Wisconsin Interscholastic v. Gannett

Didn't know if any of you were following this lawsuit which stemmed from a web cast of an athletic event.  The case was settled in late August and makes a great study for senior journalist headed to the collegiate level.  It addresses media rights from all sides of the coin--many of which high schools are unaware exist.

Case Results

SNO

If you haven't discovered schoolnewspapersonline.com for your online work, please check it out.  It is an easy to use site and school server friendly.  Our Southworld online will launch on October 1 through this site and it's templates.  You can actually see the site being built by my webmaster at southworldonline.com. Not much work done yet, but check it out!

Treat For Advisers

OK--I'll admit I've been lazy about keeping up with the blog.  My overloaded classes are kicking my rear end this year.  Anyway, since I removed the recipes for overworked advisers, here is a great new recipe to try out this week.

Green Grape Salad 

 4 pounds seedless green grapes 

 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 

 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream 

 1/2 cup white sugar 

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

 4 ounces chopped pecans 

 2 tablespoons brown sugar 

Wash and dry grapes. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour 

cream, sugar and vanilla. Add grapes and mix until evenly incorporated. 

Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans, mix again and refrigerate until serving. 

Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition

Win a classroom set of the Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition by checking out this contest link:

Wall Street Journal

Great Blog

This is great information on the NY Times blog....

Why is Newspaper Class Important?

Best Pics Of The Week

Best Photos of the Week

Don't  forget to use these types of sites for examples and inspiration.  Set high expectations for your photographers and encourage them to follow through.

Newsweek Cover

The current Newsweek cover has created lots of controversy.  It's a perfect sounding board to get this year of political news and gender perception started with your students.

Newsweek Controversy

Free Speech or Obscenity

I always start the year with a unit on the First Amendment and Media Law.  Ran across this article this morning which will fit very well into the free speech argument.  Should spark some lively discussion from my Journalism I kiddos.

Truck Nuts and Free Speech

Photo Ethics

I'm sure you've read about this story since it took off yesterday.  Here is the link to the retouching scandal...makes a great addition to your photo ethics unit.  Is it false advertising or brilliant marketing?

UK Pulls Ads

More New Writing Prompts

Here are more random writing prompts to get your collection of bell ringers for the year started....

Writing Prompts

501 Writing Prompts

This is a wonderful resource for all teachers....share this link with members of your faculty.

501 Writing Prompts

Tweeting for College Applications

The University of Iowa is narrowing their applicants by the quality of their Tweets.  An application question asks the admissions candidates to use Twitter to answer a question.  The winning Tweet will receive admission and a scholarship to the university.

This would be a great bell ringer for your students during the first days of school.  It leads nicely into the use of convergent media and ties in nicely with the history of communication unit.

University of Iowa Question

Press Conferences

This link might be useful for those of you who require your students to attend or practice press conferences.

How Press Conferences Work

Cool Photos

Here are some very cool photographs to inspire your young photographers:

Cool Photo Link.

Death Of A Newspaper

Anyone following this scandal?  It is a great way to start the year....bring media law and ethics into your August lesson plans.

Newspaper Scandal

Tintype Photography

This link to the story regarding the Billy The Kid tintype photo that sold for millions is a great photographic history lesson for your students.  For Journalism I students during the first days of school when you are introducing them to all the aspects of journalism, this article makes a great bell ringer with a followup discussion about what will be learned in your photography unit.  Hopefully, you include a report or in-depth study of some sort on historic photo processes.

Billy The Kid

Jose Vargas Story

This is great!

NY Times Expose

Title IX

June 23 is the anniversary of the Title IX legislation giving female athletes gender equity in sports.  Has you school newspaper or online media profiled Title IX and whether or not your district is in compliance?

For more information check out the Women's Sports Federation website.

Title IX Anniversary

MTV

This teen mom article is a great discussion piece for the students to voice their opinions on the effect of pop culture reality shows on society.  It would fit perfectly with a student poll or Facebook survey.  Along with the Casey Anthony trial this summer, the reality TV viewership reaching new heights with all subsets of the population makes an intriguing angle for editorial coverage.

