NIS NEWSPAPER CLASS
This school year, 2014-2015, is our school's second year that a digital newspaper class has been offered. In the last decade, paper newspaper outlets have had to move to a digital format or risk going out of business. Hence, it's our school's objective to mirror innovations in the newspaper industry as well as social media.
NIS News is a school newspaper that is written by students, for students, and about NIS students. For this reason, it is written in a somewhat informal writing style which focuses on our target audience...NIS students. After all, a newspaper must have readers to be meaningful.
Other than writing articles for the school newspaper, students will be learning how to write poetry throughout the year. Poetry will be focused upon every Wednesday and more during the third trimester when NIS will be
conducting their state testing.
Trimester 1 & 2:
(There will be a two week block where computer lab will not be available. During that time, 31A will be used)
Mondays: Room 31A (starting 8/18/14)
Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: Room 27 (computer lab)
Wednesdays: Room 33
Trimester 3:
Wednesday: Room 33
All other days: 31A
2014-2015 Newspaper writers:
Game On: Matt Vogel & Carson Gregory
Geek Chic: Austin Erwin & Josh Woodbury
Swaggalicious: Claritzel Lopez
My Tunes: Jeremy Gibson
Ntv: Bryan Krontz & Daniel Hennessey
Nistagram: Camille Hawley
Geek Chic: Austin Erwin & Josh Woodbury
Swaggalicious: Claritzel Lopez
My Tunes: Jeremy Gibson
Ntv: Bryan Krontz & Daniel Hennessey
Nistagram: Camille Hawley
class framework
Week #1 - 2
1) Students learn how to write a good hook (information below)
2) Students write hooks, share with other students, and best hooks are read to the entire class
3) Students choose/are assigned to a newspaper group (section)
4) Students read current articles in the school newspaper
5) Students refresh the concept of plot and analyze plots of a couple classic TV shows in order to help
when writing stories (interviewing a student/ Ntv).
6) Expectations clearly defined -
*Write interesting articles that appeal to NIS students. Student told/shown
what each paragraph needs.
*Email assignments on time. Each day late = 10% penalty. (All students must have an email address/password)
* Collaborate with group members, teacher, and parents
*Stay on task! Students have 7 hours of class time to complete and email each assignment. Due dates below.
Week #3-11
1) Students brainstorm, write title, and paragraph #1. Create survey and start to survey students.
2) Students write paragraph #2
3) Students write paragraph #3 Complete survey!
4) Students write paragraph #4 and email all to the teacher.
Week #12
1) Students revisit plot/ plot analysis of classic TV shows
1) Students learn how to write a good hook (information below)
2) Students write hooks, share with other students, and best hooks are read to the entire class
3) Students choose/are assigned to a newspaper group (section)
4) Students read current articles in the school newspaper
5) Students refresh the concept of plot and analyze plots of a couple classic TV shows in order to help
when writing stories (interviewing a student/ Ntv).
6) Expectations clearly defined -
*Write interesting articles that appeal to NIS students. Student told/shown
what each paragraph needs.
*Email assignments on time. Each day late = 10% penalty. (All students must have an email address/password)
* Collaborate with group members, teacher, and parents
*Stay on task! Students have 7 hours of class time to complete and email each assignment. Due dates below.
Week #3-11
1) Students brainstorm, write title, and paragraph #1. Create survey and start to survey students.
2) Students write paragraph #2
3) Students write paragraph #3 Complete survey!
4) Students write paragraph #4 and email all to the teacher.
Week #12
1) Students revisit plot/ plot analysis of classic TV shows
What is an article hook?
(video and more information at bottom of this page)
A hook is an attention grabbing introduction that compels a reader to continue reading.
For a NIS News article, a hook should be one to three descriptive sentences that have one of the following themes:
1. Humorous (misdirection can be funny)
2. Action
3. Suspenseful
4. Thought Provoking
Descriptive details:
1. Size
2. Shape
3. Sounds/ Dialogue
4. Textures
5. Temperature/Weather/ Climate
6. Aroma
7. Emotion
Figurative Language can make a hook more interesting too!
(video and more information at bottom of this page)
A hook is an attention grabbing introduction that compels a reader to continue reading.
For a NIS News article, a hook should be one to three descriptive sentences that have one of the following themes:
1. Humorous (misdirection can be funny)
2. Action
3. Suspenseful
4. Thought Provoking
Descriptive details:
1. Size
2. Shape
3. Sounds/ Dialogue
4. Textures
5. Temperature/Weather/ Climate
6. Aroma
7. Emotion
Figurative Language can make a hook more interesting too!
