secondary journalism curriculum - westada.org€¦ · web viewcurriculum secondary journalism...

Joint School District No. 2

Secondary

Journalism

Curriculum

1

SECONDARY JOURNALISM CURRICULUM

This journalism curriculum identifies the essential skills for the secondary journalism courses: Publications (8th), Introduction to Newspaper, Newspaper A-B, and Yearbook A-B. Publications (8th) and Introduction to Newspaper are introductory courses, while Newspaper A-B and Yearbook A-B are production courses.

Overview

I. Journalism Enduring UnderstandingsII. ComputersIII. WritingIV. EditingV. InterviewingVI. Layout and DesignVII. Ethics

A. JournalistB. Legal

VIII. GeneralIX. Advertising

X. Appendix – Sample Student Contract

Journalism Curriculum Committee:

Marla Allen Centennial High SchoolKim Atkinson Lake Hazel Middle SchoolChristin Evans StudentJulie Evans ParentLoren Evans ParentScott Hendrix Meridian Middle SchoolYogesh Khanal StudentKate Lester Eagle High SchoolKatie Pond StudentBrandie Sigman StudentDebbie Stredder Meridian High SchoolDiana Woods ParentJoAnn Livermore Language Arts Coordinator

Revised April 2009

2

SECONDARY JOURNALISM ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

Enduring Understandings Guiding Questions

1. Media has the power to influence society.

What kinds of media have influenced society? How has media influenced society? Why does media influence society? Should media influence society?

2. Media has the responsibility to be fair, accurate and unbiased.

What do fair, accurate, unbiased mean? Why should media be fair, accurate, and unbiased? What could result if media is not fair, accurate and unbiased?

3. Media in a democratic society provides a forum for public discussion and open exchange of ideas.

How has media served as a forum for public discussion and open exchange of ideas?

Why is it important to have a forum for public discussion and open exchange of ideas?

4. Media can be a catalyst for critical thinking and problem solving.

What is critical thinking? What are some problems that could be examined in the media? How can media be a catalyst for critical thinking and problem solving? Should media be a catalyst for critical thinking and problem solving?

5. Media promotes civic literacy. What is civic literacy? How does increased civic literacy impact society? How does media promote civic literacy?

6. Writing has a variety of purposes. What are the purposes of print media? Why are there different purposes for writing within print media?

7. Skilled writers identify information important enough to capture in writing, and make that information accessible, understandable, and thought provoking to a targeted audience.

What kinds of information are important enough to capture in print media? What are some targeted audiences for print media? How do skilled writers connect to their audience? How do skilled writers make information accessible, understandable, and

thought provoking?

8. Secondary journalism mirrors real workplace experiences.

What are examples of real workplace experiences? What are secondary journalism course experiences? How do secondary journalism courses mirror real workplace experiences?

9. Interpersonal skills, ethics, and responsibility are essential elements in journalism careers.

What are interpersonal skills, ethics, and responsibility? How does adherence to journalistic ethics protect the journalism student? Why are interpersonal skills, ethics, and responsibility essential elements in

journalism careers?

COMPUTERSPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to

NewspaperNewspaper A-B Yearbook A-B

1. Use basic word processing skills: typing spell checking changing size, fonts and style of

type changing margins cut and paste create tables create columns

Use basic word processing skills: typing spell checking changing size, fonts and style

of type changing margins cut and paste create tables create columns create and use templates

Use word processing skills: typing spell checking changing size, fonts and style


Use word processing skills: typing spell checking changing size, fonts and style


2. Use Internet appropriately as a resource: information pictures/images validate credibility of sources

Use Internet appropriately as a resource: information pictures/images validate credibility of sources



3. Manipulate pictures and graphics import scan

Manipulate pictures and graphics import scan



4. Use computer accessories digital camera scanner

Use computer accessories digital camera scanner



5. Use computer programs photo managing software layout and design software

Use computer programs photo managing software layout and design software

Use appropriate computer program for assigned task: photo managing software layout and design software desktop publishing

Use appropriate computer program for assigned task: photo managing software layout and design software desktop publishing

6. Select appropriate computer program for specialized task.

Select appropriate computer program for specialized task.

WRITINGPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to


1. Meet deadlines for each step of the writing/editing process.

Meet deadlines for each step of the writing/editing process.