MTV and Teen Moms Show

Local Misappropriation

In today's Arkansas Democrat Gazette an article on the front page of the B section will be a great lesson for your students regarding misappropriation. Typically, we think of this form of libel (it's actually a tort under the libel umbrella) relating only to celebrities; however, misappropriation can occur with private citizens and local public figures.  Judge Karen Baker's request for a fashion designer to cease using her image in an advertisement is an example.  Here are the online links:

Original Karen Baker article

Today's link... 

Have A Great Summer

Thanks to all who have followed throughout the school year.  Beginning this summer, I'll be blogging occasionally.  When the school year starts, I'll be on a once a week blog.  The daily was a bit much for this old gal to keep up with.  LOL

Nevertheless, have a wonderful summer!

Terminology #5

Announcing a candidacy:  why is this such an important event on the political landscape?  How are these moments covered by the various news outlets?  Twitter emerged as a medium for an announcement.  This makes for a great discussion point on these waning days of the school year.

GOP Announcement

Terminology #4

Cultural Phenomena occur frequently.  Today, we have seen Oprah's show end, will know tonight who wins the American Idol crown, have seen the next Bachelorette, and know who won the Biggest Loser.  TV provides for many cultural phenomenons throughout a person's life.  Discuss how talk show/reality TV programs impact  American society.

American Idol

Terminology #3

Envoys and Ambassadors are two positions mentioned in the news headlines.  Discuss these people with your students.  Do they understand the role these folks play in international politics?

Envoys Airlifted Story

Terminology #2

Debt Ceiling is a phrase that has been used multiple times over the past few months.  Do you student understand the concept?  Take this column and use it as a starting point of discussion/education about the country's debt ceiling.

Fiscal Spending

Terminology

Deportation is a legal term that students hear, but don't completely understand.  Make these final days of school focus on lessons in deeper understanding terminology.  The story link below is a perfect starting point.  Russell Brand was 'deported' from Japan this weekend.   Use this as a teachable moment in which it is crucial that young journalists understand basic legal concepts.

Russell Brand Deportation

1000 Creative Prompts

This is another great book to purchase for writing prompts for blogs, podcasts, scripts, etc....1000 Creative Writing Prompts by Brian Cohen covers all the bases in one book. It will be a great investment for bell work for 2011-2012.

Podcast Book

Podcast Solutions by Dan Klass is a great starter book for students who wish to tackle the elements of online journalism.  Develop an end of the year fun project in which students create their own podcasts.

Topic Suggestion

This is a great topic suggestion for the first issue of your newspaper next year.  How do teens waste their money?  I'm sure the economy won't be turning around before September, so this would be a very insightful piece of investigative reporting.

Money Wasting

Censorship

This is an interesting censorship article.  Share and discuss obscenity and censorship with your J-kids.

Barnes and Noble Censorship

Arkansas Advisers

If you are not a member of the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association, please join.  It is a wonderful opportunity for your students to receive feedback and awards.  Also, the advisers association is a great place to network.

Camp ASPA is coming up in June.  If you did not receive an email from Allen Loibner, please comment on this blog post.  I'll be sure you receive Camp information.

Starting a Literary Magazine

Lit Mag is one field I know very little about.  However, there are wonderful resources out there.  This is a link to the ehow website on how to start a literary magazine at your school.  If your school doesn't have a lit mag, maybe it's time to begin.  It is another publication outlet for students who may not have a journalism focus, but deserve to be published.

How To Start A Literary Magazine

Good Reads

Check out this website for great book review information.  It is a wonderful place for your students to read other reviews and post their own if they wish.

Good Reads

Broadcast Programs

This is a wonderful link for those of you thinking of starting or who already have and wish to improve your broadcast program.

Student Television

Blast From The Past

The Commodore 64 computer was one of the first I remember from the 1980's.  Evidently, it's back.  This article will prompt an interesting discussion with your students on the world pre-ipad and pre-DVR.  Create an assignment covering the history of computer advancements since 1975.