Writing Resources:
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD HOOK:
1.
http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/faculty/lcarothers/EffectiveWriting/Reflective/Attention%20Getters.pdf
2.
http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/cms/lib07/UT01001306/Centricity/Domain/2620/Writing_an_Introductory_Paragraph_Explicit_Lesson.pdf
Grammar Resources:
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/punctuation/titles-using-italics-and-quotation-marks.html
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/punctuation/how/how-to-use-quotation-marks.html
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD HOOK:
1.
http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/faculty/lcarothers/EffectiveWriting/Reflective/Attention%20Getters.pdf
2.
http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/cms/lib07/UT01001306/Centricity/Domain/2620/Writing_an_Introductory_Paragraph_Explicit_Lesson.pdf
Grammar Resources:
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/punctuation/titles-using-italics-and-quotation-marks.html
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/punctuation/how/how-to-use-quotation-marks.html
How to write a good hook ( 8:59)
All students must have their own email address they can use.
Students will email each assignment. The survey is the only
assignment they will turn in by hand. Students are to email their
assignments to: [email protected]
Assignments received late will earn a 10% penalty per day it is late.
Assignments:
#1 EMAIL: Brainstorm List, title, paragraph 1 by Friday November 14
mail to: [email protected]
1. Brain Storm - List information (example below) The brainstorm assignment is meant to provide a foundation for the overall organization of the student's article. The brainstorm assignment should be 100 - 200 words and doesn't need to be in complete sentences.
The brain storm info. will look a lot like an outline and should have approximately one sentence per LETTER describing what content they
will include in each part of their paragraph. Each paragraph must have a heading just like the example below.
#2 EMAIL: title, paragraph 1 & 2 by Friday, December 5
Paragraph 1
a. Hook - Have a theme: 1) humorous, 2) action, 3) suspenseful, 4) scary, 5) romantic, or 6) thought provoking. Be descriptive: 1) size, 2) color, 3) shape, 4) dialogue, 5) emotion, 6) textures, 7) temperature, and 8) aromas.
b. Hint of the importance/relevance of article. Why is this article important for students/parents to read?
c. What's this article about (thesis - opinion with three reasons)/ LEAD TO BODY PARAGRAPH! Last sentence should be as good as the first sentence.
Paragraph 2
a. Hook
b. Share the main 2-3 details about your topic. If you are interviewing a
student then this paragraph will have one story that proves
your main point you are trying to make OR Three reasons explained/supported from the thesis.
c. Last sentence should be as interesting as the first sentence!
#3 EMAIL:Title, paragraph 1,
paragraph 2, & paragraph 3
by Friday, December 19
mail to: [email protected]
Paragraph 3
a. Restate thesis (opinion with three reasons)/ summarize main points
b. Explain why this article is important for ALL to read.
Easiest way to do this is to relate your article content to saving lives or positively affecting kids' lives.
c. Closing - make your closing as interesting as your hook!
Possibly a call to action.
#4 EMAIL:Title, paragraph 1, paragraph 2,
paragraph 3, paragraph 4, attach picture and/or video (see below for details)
by Friday, January 23. Turn in paper survey to teacher in class.
mail to: [email protected]
Paragraph 4 "NIS NUMBERS & NOTABLE QUOTES"
"__________ NIS students were surveyed about _________________________."
(Who took the survey?) (Question and choices of the survey)
If there are 25 people in the survey then take the number who voted for each choice and multiply by 4 to get the %.
Example: If 25 students are surveyed and 6 out of 25 like to jog then 24% of the students surveyed like to jog (4 x 6 = 24).
If there are 50 people in the survey then take the number who voted for each choice and multiply by 2 to get the %.
Example: If 50 students are surveyed and 6 out of 50 like to jog then 12% of the students surveyed like to job (2 x 6=12).
Student must provide the PERCENT that voted for each choice on the survey.
What do the percents say about the students?
Have at least 3 - 10 interesting quotes (first and last name):
Example of student quote:
Joe Shmoe - "When I got my new XBox for my birthday I yelled, 'Yes!' so loud and so often that my dogs started barking, my brother hit me with a pillow, and I lost my voice....it was the best thing that happened to me since I got an A in Math."
Survey -
explain details of the survey. See PDF below. If your survey involves polling students on pictures, the pictures MUST be digitally sent or made available (link/URL) or student will not earn credit for the survey AND will earn a penalty for their third paragraphs.
Picture Details:
Option 1: If using a picture or video link then it must be sent within the
same email as assignment #4. Email with only a pic/s and link will not be
accepted. Size of picture cannot be smaller than 600 x 600 (product of 3,600)
or less than the product of 3,600 when multiplying the two numbers together.
If retrieving a pic off the internet then don't save it unless it is large enough.
Check the size! If using an image from google then click on the "view image" to save it.
Option 2: Bring in a video on a flash drive AFTER school so Mr. McCullough
can download it. Make sure this is communicated with Mr. McCullough
the day before AND discussed on Friday, April 16 in class.
Remember to only send school appropriate pics/video links, if not student will be given consequences.