2. Write a variety of leads for specific types of stories.

Write a variety of leads for specific types of stories.



3. Develop basic stories following appropriate journalistic format and style:

news features sports editorials reviews

Develop basic stories following appropriate journalistic format and style: news features sports editorials reviews

Write stories about: school and community related

events and issues national and international

events and issues that affect teenagers

news features editorials columns reviews

Write an accurate history of the school’s events during the year: academics sports clubs student government student life local and national events that

affect teenagers

4. Use a variety of sources to ensure completeness, impartiality, diversity.

Use a variety of sources to ensure completeness, impartiality, diversity.



5. Attribute information to appropriate source.

Attribute information to appropriate source.



6. Select appropriate quotations, and cite them fairly and accurately.

Select appropriate quotations, and cite them fairly and accurately.



7. Write basic headlines and captions.

Write basic headlines and captions. Write appropriate headlines and captions.

Write appropriate headlines and captions.

8. Write sidebars to enhance stories. Write sidebars to enhance stories.9. Use appropriate style

consistently: school style Associated Press (AP)

Use appropriate style consistently: school style Associated Press (AP)



10. Identify and apply news elements.

Identify and apply news elements. Identify and apply news elements. Identify and apply appropriate news elements.

EDITINGPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to

NewspaperNewspaper I-II Yearbook 1-11

1. Edit stories for clarity, completeness, conciseness, and objectivity:

grammar usage style writing to specifications

Edit stories for clarity, completeness, conciseness, and objectivity: grammar usage style writing to specifications



2. Use basic proofreading symbols. Use basic proofreading symbols. Use basic proofreading symbols. Use basic proofreading symbols.3. Follow editor’s or adviser’s

revisions.Follow editor’s or adviser’s revisions. Follow editor’s or adviser’s revisions. Follow editor’s or adviser’s revisions.

4. Proofread final pages prior to publication.

Proofread final pages prior to publication.



INTERVIEWINGPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to


1. Prepare for interview: Plan open-ended questions Obtain background material Contact interview source in

advance

Prepare for interview: Plan open-ended questions Obtain background material Contact interview source in

advance


advance


advance 2. Observe interview etiquette. Observe interview etiquette. Observe interview etiquette. Observe interview etiquette.3. Ensure balanced and fair use of

sources that represent the diversity of the school/community.

Ensure balanced and fair use of sources that represent the diversity of the school/community.



4. Cover a specific beat to assure complete coverage of news.

Cover assigned school topics.

LAYOUT AND DESIGNPublications (7th-8th) Introduction to


1. Identify basic layout design. appropriate use of white space proportion balance harmony contrast dominance

Identify basic elements of design: pica rule modular design dollar bill rule appropriate use of white space proportion balance harmony contrast dominance

Use basic elements of design: pica rule modular design dollar bill rule appropriate use of white space proportion balance harmony contrast dominance

Use basic elements of design: pica rule modular design dollar bill rule appropriate use of white space proportion balance harmony contrast dominance

2. Design and create a page layout. Design and create a single page layout.

Design and create a single and a double page layout.

Design and create a single and a double page layout.

ETHICS: JournalisticPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to


1. Meet assigned deadlines. Meet assigned deadlines. Meet assigned deadlines. Meet assigned deadlines.2. Adhere to established policies

and procedures: staff school

Adhere to established policies and procedures: staff school



3. Recognize and accept assigned role within the staff hierarchy.

Recognize and accept assigned role within the staff hierarchy

Recognize and accept assigned role within the staff hierarchy

4. Adhere to a code of ethics for journalists:

work is original sources are real and valid reporting is unbiased and

balanced appropriate use of language

Adhere to a code of ethics for journalists: work is original sources are real and valid reporting is unbiased and






5. Takes initiative to facilitate smooth staff functioning and completion of tasks.

Takes initiative to facilitate smooth staff functioning and completion of tasks.



ETHICS: LegalPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to


1. Identify rights and limitations of the first amendment.

Identify rights and limitations of the first amendment.



2. Examine student press law and media ethics:

censorship Tinker and Hazelwood cases for

student publications copyright law and plagiarism photographs and ads libel privacy rights and laws substantial disruption

Examine student press law and media ethics: censorship Tinker and Hazelwood cases

for student publications copyright law and plagiarism photographs and ads libel privacy rights and laws substantial disruption





GENERALPublications (7th/8th) Introduction to


1. Learn and use the terminology of journalism.

Learn and use the terminology of journalism.



