Journalism

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Journalim======

Writing Process. Students use the writing process for both informal and formal writing.
Language Skills. Students use appropriate language, mechanics and style in their written work (e.g. rich vocabulary, grammar, proofreading and editing, varied sentence structure). __**1. Description of Journalism Writing Program**__ (Reflect upon goals and aims, or describe how the writing and language skills standards are applied at this grade level.)
 * Students in Journalism act as Staff Writers and Editors for the school newspaper the //King Street Chronicle (KSC).//
 * Students are required to write at least one articile and one Editorial per issue. (approximately six issues per school year)
 * Students learn to write a variety of newspaper articles including news, features, reviews and editorials.
 * Students learn to write in a concise journalistic style, following a style guide specific to the KCS.
 * During the publication of an issue of the KSC students:
 * Participate in brainstorming sessions to create article ideas
 * Editors make final issue article decisions and assign articles to Staff Writers
 * Writers pursue their articles which includes researching the topic, interviewing, conducting polls, etc.
 * Writers submit first drafts.
 * Editors read and edit first drafts.
 * Editors and Staff Writers collaborate to produce second and third drafts.
 * Concurrently, Staff Writers and Editors write and submit Editorials for publication.
 * Opinions Editor and Adviser review and select Editorials for publication.
 * Final drafts of articles and editorials are sent to layout.

__**2. Signature Strengths**__
 * One of the goals of the journalism program is to instruct students on how to effectively use differenct styles of writing. When successful, the obvious benefit is that this skill can be transferred to other discplines. Teachers of other disciplines have noted the improvement in a student's writing and often credit the journalism program with this improvement.
 * Students who have passions and ideas, but do not have the facility to express them in writing come to find their voice. The process of writing an editorial compels a student to express her ideas and beliefs in a focused and concise manner. The desire to be published, in an arena which requires quality writing, which will be read by peers and teachers alike motivates a student to persist until her writingwell-crafted and her ideas are skillfully articulated.
 * Students who have strong opinions learn to report information in an unbiased fashion, and come to understand there is a time and a place for objectivity and subjectivity. One student comes to mind; she is a skilled writer with good mechanics and a facility to express herself in writing. She was, however, having difficulty controlling a oftentimes strident voice and avoiding bias in writing news stories. When this issue was called to her attention, she worked toward being more objective in her writing. Her success was rewarded with a front page story.


 * __3. Areas for Growth | New Directions__**
 * **The New Journalist -** The Journalist of the 21st century, while foremost must be a strong writer, must also possess other skills which include photography, videography, video editing and graphic design. In order to keep the curriculum current and competitive we must expose journalsim students to all of these aspects of the industry. This will involve a restructuring of the curriculum, new scheduling and collaboration with the Broadcast, technology and Arts faculty.
 * **On-Line Newspaper ** - An on-line version of the //King Street Chronicle // is scheduled be produced in September of 2012. This innovation will not only keep the Journalism curriculum current and competitive, but also afford the Journalism students the opportunity to gain the experience and skills necessary to succeed in all aspects of digital media. The Journalism curriculum will be updated to include, writing for online media, digital design, videography and photography.
 * __4.Addenda__**
 * Course Description
 * Syllabus
 * Sample Handouts | Lessons
 * Samples of Student Work