Commodore 64

Critique Services

One way to see how your paper or yearbook stacks up against the scoring rubric is to join a national press association and have it critiqued.  Columbia Scholastic Press is one of many that can provide feedback over the summer so your staff for 2012 is ready to make improvements in August.

Columbia Scholastic Press

Media Careers

As my beginning journalism classes wrap up their career and college unit, I am amazed at the vast number of jobs relating to the media industry.  Click on this site, Hotel Yearbook, and browse the publication and wonder in the excellent web design.  Someone had to design, write, edit, etc.. all this material.  That is inspiring for a young group of graduates who see "journalism" as simply dying print newspapers and old fashioned yearbooks.  Inspire them to go beyond the stereotypes.  There is a wonderful world of media careers waiting.

Citizen Journalists

Citizen Journalist is a term to add to your vocabulary quizzes.  This week on the heels of the Bin Laden story, the Tweeting citizen journalist has become a folk hero of the industry.  Here is a link to an article embracing the 21st century phenomenon.

Tweeting Citizen Journalist

WSJ Teachers Lounge

Teachers Lounge

This is a great site to check from time to time.

Typography Video

This is a cute short video on typography.

Typography

Planning Next Year

Now is the time to plan for next year's newspaper and yearbook.  Here is a quick look at Nameplates for your newspaper staff to be inspired for a redesign.

Nameplate Powerpoint

What's Hot #5

Each yearbook company has it's own What's Hot/Best Of book or magazine.  Below is the link to Balfour Publishing's Yearbook Yearbook.  Find all the hot trends by contacting your yearbook rep and having them send you the company's Best Of book.

Yearbook Yearbook

What's Hot #4

Look at this great way to get more faces and voices in your book.  This builds on the concept of layers!

Advanced Design

What's Hot #3

Encourage your students to search for designs in magazines they would never think of looking at.  For example,  Coastal Living has a great use of cutouts.

Coastal Living Page

What's Hot #2

Color Harmony is a concept that has been around for several years; however, some magazines and websites utilize color harmony exceptionally well to create a mood for their readers.  Teach your staffs to find color harmony on magazine pages.  With the link below, notice how the calm greens of the site name blend seamlessly with the photos and accent colors.

Natural Home

What's Hot Week

What's Hot #1
Here is the latest trend in yearbook--layering.  Coverage "layers" are very important when putting a new spin on an old topic.  Check out this spread from a Florida book that adds multiple layers of secondary coverage to enhance the overall look and content of the spread.

Coverage Layers

Staff Applications

As the school year winds down, many of us are focused on next year's leaders and staff members.  Having a staff leadership application is a great idea.  Lots of schools post their newspaper and yearbook staff applications online.   Here is a sample from Dade County Schools.

Sample Application

Staff Resume

This was from Jostens a few years back.  It's a great idea for upcoming staff leadership applications.

Staff Resume

Dangers of Pro Photojournalism

This story just posted on CNN is the reality of dedicating your life to the pursuit of reporting accurate and timely information for the public good.  Share and discuss with your J-kids.

Photojournalist Killed Today

Royal Countdown

If you're having your students follow the overload of information surrounding the royal wedding; this is a comprehensive site to show snippets.  The amount of coverage is mind boggling; however, the clever angles some of these stories take is worth discussion.

Royal Coverage

Huffington Post Lawsuit

This is an ugly glimpse into the real world of journalism.

Huffington Post Lawsuit

Job Interview Questions

When interviewing for a job, applicants should be able to think on their feet.  Have your journalism students think of unusual questions that a potential employer could ask.   Then, read them and discuss their legal validity.  Have them attempt to answer some unusual questions, such as:

 “If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?”

More Career Fun

JournalismJobs.com is a comprehensive website for sharing more glimpses at the careers available to journalists.  It also covers the collegiate spectrum in a limited format; however, it is a fun site to research for beginning journalism students.

JournalismJobs.com

Journalism Salaries

The first question my students ask during the college and career unit I teach is, "How much do journalists get paid?"  It's a tough question to answer because of so many niche markets and specialty jobs in the journalism world.  This Pay Scale website gives them the opportunity to create their dream job and search actual listings for the profession.  It's a fun way to begin a unit on careers in journalism.