Students will email each assignment. The survey is the only
assignment they will turn in by hand. Students are to email their
assignments to: [email protected]
Assignments received late will earn a 10% penalty per day it is late.
Assignments:
#1 EMAIL: Brainstorm List, title, paragraph 1 by Friday November 14
mail to: [email protected]
1. Brain Storm - List information (example below) The brainstorm assignment is meant to provide a foundation for the overall organization of the student's article. The brainstorm assignment should be 100 - 200 words and doesn't need to be in complete sentences.
The brain storm info. will look a lot like an outline and should have approximately one sentence per LETTER describing what content they
will include in each part of their paragraph. Each paragraph must have a heading just like the example below.
#2 EMAIL: title, paragraph 1 & 2 by Friday, December 5
Paragraph 1
a. Hook - Have a theme: 1) humorous, 2) action, 3) suspenseful, 4) scary, 5) romantic, or 6) thought provoking. Be descriptive: 1) size, 2) color, 3) shape, 4) dialogue, 5) emotion, 6) textures, 7) temperature, and 8) aromas.
b. Hint of the importance/relevance of article. Why is this article important for students/parents to read?
c. What's this article about (thesis - opinion with three reasons)/ LEAD TO BODY PARAGRAPH! Last sentence should be as good as the first sentence.
Paragraph 2
a. Hook
b. Share the main 2-3 details about your topic. If you are interviewing a
student then this paragraph will have one story that proves
your main point you are trying to make OR Three reasons explained/supported from the thesis.
c. Last sentence should be as interesting as the first sentence!
#3 EMAIL:Title, paragraph 1,
paragraph 2, & paragraph 3
by Friday, December 19
mail to: [email protected]
Paragraph 3
a. Restate thesis (opinion with three reasons)/ summarize main points
b. Explain why this article is important for ALL to read.
Easiest way to do this is to relate your article content to saving lives or positively affecting kids' lives.
c. Closing - make your closing as interesting as your hook!
Possibly a call to action.
#4 EMAIL:Title, paragraph 1, paragraph 2,
paragraph 3, paragraph 4, attach picture and/or video (see below for details)
by Friday, January 23. Turn in paper survey to teacher in class.
mail to: [email protected]
Paragraph 4 "NIS NUMBERS & NOTABLE QUOTES"
"__________ NIS students were surveyed about _________________________."
(Who took the survey?) (Question and choices of the survey)
If there are 25 people in the survey then take the number who voted for each choice and multiply by 4 to get the %.
Example: If 25 students are surveyed and 6 out of 25 like to jog then 24% of the students surveyed like to jog (4 x 6 = 24).
If there are 50 people in the survey then take the number who voted for each choice and multiply by 2 to get the %.
Example: If 50 students are surveyed and 6 out of 50 like to jog then 12% of the students surveyed like to job (2 x 6=12).
Student must provide the PERCENT that voted for each choice on the survey.
What do the percents say about the students?
Have at least 3 - 10 interesting quotes (first and last name):
Example of student quote:
Joe Shmoe - "When I got my new XBox for my birthday I yelled, 'Yes!' so loud and so often that my dogs started barking, my brother hit me with a pillow, and I lost my voice....it was the best thing that happened to me since I got an A in Math."
Survey -
explain details of the survey. See PDF below. If your survey involves polling students on pictures, the pictures MUST be digitally sent or made available (link/URL) or student will not earn credit for the survey AND will earn a penalty for their third paragraphs.
Picture Details:
Option 1: If using a picture or video link then it must be sent within the
same email as assignment #4. Email with only a pic/s and link will not be
accepted. Size of picture cannot be smaller than 600 x 600 (product of 3,600)
or less than the product of 3,600 when multiplying the two numbers together.
If retrieving a pic off the internet then don't save it unless it is large enough.
Check the size! If using an image from google then click on the "view image" to save it.
Option 2: Bring in a video on a flash drive AFTER school so Mr. McCullough
can download it. Make sure this is communicated with Mr. McCullough
the day before AND discussed on Friday, April 16 in class.
Remember to only send school appropriate pics/video links, if not student will be given consequences.
NTV GROUP ONLY:
To be involved in this group, a student must submit a video at the beginning of the third week of class (flash drive or DVD on Mon. August 25th). If the video can't be played, or if it is not turned in, the student will be moved to another group within the school newspaper. Video must be a mini-movie with a clear plot and plot summary must be turned in also. This can be used for their first assignment as well.
Students can help each other and have others act/perform in the video.
Mini-movie (8 - 15 minutes):
Wardrobe, background, and characters must support the plot.
Good volume and video clarity is expected.
Plot must be very clear/students must turn in a half
page plot summary (see below)!
Event Coverage (8-15 min.)
Show video of an NIS event or event where NIS students have competed.
Interview NIS students before/after
Details of event must be very clear: where, when, what, and who competed, and results.
