Publication Exchange

Create a publication exchange with schools in your area.  Email local schools and request a newspaper or yearbook.  Some schools may charge a small shipping fee, but the examples you will receive far outweigh the cost.  Send them your publications as sample for their classrooms as well.

Newspaper advisers can also Google local schools to see if their papers are available in an online edition. This multi-media journalistic world is easily accessible. 

Yearbook advisers can ask their yearbook rep for sample books.  I have a shelf of samples from which I teach.  It is a great way to engage the students in learning, while giving them insight into other schools' books.

Design Portfolio Assignment

In order to improve design in both newspaper and yearbook, I have my staffs do a design portfolio which encourages them to study contemporary magazine design schemes.  Have each staff member tear out 10 designs from magazines published within the last two months.  Analyze the design principles in place with an emphasis on current trends, i.e. lower case headlines, color harmony, overlays, etc...

As a final piece to the portfolio, have each staff member use the computer software available to reconstruct their favorite magazine design.  This is an activity that reinforces the staffs' computer skills while developing a deeper understanding of design.

Design Tips

Tips for Newspaper Design

This is an old tips sheet, but for new advisers, it does contain basic information that is applicable no matter the newpaper style.

Design Basics

Beginning classes need extra help to understand basic design principles.  From paper types to column format to design schemes, here is a Powerpoint which can assist with showing beginners the basics of design.

Beginning Design

Another Reference Suggestion

The UIL Journalism Contest Package can be purchased from the JEA Bookstore online.  It is a culmination of released prompts from Texas' University Interscholastic League competitions.  Headline writing, editorial, feature and news prompts are included.  They are excellent timed writing exercises for all levels of journalism.

The Southern California Journlaism Education Association also has an excellent resource:  Ideas: Practical Ideas for Teaching Journalism.  This text offers an introduction to media as well as examples and prompts.

Both will prove to be valuable teaching tools for your classroom.