Pay Scale

Overseas Journalists

Freelancers who place themselves in overseas venues are increasingly in demand.  The news outlets are replacing permanent crews with one or two person teams who freelance in designated countries.  This is an interesting piece from a freelancer who spent time in Prague.  Good advice is given about researching your destination before you commit to travel.

Overseas Journalists

Real World Journalism

Here is a great article to share with your students about the dangers of real world journalists who risk everything to expose the story.  Will be a great discussion topic....

Journalists in Action

Reality TV

How closely are your students following reality TV.  Is the movement over or still in full force.  Have your beginning journalism students create a column or editorial based on their views.  Research which shows are currently in the top time spots and encourage your students to do the same to validate their viewpoints.

American Idol

Permission Slips

Go beyond your school's generic permission slip when taking students on an overnight trip.  Be sure to consult with the school administration, then develop an iron clad document which covers not only damages to property you may be staying on, but also includes behavior and procedural issues (i.e. expulsion from the trip).

Batteries and Chargers

REMINDER: Photographers should be required to keep extra batteries, memory cards, and chargers in their bags.  Double check before heading out on a journalism trip that will take you far away from your school and/or a Target.  Hotel batteries are insanely overpriced, and most of the time the bus/mode of transportation is not accessible.

Days Off

The blog will be down for two days so that I can chaperone our school's FBLA state convention trip.  Check back in on Wednesday.

Royal Coverage

To really immerse your students in a multitude of coverage techniques, have them follow the royal wedding for the next two weeks.  Leading up to the big event, we've already been bombarded with random facts, details about the ceremony, and features on royal people we never knew existed.

Here is the link to CNN's daily site which follows the royals every step of the way.  You can also create a class discussion or perhaps an editorial on celebrity status in society OR how this event has become such a hyped global phenomenon.

CNN Royal Coverage

Proofreading Marks

Great site for quick guide proofreading marks.

http://www.espressographics.com/files/proofread.pdf

On-line Advertising Types

Those of you starting on-line newspapers, here is a great link which outlines the types of ads you can embed in your publication.  Have your students create video advertorials to practice their objective writing skills and tinker with video editing.

On-line Ad Types

Model Releases

The story link below is the perfect example of why all publications should have a model release.  Whether a public or private school, the registration form the parents sign at the beginning of the school year should contain a phrase that reads, "my child may be photographed for educational purposes."  Consult the school attorney as to the legal wording necessary to clear any photos taken of students on your campus.

The instance below is a sample of false light.  The model's photo was used for a purpose other than he intended.  Although many subjects sign a waiver that states the image may be used in any way the publication deems appropriate, falsification of the message accomplished through altering an image is unethical.

Fireman Photo Altered

News Story Exercise

Hopefully, you all had a wonderful break.  As a review and warm up activity, I pull out the old writing prompt, "What I did on my spring break."  The students write a 10 minute quick write, then I turn the tables.  They must pair up  and interview each other about their break based on the prompt their partner has written.  The questions/interview they can conduct in 15 minutes becomes the material they must use to create a news story.

This throws them back into interview mode, and the exercise serves as a quick review for news writing.  They also must share their stories in class.  Then, we dissect leads, high interest words, use of quotes, etc...to further the writing review.

Spring Break Week

Taking the week off to enjoy the family.  The blog will be back on March 28.

Top Journalism Universities

These universities were listed on several reputable sites as the best J-schools in the country....have your juniors explore their options.  It's time to inspire them to begin the serious college search.

Undergraduate Programs

What to look for: Do the professors have professional journalism experience? Can students take classes in photojournalism, TV, audio and online media as well as reporting and writing? What opportunities do students have to practice their skills? Does the school operate a TV studio? Is there a daily student newspaper?

Ball State University

Programs in journalism graphics, magazine, news-editorial, photojournalism.

Indiana University - Bloomington

One journalism program, with advanced courses in newspaper, magazine, broadcast news, photojournalism, editing, and news analysis and opinion writing.