Video...............Due Dates ...........Content.........................................................
Video #1: ........Friday, Sept.5.......Mini-movie 8-15 min. rough draft
Video #2: ........Friday, Sept 19.....Mini-movie (refined from above) 8-15 min. final draft
Video #3:........ Friday, Oct. 3........Event coverage 8-15 min. rough draft
Video #4:........ Friday, Oct. 17......Event coverage 8-15 min. final draft
Plot-
Exposition – Introduce characters and setting
Rising Action – Provide foreshadowing example
The problem was ______ . (OR) The goal was _______ .
Climax – (Depends what was chosen above)
The problem was solved when _____ . (OR) The problem wasn’t solved when _____.
(OR) The goal was achieved when _____. (OR) The goal wasn’t achieved when _____.
Falling Action – Details leading to the resolution
Resolution – Effects of the climax (resolved)
Lesson to be learned and/or theme
Did the characters live happily ever after?
Video Evaluation:
Titles - three titles/one for each video
Hook - hook for each video (how will each grab attention of the audience?)
Video - content:
a. Plot
b. Wardrobe supports plot/themes
c. Setting supports plot/theme
d. Volume
e. Clarity
Weights:
Rough draft videos are worth 15% of their grade each (30% total)
Final draft videos are worth 25% of their grade each (50% total)
Use of classroom time and collaboration is worth 20%
Classroom behavior is heavily weighted due to the fact that the teacher
can personally observe those behaviors.
Bonus points can be earned for excellent videos.
Students can help each other and have others act/perform in the video.
Mini-movie (8 - 15 minutes):
Wardrobe, background, and characters must support the plot.
Good volume and video clarity is expected.
Plot must be very clear/students must turn in a half
page plot summary (see below)!
Event Coverage (8-15 min.)
Show video of an NIS event or event where NIS students have competed.
Interview NIS students before/after
Details of event must be very clear: where, when, what, and who competed, and results.
Video...............Due Dates ...........Content.........................................................
Video #1: ........Friday, Sept.5.......Mini-movie 8-15 min. rough draft
Video #2: ........Friday, Sept 19.....Mini-movie (refined from above) 8-15 min. final draft
Video #3:........ Friday, Oct. 3........Event coverage 8-15 min. rough draft
Video #4:........ Friday, Oct. 17......Event coverage 8-15 min. final draft
Plot-
Exposition – Introduce characters and setting
Rising Action – Provide foreshadowing example
The problem was ______ . (OR) The goal was _______ .
Climax – (Depends what was chosen above)
The problem was solved when _____ . (OR) The problem wasn’t solved when _____.
(OR) The goal was achieved when _____. (OR) The goal wasn’t achieved when _____.
Falling Action – Details leading to the resolution
Resolution – Effects of the climax (resolved)
Lesson to be learned and/or theme
Did the characters live happily ever after?
Video Evaluation:
Titles - three titles/one for each video
Hook - hook for each video (how will each grab attention of the audience?)
Video - content:
a. Plot
b. Wardrobe supports plot/themes
c. Setting supports plot/theme
d. Volume
e. Clarity
Weights:
Rough draft videos are worth 15% of their grade each (30% total)
Final draft videos are worth 25% of their grade each (50% total)
Use of classroom time and collaboration is worth 20%
Classroom behavior is heavily weighted due to the fact that the teacher
can personally observe those behaviors.
Bonus points can be earned for excellent videos.
All newspaper articles must have a survey
Articles that are gender specific OR focus on a Norco Intermediate specific topic (NIS students or teacher, etc.) must survey at least 25 NIS students. Twenty-five student survey must have teacher approval by teacher signature on the survey.
All other articles must survey 50 students AND have 3-10 interesting quotes from NIS students.
Top portion of survey must be in pen, completely filled out, and use proper grammar.
All other articles must survey 50 students AND have 3-10 interesting quotes from NIS students.
Top portion of survey must be in pen, completely filled out, and use proper grammar.
newspaper_survey_form.pdf | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
File Type: |
Progress reports
All students will be issued a progress report which states their current grade AND all students will be issued an in danger of failure notice. Most of the points in the class are accrued after the midpoint of the trimester, so students who have an A in the class could fail the class if they didn't complete their newspaper article etc.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit can be earned for the following:
1) quality of article
2) quality of picture
3) quality of video
How can the student earn the maximum number of extra credit points?
1) article is published in the nisnews.weebly.com website
2) students has created an interesting, clear, and entertaining video AND video is given to teacher (flash drive) to be placed on NTV
3
1) quality of article
2) quality of picture
3) quality of video
How can the student earn the maximum number of extra credit points?
1) article is published in the nisnews.weebly.com website
2) students has created an interesting, clear, and entertaining video AND video is given to teacher (flash drive) to be placed on NTV
3