Sept 30 - Find three stories that you can localize (15 pts.)

First up, this goes in the hand-in folder.

Find three national stories and give me the link to it.

For each story write up how you would localize it.

What four people would you interview here at school on that issue?

What are three important questions for each story?

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

September 26 - Watch this and comment (10 pts formative) Due 9/27/13

Before you watch this video, I want you to think about how hard it was to get such personal footage.

This is very brave of the student, the parents, the teacher, and the school.

Write up your reactions to this and turn it in tomorrow. I expect two paragraphs with interesting observations about what you saw and what you think this might mean for race relations in this country.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept 24 - Photo Caption Work - Formative grade - 9 pts)

Now I want you to write captions for the following pictures.

Study the way captions look in the newspaper.
**A photograph captures a moment in time. Whenever possible, use present tense. This will create a sense of immediacy and impact.
**Always identify the main people in the photograph.
**Avoid making judgments. "An unhappy citizen watches the protest" in a sentence for example. Can you be sure he is unhappy? If you must make a judgment, be sure you seek the truth.
**Subject- Verb- Object. That is the order of your text in a caption. For example, "Senior Billy Smith, left, puts his hat on the school statue." Bill is the subject, puts is the verb, and school statue is the object.

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

September 20 - Work today

Today: It is Friday, so . . . . Current Events Quiz.

After you do that, you can pitch your story idea to me. You need to cover a story on your own. Examples: Blood Drive, face-painting at the game tonight, new teacher profile, bees are a problem at this time of year, what does the "K" mean to you, and on and on . . .

This is a really special multi-media piece. Click here to check this out. This is a wonderful site made by the NY Times that features extraordinary ordinary New Yorkers. You are going to conduct an interview similar to this in the near future. You will get 20 images. You will get audio of this person talking about their subject/life/whatever. We will not ever ever ever hear your voice. So put that on the back burner of your brain for now.

NO JOURNALIST WOULD EVER WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY THEY DIDN'T REPORT THE TRUTH OR ACCURATELY. That is your currency.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

September 16 - Assignment - 20 points formative - Due Friday.

Look at the following web sites for student newspapers. Look at the layout. Look at what they are covering. Read at least two articles per site. How are they using quotes? Take notes on what you think about these web sites. Have data: give examples.

Click here for Ladue Today.

Click here for the Foothills Dragon Press.

Click here for The Paley Voice.

Click here for the Odyssey Online.

GUESS WHICH OF THESE HAVE WON PACEMAKER AWARDS (THEY ARE THE TOP AWARDS YOU CAN WIN IN HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM)?

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

September 12 - Press Conference/Current Events Quiz Friday

Principal Rubens is coming to our class either today or very soon for a press conference.

He will have a brief statement and then open the floor for questions.

We will audiotape the interview so that you will have access to the verbatim account.

IF HE DOES NOT COME TODAY, WE WILL INTERVIEW MS. GREER FOR PRACTICE. YOU ARE TO WRITE THE STORY THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THE SUBJECT AND TRY TO FIND FOUR REALLY GOOD QOUTES.

300 words. 20 PTS FORMATIVE

BTW, CURRENT EVENTS IS A POINT FOR EVERY QUESTION. I WILL DROP YOUR LOWEST GRADE.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept 10 - Grading Policy Discussed Today

We need to discuss jobs here on the paper. Usually these position are applied for and they look very good on your college application.

We need two Editors-in chief.

We need a Social/Media editor.

We need a Business Manager to monitor fundraising and ad selling.

Applications for these positions will be in class tomorrow. Think about your readiness for one of these position.

Everyone on staff is a photographer. Everyone is a reporter. These are skills you will take to any job you ever have. Employers want people who can write clearly, people who can think for themselves, people who can see the big picture AND drill down for the little picture that means so much.

Everyone must pay attention to details.

This is your newspaper. This is the year to make it great.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept. 9 -- Do a story on Imani

Click here for the link to Imani's quotes

Sept 6 - Work today

Write your reaction to the following media pieces. Turn in to the sub. 15 pts formative.

You need to pay attention to this landscape.

Click here for the link to PBS Student Reporting Labs. THEN, look around at some of the stories produced by the other labs. You guys will have the opportunity to step up and be on the Reporting Lab team. Familiarize yourself with what they want.

The Washington Post has been sold. Click here for the info on this.Are the reporters happy about it? What is going to change in the business model? What do you think about the future of journalism and why does it matter?

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

Sept. 4 - Interviewing and Writing

Today we are going to start thinking about writing news articles. It is best to get a good interview first. That is key.

Last summer, Mia Manning and I attended journalism camp at Washington and Lee University. The students were to do a story on the farmers market. They knew no one and did not know what to expect. Click here for audio of that piece. You will see that most students dread approaching people to get the interview. But honestly, that is where the work is AND the fun. You have a license as a journalist to approach anyone pretty much and you learn so much.

You are going to start your reporting career now.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.