University of Florida

Programs in reporting, editing, magazine, online, photojournalism, broadcast news. Disclaimer: I teach online journalism here!

University of Maryland

Programs in broadcast, online, and print journalism.

University of Missouri

Programs in convergence journalism, magazine, newspaper, photojournalism, radio-television.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programs in electronic communication, news-editorial, journalism, visual communication.

Graduate Programs

These universities offer a master's degree that is focused on the professional practice of journalism. Some of them ALSO have a research-focused program. You want to understand this distinction and make sure the school you choose offers the courses that you hope to take.

Columbia University

One year, full-time; two to three years, part-time; Master of Science.

Northwestern University

A 12-month full-time program; Master of Science in Journalism.

Syracuse University

Various master's programs are offered, including new media (one year) and broadcast journalism (40 credits). Some are a Master of Science and others are a Master of Arts.

University of California, Berkeley

Two-year, full-time program; Master of Journalism.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Two-year, full-time program; Master of Arts in Mass Communication.

Don't Forget...

...this website New York Times Education is a wonderful resource for daily lesson plans and discussion points.

Infographic Design

Googled this term when my editor was needing a design scheme.  Never knew Google had a library of infographic samples.  Wow are some of these great!

Google Infographics

Smashing Magazine

Had never heard of this mag, but found a photography link online and had to explore.  Look at their favorite photography websites--amazing work.  Screen these before you share with your students, but I'm sure you can find several images to inspire.....

Smashing Photo Website Suggestions

Clever Writing Prompt

Saw this and had to share....it's a quick and fun assignment to inspire convergent journalists and to challenge even the best English or history student.

What if George Washington were running for president today? Write several Twitter tweets of 140 characters or fewer from his point of view. They can be serious about issues, humorous about his adjustment to 21st century social media—anything you want.

Quick Tips Week

Tip #5

Artistic photography is a medium typically ignored by journalism.  Unless you're shooting for a literary magazine, photojournalists scoff at the artistic photo.  This late in the school year, your photographers also need a boost and "think outside the box" moment.  Check out this website and develop a quick shoot assignment in which all the photographer set aside photojournalism and explore the art world.

Artistic Photo Tips

Quick Tips Week

Tip #4
Women in journalism have powerful roles.  Here is the Poynter Institute link to the new Newsweek under the direction of a female editor with a very powerful female politician on the cover.  What does this say about reaching a gender specific target audience?

A great talking point for today's young journalists.

Newsweek Cover

Quick Tips Week

Tip #3--Staff Motivation

Motivating the staff in the week before spring break can be a huge challenge.  Try one of the games listed on this site to liven up the staff, give them a change of pace, and encourage them to have fun heading into these last few deadlines of the year.

Daily Games

Quick Tips Week

Tip #2--Stuck on the last few fun coverage topics for your yearbook pages?  Look at this website filled with crazy quizzes to motivate your staff.

http://quiz.myyearbook.com/

Quick Tips Week

Welcome to quick tips week.

Tip #1--Restaurant reviews are a great way to spice up your entertainment or opinion pages.  Check out this link on ehow.com, which give a fast guide for a first time reviewer.

Restaurant Review

Death and Obits

Player Death

This link is a reminder that unfortunate passings happen on all campuses.  The way the paper or yearbook handles the death is the question that should be resolved already in your staff manual.  If you do not have an obituary policy for a student, faculty or staff member, or administrator, take this week to write one.  It is crucial that the yearbook and newspaper on your campus give fair and just coverage to each student death.  My best advice is to focus on the issue, not the death.  Run a basic obit; then, if warranted focus on the issue, i.e. suicide, car accident, health issue, etc....

SD Cards

Here's a quick tip...recently, we've been having trouble with our card reader.  It accepts multiple types of memory cards, but the SD slot has not been working.  Targus brand has a High Speed Card Reader/Writer which has a card slot on one end and a USB port on the other.  It has proven to be the handiest tool in our tech arsenal.  Check out all the cool card reader devices at your local Best Buy.  I was amazed a the array of products.  I'm sure you will be able to find something to aid your staff's daily operation.

