Dec. 10 -- Journalism Staff Meeting

We are changing it up. Ms. Greer

Dec. 5 - Look and then add your video to list (10 pts)

Here is a link on photographing the essence of people.

Here is a link that you will see uses very important close-ups in the video that enhance the story-telling. We want to do this when we shoot our news videos. Story is going to be key . . . always.

That is all I have today. For homework, send me a link to something that you think is a great video we should look at as a class. Due Thursday by class time. Send it to: joanna_g_greer@mcpsmd.org

Worth 10 points so make it worth the class time and explain how and why it is important in covering the news. The explanation will be more important than the video you choose. So choose wisely.

As for your stories, we will talk tomorrow about what else you need in them. Did you talk to at least five people who are valued-added (no one else could say with authority what they say) and give varied enough answers that add more dimension to your story? I am finding that they are not researched well enough . . . they feel thrown together and don't show all perspectives. You cannot print that as it is a disservice to those you interviewed and the community you serve.

Think like a judge . . . ask yourself what are all sides here and then do the legwork with your notebook in hand. This is one kind of writing that you cannot fake. Remember that you MUST identify yourself as a reporter and not use anonymous sources. No hijacking people here. You are doing a public service job that is noble. Remember that.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Nov. 27 - Check out this video

This is what other students think about journalism. Click here.

Nov. 26 - Assignment Due on Thursday and Friday This Week

Name: _________________ Due: 2 pages of notes due on Thursday, Beginning of Class (25 points)

Story Due Friday and posted before end of class (20 points)

My Story is on _______________________________________________________ and it passes the “who cares test.”
_________________At least five quotes that are value-added( no one else can say them) For example: Coach Nelson on prospects for the team or a student who would not go to college unless the Dream Act passed, etc.
_______________One/two photographs on subject
_______________Two links in the body of the story

No class on Tuesday, so come by the classroom to run your story by Ms. Greer to see if it will fly.

Ms. Greer
Silver spring, Md

Nov. 21 -- Check these out

These online newspapers won best awards at the last JEA convention this month.

Publication Website Large School

1. CNHSMedia.com, Columbus North HS, Columbus, Ind.
Click here for link
Rachel McCarver, adviser

2. Denebola, Newton South HS, Newton Centre, Mass.
Click here for link
Brian Baron, adviser

3. Manestreamnews.com, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas
Click here for link
Lori Oglesbee/Alyssa Boehringer, advisers

4. The Prospective, Bryant HS, Bryant, Ark.
Click here for link
Margaret Sorrows, adviser

5. West Side Story, Iowa City West HS, Iowa City, Iowa
Click here for link
Zora Hurst, editor
Sara Jane Whittaker, adviser

6. The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
Click here for link
Duncan MacLachlan, Sami Walter, editors
C. Dow Tate, adviser

7. The Lancer Express, Carlsbad HS, Carlsbad, Calif.
Click here for link
Danielle Ryan, adviser

8. Highlights, Beverly Hills HS, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Click here for link
Katie Murray/Gaby Herbst, advisers

9. The Lowell, Lowell HS, San Francisco, Calif.
Click here for link
Elijah Alparin, editor
Sharn Matusek/Cathy Innis, advisers

10. The HiLite, Carmel HS, Carmel, Ind.
Click here for link
Patrick Tan, Aaron Kearney, Victor Xu, editors
Jim Streisel, adviser

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring. Md.

Nov. 19 -- News Packages on Survival

It is weird but after Hurricane Sandy I have noticed an uptick in surviving disaster stories in the media. So, I have gathered some together. Here is one link.

Here is how they got that photo.

Here is another link.

Here is the government link to surviving disasters. Look around in this website.

Click here for another take on surviving a disaster. This one is interesting in that many people just stand still and don't seem to move. Huh?

Something missing seems to be a can opener.

How would you localize a story like this our school community?

More specifically, are there issues with the school being on lock-down for a while?
Does the school have what it needs to take care of the students?
What are the policies if we had a big earthquake? Or attack?
Do we know what to do here in the school and out in the community?
Does your family have supplies to survive or is it a stupid idea?

Write up your thoughts answering those questions and how you would cover a story on this subject for our newspaper.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Nov. 12 - Analyze this article

Mr. Glaros is a Composition Assistant in the English Department here at Kennedy. You will see that he is the reporter on the following story about a counselor at Einstein. Here it is.

Look at the lede. What makes it interesting?

Print this out, get out a colored marker, and circle the places reporter Glaros uses descriptive analogies, comments from others that add to a deeper picture of Monte, active verbs instead of passive verbs (is, was), etc.

Now, write an analysis and answer this question in a critical way that shows you looked at how Mr. Glaros build this story. Why is this a good newspaper feature article?

Homework: Due Wednesday 15 points