INDIANA UNIVERSITY Department of Language Education Practicum in Language X425/L525 Dr. Hope Elkins, Ph.D.
Syllabus HOME PAGE	Language Practicum Manual
	STRATEGIES: THEORY AND PRACTICE Developing a Class Newspaper The importance of encouraging learners to produce a class newspaper or news sheet is that every activity contributing to the regular issuance of such a periodical has a bona fide purpose. Learners find it a lively, meaningful venture related to daily life. While doing so their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills develop naturally along with their appreciation for perseverance. In addition, they learn to make practical use of their experiences and knowledge; work on their own; make decisions; cooperate; take criticism; delegate authority; and match the talents and abilities of the "News Room" staff to the right assignments. Specifically, by studying commercial news sheets, learners see what goes into them -- the types of information reported -- and how they might do something similar. Of course, the end satisfaction comes with sharing the product with other learners, family, friends, and anyone who will take notice. Pride of accomplishment -- not to be overlooked -- can have a lasting effect. News sheets of various descriptions have been successfully produced in self-contained elementary classes. And junior or senior high schools frequently put out newspapers or magazines. These are usually prepared by a student/faculty staff -- perhaps guided by a journalism instructor. Generally, students at this level submit writings or they may volunteer to work in producing the newspaper. Also, these students sometimes write stories, essays, or poetry for publication in high school literary magazines. Many adult basic education centers develop news sheets containing material written by students. Samples of newsletters produced by members Of the Womel-I in Construction Project (1979) -- a project designed to help welfare mothers enter construction work -- can be seen on request at the Reading Practicum Center. If considering the idea of helping learners produce a news periodical of some sort, it might be useful to read Eliot Wigginton's Moments (Washington, D.C.: IDEAS, 1975), a "how-to" book in the best sense that describes what the process involves. Wigginton's dedication of the book to his father " . . . who taught me by example to be sensitive to others," indicates the basic precept of this small volume.   Some Procedural Suggestions The following lists some points to discuss when working with the possibility of developing a news sheet: The role of newspapers in society. Information to be gathered from newspapers (local, state, and national news, etc.) Type of articles to be found in a newspaper. The difference between fact and opinion and their place in a newspaper. The make-up of a newspaper (what type of articles appear where). The difference between straight news, reporting, and feature writing. Learner goals involved in putting out a newspaper. Strategies needed to reach these goals. The departments and their responsibilities (production, art/photography, business -- subscription, advertising, circulation). What to include in the first edition. Establishing staff responsibilities and areas of operation. Advertising and distribution (sold or given away). Activity of the copy editor. Activity of the editor. Page make-up. Processing of material. The final production.   Instructional Tips 1. Where possible have learners work in all areas of production. Avoid letting the good learners do all the writing and the poor ones handle circulation. 2. Observe the following learner procedures in the various areas: a. Writers Help learners decide on a topic. Have them list information sources for the topic. Discuss the sources. Mention material needed when interviewing (paper, pencil, prepared questions, tape recorder perhaps). Discuss how to keep track of (write down) information gained during an interview. Show how to rework notes after an interview before some points are forgotten. Discuss the story outline, lead paragraph, headline, etc. When complete, add byline and give to production. b. Art/Photography Show where material will appear in the paper and its role (humor, news, political comment, etc.). Discuss the size of the art work or photograph. Explain the need for black and white. Point out that art work must be neat and the printing clear and uniform. Encourage artists to develop a signature. c. Production The teacher may have to do the final typing. Show how Xeroxing can be used. Encourage neatness in setting headlines. Duplicating may have to be done by the teacher (but learners can assist). Printing on one side of a page only is the simplest procedure but the most expensive. Most learners can handle collating and stapling. 3. Ideas for articles Local news Class plays School cancellings because of snow, etc. Donations made for playground equipment Meeting of PTA or other organizations Visitor or speaker to class Special art display Book fair Fund-raising project Class picture taken Student teacher Increase in price Of school lunch Features Interview school staff member Interview a visitor or someone outside school Health hints Teacher of the week Entertainment Crossword puzzles Cartoons Jokes Book reviews Review of movie or TV program Help wanted column (re Dear Abby) Deliberate trivia Sports Playground activities New equipment received Class records for team Competition results Games of regional or national interest to students Classified Ads Announcements (Boy Scouts meeting, book swap, dance recital, game, birthday party, etc.) Toys, games, or other items for sale Toys, games, or other items wanted Jobs open Employment needed Lost and Found report   4. Local businesses will often donate paper and other items to be used by the production staff. 5. A field trip to a local newspaper office can be very informative. Sometimes they will give free copies of their paper. ____________________________________ *Strategies taken from: Newman, A. (1986). L525/X425 Practicum in Language Manual. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University. Comments: disted@indiana.edu Copyright 1998, The Trustees of Indiana University