Teacher Merit Pay

Have your students read this column, then do other research on which to write an in-depth editorial.  This would be a great topic for any paper--be sure to have the writers tie it in to your school district.

Teacher Merit Pay

Headlines

Just a fun powerpoint by Dianne Smith which features Wacky Headlines to kick off this writing unit.

Wacky Headlines

Yearbook Cut

Dermott School District in eastern Arkansas has tabled a vote to cut yearbook and football from their school programs.  The financially strapped district seems to think that the near self-sufficient yearbook program and the only money maker, the football program, will save the district if they are cut.  To read the article, Google "Dermott district facing cuts to football, yearbook".  The yearbook adviser at Dermott is Roger High.  Email our fellow adviser in support of his program!

Tasty Treat

It's been a long winter in Arkansas.  Then, thunderstorms rolled through this afternoon reminding us that spring is on the way!  For the weekend, try these easy brownies as a quick and tasty treat.

Rich Brownies
1-10.5 oz package fudge brownie mix
1/2 cup mini-marshmallows
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1/2 cpu chopped pecans.

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, folding in marshmallows, morsels, and pecans.  Spread batter evenly into a greased 8-inch square pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes.  Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack; cut into squares.

Enjoy!!

Arkansas Contest Reminder

AJAA and ASPA members are reminded that March 8 is the deadline for all mail in contest submissions.  Late entries will only be accepted for one week with an extra charge.  Check the original packet for the hotel and registration deadlines.  They are fast approaching!

Talking Point

Here's a great video to get your class discussion sparked for today.

Ann Coulter

Thanks to Dylan for sharing!

World Press Award

Here's a great discussion topic for all levels of journalism students.  Attached is the link to the photo of Bibi Aisha, the Afghan girl whose nose was cut off by her husband.  It was the World Press Photo Award winner for this year.  It is a great personality profile photo that also captures a human rights tipping point that all students of current events need to know.

World Press Photo Award Link

Ad Controversy

Here's a hot topic for you to discuss as a lesson starter.  Pepsi is in hot water over their photo editing with their new ad campaign.

Link To Fox Story

Last Practice Prompt

The newspaper ad prompt is last in our two week series.  Hope you and your students have enjoyed the practice ahead of impending competitions.

Newspaper Ad Prompt

Academic Copy

Here is an academic copy prompt for comptetitive yearbook students.....Academic Prompt.

YB Advertsing Prompt

Yearbook ad students need a refresher prompt.  Here is a quick, simple exercise:  Ad Prompt.

People Copy Prompt

Practice prompt for yearbook people features:

Practice Feature Prompt

Yearbook Sports Copy

Practice prompt for yearbook sports writers:

Yearbook Sports Copy Prompt

Yearbook Student Life Prompt

Practice prompt for writing student life copy:

Copy Prompt

Feature Prompt

Practice for newspaper feature writers.....Feature Prompt.

Newspaper Editorial Prompt

Practice prompt for editorial writers:

Editorial Prompt

Newspaper News Prompt

Practice prompt for your beginning journalists:

News Prompt

Google Contest

Encourage your students to enter the Doodle 4 Google contest.  It's a fun way to make graphic designers out of everyone on staff....

Doodle 4 Google

Yearbook Design Prompt

Practice for upcoming competitions with this yearbook design prompt from the 2010 Arkansas Scholastic Press Association On-Site competition.

Yearbook Design

Newspaper Design Prompt

For practice, try this newspaper design prompt.

Prompt 2010 Newspaper On-Site

Cartooning Prompt

Our state has on-site competitions at spring convention.  To prepare your students for any write-offs or on-site categories, try the prompts for the next two weeks.

Cartooning

New News

Check this out.  The new revolution in journalism.

News App

Photographing a School Event

This weekend we have a plethora of school activities taking place.  This is the perfect situation to assign budding photographers from beginning classes to shoot some of the minor events.  It will give them an ego boost and give you the benefit of having everything covered.  It will also show the adviser who is willing to step up and become serious about pursuing photography.  If the beginners miss their assignment, then very little is lost.  If they produce even one clear photo from the event assigned, you're in business.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Old School Layouts

My Yearbook I class is enormous this year, so I had to resort to an old school method of teaching layout.  With limited computer space, I ordered layout sheets from the yearbook company and regressed to teaching basic layout using those.  The students didn't know the difference and have had a great time pasting up layouts.  This is a wonderful tactile assignment that burns several days of instructional time; however, it allows the students a new experience.  You can also introduce the math concepts of measurement with this old fashioned assignment. 