2. Examine the history of journalism and its role in a democratic society.

Examine the history of journalism and its role in a democratic society.

3. Create and maintain a portfolio of journalistic work.

Create and maintain a portfolio of journalistic work.

Create and maintain a portfolio of journalistic work.

4. Examine current events in order to become an informed writer.

Examine current events in order to become an informed writer.



5. Explore journalism careers opportunities.

Explore journalism careers opportunities.

ADVERTISING

Publications/Newspaper (8th)

Introduction to Newspaper

Newspaper I-II(If applicable to task assignment)

Yearbook 1-11

1. Adhere to district policy regarding advertising in school publications.

Adhere to district policy regarding advertising in school publications.

2. Identify types of advertising in publications.

Identify types of advertising in publications.

3. Identify major propaganda techniques.

Identify major propaganda techniques.

4. Sell ads (optional). Sell ads. Sell ads (optional).5. Design ads (optional). Design ads. Design ads (optional).6. Bill advertisers and keep accurate

record of transactions.Bill advertisers and keep accurate record of transactions.

Bill advertisers and keep accurate record of transactions.

APPENDIX

Sample Student Contract

Code and ContractStaff Members for the school year 20__ - 20__

To students and parents of students accepted as members of the <Insert School Name and Publication Title>:Participation on the <Insert School Name and Publication Title> affords students with more freedom than with other classes. It requires students to assume a great deal of responsibility and exhibit a high degree of maturity and good judgment. As a member of the team producing a concrete product, distributed to and read by both students and adults in our community, individuals named to the staff must expect to be held to high journalistic standards and ethical practices. Members of this staff are representatives of our school and are recognized as such, whether actually on assignment or not.

To show that you fully understand the responsibilities of staff membership, please have the following contract read and signed by both you and a parent or guardian prior to the date indicated below.

I, __________________________________(your name), as a member of the <Insert School Name and Publication Title> staff, agree to abide by the following code of conduct.

1. I will not take advantage of the freedom given staff members to leave class on assignment. Also, I will adhere to the defined policies and procedures whenever leaving during class-time. I will not use journalistic duties as an excuse for playing around outside of class, leaving the building, or disturbing other classes.

2. I will meet deadlines for assignments, rewrites and other related projects. If I find that it may be difficult or impossible to meet a deadline, I will inform the editor and /or adviser at the earliest possible moment. Nevertheless, I understand the responsibility to provide print-worthy material, in a timely manner, is ultimately my responsibility. Failure to assume this responsibility will result in grade reductions, and/or expulsion from the staff.

3. I understand that I am expected to devote time completing assignments and other production work for the publication, just as I expect to do homework for any other class. I also understand that this is an activity-related course. I am willing to devote extra hours as needed, including lunch, before/after school and on weekends.

4. As a reporter, I agree to produce publishable material as assigned (see grade expectations). In addition, I will provide stories and headlines, graphics and /or advertising as deemed necessary by my editors and/or adviser.As an editor, I will be responsible for editing copy, and the design, layout and content of assigned page(s). I understand this requirement may vary depending on space available and the type of coverage needed. Ultimately, I understand it is my responsibility to fill my assigned pages with a quality of content material.As an advertising Editor/Business Manager, I will be responsible for making ad sales according to deadlines and will be responsible for creating the thumbnail design for each issue, laying out ads and designing when necessary. As a business manager, I understand it is my responsibility to ensure <Insert School Name and Publication Title> is financially sound at all times. I will fulfill my responsibilities in accordance with established production procedures.

As a representative of the staff, I agree to abide by standards of good behavior; therefore, I recognize I will be held to a higher standard of behavior than the average student.

I understand that failure to abide by any of the terms described in this contract may lead to my dismissal from the staff and/or failure to receive academic credit for this class.

Staff Assignment _____________________________*This contract must be signed and returned no later than ___/___/___ along with proof a min. G.P.A. Students with a signed contract will be automatically dropped from the role sheet following the above date.

_______________________________ _______________________________Student Signature Parent or Guardian Signature___/___/___ ___/___/___Date Date

secondary journalism curriculum - westada.org€¦ · web viewcurriculum secondary journalism...

Documents