photographer while the other kids are writing articles…

What it Looks Like

□Planning Articles□Reporters’ Workshop

Word Publisher PDF

□Students type stories in Word□Layout Editor copies from Word into

Publisher□Convert Publisher Document to PDF

Publishing

□How often: give yourself deadlines.□Where to Publish:

□Make one copy per family □Post edition online for family members

to print color copies. Website□Keep one copy of every edition in a

notebook the classroom so they can reminisce.

Maryland Technology Standards

□Standard#1 Understanding Keyboarding□Standard #2a Digital Citizenship and Legal

and Ethical Issues □Standard #3 Technology for Learning and

Collaboration□Standard #4 Technology for

Communication and Expression□Standard #5 Technology for Information

Use and Management

Room to Grow

□Podcast□Pictures□Video□Audio