Copyright & Photos

The Student Press Law Center publishes the Report, a journal for advisers and journalism students to catch up on the latest scholastic press law cases and pending legal actions.  In the Winter 2010-2011 issue which I received yesterday, there is a great piece on Copyright.  Log on to SPLC.org to read Chelsea Keenan's My Photos article or turn to page 26 in the SPLC Report.

Design-Page 1

Here is a quick Powerpoint to get your beginning classes started with basic front page design.

Design Powerpoint

Beginning Design Day 1

To introduce your beginning classes to design, assign them to bring in a magazine that appeals to them OR if you have a stockpile of magazines, have them select one from your library.  Have them look through the pages and choose three pages that "look" good.  Do this at the beginning of the instruction.

Then, begin with a basic introduction to the elements of design.  Show them examples of how each element is used to create a page design.  Apply each element to the samples they selected from their magazine.  After the basic instruction on design elements, have them critique the pages they selected.

This is a simple activity to get the creative design juices flowing, but more importantly, it gets the students looking at magazines in a whole other way.  Content becomes an afterthought...now they are choosing designs based on their knowledge of design elements.

Snow Day/News Event Photos

One inch of snow can shut down a southern city.  Thus was our day Thursday when school was called off at noon because of the messy streets and winter weather.  Today, my photo team loaded fantastic snow shots of the campus, wrecks, and other story telling pics to use for yearbook and newspaper.  One even took pictures of the mob inside our main school office when parents called in 700 exits for their students.

Prep your photographers so they are ready to shoot no matter the news event.   They should be prepared each day with cameras ready no matter what event the day may present.  This could be an assignment--photograph random events throughout the day, whether in school or out.  It's great practice and will give the photo team a new perspective on the day to day routine.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Videos &YouTube

A woman who fell into a fountain while texting at a mall in Pennsylvania is now considering suing the security workers who posted the security camera video on YouTube.  This is a great talking point with your reporters. What are the legal rights of people who are shown on YouTube without consent?

If you could interview this woman and her attorney, what would you ask?

Falling Woman Story from CBS

Real Time News

This link provides a great class discussion point regarding real time news reports.  Especially news that is released and wrong.  Mark Kelly, husband of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrille Giffords, believed that his wife was dead for 20 minutes because of a hastily run news report.

Revisit media ethics with your classes and use this article a talking point.  Assign the interview as homework or watch it tomorrow in class to follow up on the discussion.

Mark Kelley Article

Mark Kelly's interview with Diane Sawyer airs tonight.

Last Roll of Kodachrome

Steve McCurry, the National Geographic photographer who captured some of the magazines most iconic photographs, has blogged about and photographed the last roll of Kodachrome being processed.  This is a great opportunity for young photographers to do a study of film to digital processing.  Google "Last Roll Of Kodachrome" and a myriad of links appear.

Steve McCurry NPR Story

For more of Steve McCurry's work, click here.

Happy MLK Day

Use today's festivities tomorrow as a retro look at how people received their news in the 60's.  Save all the articles from the print newspapers and log on to a few good ones online.  Research a few archived articles from papers in the 60's to project on screen for the students.  Tuesday in class have the students write an compare/contrast prompt for bell work on the differences in media from 1965 and today.  Then, show them by pulling up current articles.  This should be an amazing discussion opportunity to bring in media law issues as well as reporting/writing techniques.

Winter Blah: Coverage Ideas for Yearbook

Ideas for coverage seem to sag this time of year.  Here are a few suggestions to inspire your staff on these chilly winter days:

Each yearbook company has samples of spreads posted on their websites.  If your staff is lacking the creativity they had in September, but still need fresh ideas for coverage...log on to one of the company sites to generate new life in your staff. 

