Jan. 27 -

So, check out this two-minute link about telling visual stories. This link is about a photographer, now videographer, for The Baltimore Sun who has had to change up his skills. He has some very interesting things for you to think about as he covers an anime festival here in Maryland.

Today you are going to get your assignment paper and have a staff photo taken.

Jan. 24 -- Today we organize

The above is Keegan talking with PBS for their show on privacy and the web over Google Hangout yesterday.

TODAY, our first piece of business is to work on our organization.

We will review the jobs together. We will accept a job if we are pressed into service and do the best that we can. (Reminder that colleges will see that you worked on the newspaper and they love that. BUT remember that they will be able to see what you have done so be proud and careful with your work).

We will take staff pictures and write a small bio for the web site. Keep it kind of general with no really personal info. Remember, it will be online.

We will go over what you think are our newspaper's weaknesses. Then we will try to address them.

We will start our current event quizzes next week. They will be different that television productions and posed a little differently.

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

January 2 - One last STORY before the exam - PLUS - CURRENT EVENTS QUIZ TOMORROW

You need to do another news story before next Wednesday.

Today, you need to look at all current events. YOU HAVE A QUIZ TOMORROW. Check out the weather. Check out resolutions for this next year. Pippin. Any other mural plans with Mr. Kirk?

Do you have any sports stories? Will you cover a game?

Your paper. Your grade.

I hope you want to do a good job of it for its own sake.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

December 19 - Readings you need to do asap (30 pts formative)

You need to make a report on the following. Write up your observations and submitted to newfrontierinbox.gmail. This is a 30 point formative grade. You cannot learn to be a good writer or reporter without paying attention to other reporting/reporters.

Readings:

Look at this link on reviews done by an amazing group of young journalists.

Look at this on how to do a student media news package.

Look at this list of Crown Winners from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. These are the best online newspapers in the country done by high school students.

The Clarion

Staples High School here.

Southwest High School here.

Annandale High School's reading is here.

Staples High School is here.

Lovejoy High School is here.

This is due New Year's Day. Repeat. New Year's Day in the inbox. Make sure you really analyze these sites, including the review page of the Paly paper.

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

Dec. 12 - Important dates for you

1. You will have a test on current events and on the Nelson Mandela tape tomorrow.

2. You have a new story due next Tuesday. Fill out the paperwork and turn into me today.

3. Quiz coming on this. You need to read this series of articles in The New York Times. Click here for this series.

You will see that it is ongoing and full of amazing detail. This is the kind of writing you should aspire to. You should be a reporter upon which no detail is wasted . . . and then artfully and thoughtfully edited.

These articles are going to win some prizes. PLUS, change some of the policies in New York City's treatment of the homeless, and especially homeless children. That is the role and function of a journalist: to shed a light on things that need to be fixed or to right wrongs.

I am going to quiz you on this series. You need to read in order to write well.

So THREE things going on and they are all big. Check Gradebook for their values.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

December 11 -- Assignments and points for your grades

Most of you are missing parts of your stories. Either media is missing OR you did not write the article.

But we need to move on. Last day for these very tardy articles to be completed is this Friday.

PLUS -- You have another story due by next Tuesday for 25 points summative.

Clear your story with me today. Sign up is worth ten (10) points.

This is so that it can be edited and site updated.

You will also have a current events with the Nelson Mandela test on Friday. Remember the Radio Diaries piece on Mandela? See the link here.

If you want to get some bonus points, you may get to the certificate level on the HOUR of Code site today. See here.

Many news agencies are requiring their reporters to know code, so this can help you start to think like that. I just need to see that you are working on it and that you got the certificate to give you the points.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Good writers learn good vocabulary (25 pts formative)

Objective: SWBAT learn a new word by explaining it via video scenario. This will help you with writing with more clarity and help you navigate the different media types that makeup backpack journalism.

The New York Times is running a contest on vocab word definitions.

Here is the mission.

Here are some examples.

Very quickly, break into your groups to make a plan.

You will chose one of these words from the pdf link below:

Here is a link to the entire list.

Your group needs to act this word definition out.

15 seconds is the total length of the video.

We will shoot when we return from Thanksgiving.

Formative (25 pts)

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.