Companies also have a "best of the best" book available to all advisers.  Ask your rep for your company's book.  Taylor/Balfour's book is called "Yearbook Yearbook".  I think Herff's is "Ideas that Fly".  Nevertheless, all the companies have one and you can request it.  If you're up for bid this year, do a little sweet talking and see if the local rep will drop off one for free.

Also, your yearbook rep will have sample books from other high schools.  Ask he/she to bring the best book in the pile for your staff to view.  Maybe, they can find innovative ideas and spin them to use in the book.

National Journalism Adviser Certification

jea.org lists the requirements to become a CJE (Certified Journalism Educator) and an MJE (Master Journalism Educator).  These certifications issued by the Journalism Education Association are recognized nationally.  I highly recommend completing the certification process, especially if your state groups journalism education into a language arts or English teaching certification.

Trolling

After a student death over the Christmas break, our newspaper staff has learned more than they ever wanted to know about "trolling".  This method of searching out specific sub-groups of people on social networking sites, such as Facebook, has become an issue of much debate.

Watch this link with your students and have a discussion on how much they know about trolling.  How much do you know?  It is time to educate your school about this phenomena.

Travis' Law Video

Caption Writing ppt

Here is an easy 5 Step Powerpoint to teach basic caption writing.

5 Steps to Effective Captions

Snow Days=Photo Ops

We have a very unusual situation in Arkansas today, a snow day.  Our district is notorious for refusing to call school because of weather.  We've actually gotten more time off for tornadoes than snow.

Point being, encourage your photographers to capture images of students in the snow.  If they can walk or travel safely to your campus for shots, that's great.  It makes great filler for recapping the inclement weather policy or to use photos as support for an editorial on weather policies.  Plus, your yearbook staff should include photos of the students and snow covered campus, especially if you're like us and it doesn't happen very often.

Enjoy, if you have a snow day!  I'm sure we'll be back in session on Tuesday.

Editorial Prompt

This article from Florida is a perfect way to engage your young writers in school issues.  Student editors forget to cover school board meetings, teachers unions and district issues, unless it directly effects their campus.  Have the staff or a beginning journalism class read the article below and write an opinion piece.  then encourage them to seek current issues within their district that need attention or explanation.

Butterfly Article

Yearbook Coverage Idea

A book I viewed recently followed the day in the life of a desk.  The editors selected one desk in an English class and profiled every student assigned to that desk throughout the day.  I'm always telling my reporters that every student has a story.  This is a great way to select random students and challenge your reporters to find the story each one has.

Tweentribune.com

Another contest for your staffs to enter is at tweentribune.com.  The prompt is "How has techonlogy made the world a better place?"  The word limit is 100.  Deadline is January 15, so check it out quickly.   The overall winner after voting receives $500.  Runners up receive $100.

Reynolds Institute

hsj.org/reynolds is the link to learn more about the amazing Reynolds High School Journalism Institute.  The two week program is available for continuing education hours.  Advisers learn about media ethics, 1st Amendment issues, leadership development, critical thinking, etc....  this is the perfect opportunity for new advisers or teachers launching student media at their schools.  Deadline is March 1 for applications.

Check it out!

What If...

What if you, the adviser, never returned from winter break?  What if the editor quit? What if the photographer computer memory was erased?

These worst case scenarios are necessary for staff organization.  Could anyone on your staff, whether yearbook or newspaper, pick up where you left off?  Does each yearbook section editor have an organized computer file system that anyone could locate?  Do the photographers have their most important images backed up on a flash drive?

Forney High School is now living without their adviser.  Joy Wood unexpectedly passed away over the Christmas holiday.  What if your staff had to move forward without you?  Do your yearbook editors know the company rep and how to reach them?  Do the newspaper editors know how to upload files to the printing company or to the online edition?

Use this week to organize or reorganize.  Tragic circumstances can happen at any time to any staff.  Be prepared.  Practice these worst case scenarios and implement a system that maintains the performance level of you staff, no matter who or what is missing.

Prayers and condolences to the Forney High School staffs and the Wood family.