NEWSPAPERSNEWSPAPERS ININ EDUCATIONEDUCATION Introductory Guide www.montrealgazette.com/digital NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION INTRODUCTORY GUIDE Table of Contents FOREWORD 1 THE 5 WS OF NIE - AND HOW 3 GETTING STARTED 6 ABOUT THE NEWSPAPER The purpose of the newspaper 6 Newspaper content 7 Newspaper writing styles 7 Hard News 7 Features 9 Opinion 11 Advertising 13 Discussion topics 17 Other introductory activities 20 22 SAMPLE ACTIVITIES BY SUBJECT Language Arts / Drama / History and Social Studies Geography / Moral Education / Math / Science Life Skills / Economics/Business / Art / Music 32 NEWSPAPER TERMINOLOGY Adapted from the 1994 Gazette-in-Education guide of the same name, written and designed by Gary George, with sample activities by Ellen Laughlin and Lorena Morante Edited and revised by Ellen Laughlin Re-design by Laleah Tanguay Special thanks to the Canadian Newspaper Association for permission to adapt Great Beginnings, and to the Calgary Herald for permission to incorporate some of its online NIE material. FOREWORD As the thousands of teachers who use newspapers in the classroom will tell you, the newspaper is an excellent addition to any curriculum and a valuable teaching tool for all grade levels. This guide is designed to give you an overview of how to use newspapers in the classroom effectively. It includes background information about the newspaper, discussion topics and sample activities for a variety of subject areas. For additional information and support services, contact the Gazette-in-Education department at (514) 987-2400, or online at: www.thegazetteineducation.com The 5 Ws of NIE – and How WHAT is NIE? NIE is an acronym for Newspapers in Education. Newspapers throughout the world have The concept of using newspapers in the class- responded to the need for newspapers in the room is not new, of course. Teachers have been classroom by establishing an NIE department. creating newspaper-based activities and projects This department processes school subscriptions for years, often with very few resources other to both the printed newspaper and the than their own imagination, initiative and increasingly popular digital version, and determination to give their students the best oversees the creation and distribution of education possible. What is new is the fact that resource materials. The Gazette provides teachers now have a wealth of resources to draw services to hundreds of schools – and we’re just upon – through the newspaper industry itself. one of many newspapers involved with NIE. WHO can use newspapers in the classroom? Virtually any teacher can use newspapers in class. small groups or large classes. There is something for The newspaper has a lot to offer, whether you teachers of virtually every subject – from language teach elementary, secondary or adult education and math to moral education and science. See courses. It can be used with individual students, page 22 for sample activities by subject. WHEN can you use newspapers with your students? The newspaper can fit into your curriculum at virtually any time. You might, for instance: • introduce a separate two- or three-week • ask your students to collect subject-specific newspaper study unit clippings over a period of time • encourage free-time reading of the newspaper • designate one day a week as newspaper day, throughout the year and use the paper to teach everything from • lead a daily current-events discussion with your language arts and math to social studies and art students 1 The 5 Ws of NIE – and How WHY use newspapers in the classroom? • Newspapers are one of the most motivational, • In addition to learning about specific subjects, cost-efficient and readily available teaching students who use newspapers in the classroom tools to be found. tend to improve in other areas such as language skills, critical thinking and general knowledge. • Newspapers provide students with information that is relevant, interesting and up to date. • Studies show that regular use of newspapers in class has a positive effect on students’ attitudes • Teaching with the newspaper provides some toward specific subjects, general school work dramatic results right from the start – students and the community at large. are always interested in doing something new. Once you have their attention, the sky is the limit! WHERE in the newspaper can you find teaching material? The newspaper offers a wealth of useful material. Lessons can be based on any element of the newspaper, such as: • headlines • lifestyles • local news • entertainment • national news • travel • world news • horoscopes • editorials • puzzles • letters to the editor • classified ads • opinion columns • display ads • editorial cartoons • photographs • business • lists and charts • weather • maps • comics • puzzles • sports • etc. 2 Getting Started 1. Order newspapers or online access for your class Contact The Gazette to order newspapers and more. Online subscribers also have or arrange for online access to the digital access to other CanWest newspapers across version. Printed copies of The Gazette, the country. available for school delivery in the Montreal When using the print version, one newspaper area, may be more practical when computer for every two students is often enough in the access is limited and hands-on activities are early grades. Older students should each have preferred. The online edition is ideal when their own copy. For the digital edition, each a computer lab or in-class computers are student should ideally have computer access. available, and is invaluable in out-of-town Where this is not possible, students may work areas. The digital version of The Gazette in pairs or small groups, taking turns at class- contains everything in the printed edition, as room computers, or view newspaper pages well as extra features, summaries, archives, projected onto a screen. search capability, oral reading of each article 2. Start Small Be careful not to overwhelm yourself or your students by tackling too much, too soon. It is best to start by getting students familiar with the newspaper itself. Provide enough time for you and your students to explore the newspaper thoroughly before moving on to the subject matter at hand. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind during the introductory phase: • Keep the first few activities short, simple and • If your students are using the online version teacher-directed. Initial activities should be for the first time, give them time to explore done by the whole class to ensure that every the many special features that make reading student is comfortable with the newspaper. and learning both easy and interesting. Make sure they know how to move from page to • Concentrate initially on the contents and page and section to section, use the table of writing styles of the newspaper. Talk with contents to preview articles, enlarge articles your students about the different sections and for easy reading, search the archives, listen to features, the variety of information to be found, news stories read aloud, print items of interest, the difference between fact and opinion, etc. and so on. (See Newspaper Writing Styles on page 7.) • Introduce appropriate topics for discussion • A scavenger hunt for specific items (weather about newspapers in general. (See Discussion map, index, classified ads, sports, comics, etc.) Topics on page 17.) is a great way to familiarize students with the newspaper. (See sample scavenger hunt on page 20.) 3 Getting Started 3. Use the newspaper to meet a variety of objectives Once your students have learned about the newspaper – i.e. once they are familiar with newspaper content and writing styles – they can begin to learn with the news- paper. In other words, they can use newspaper content to develop knowledge and skills in a wide variety of subject areas. (See Sample Activities by Subject beginning on page 22.) The following are just a few of the skills that can be acquired through regular newspaper use: • skimming/scanning • researching/fact finding • summarizing • critical reading and thinking • awareness of social issues • oral / silent reading • sequencing • comparing and contrasting • role playing / dramatization • creative writing • predicting outcomes • discussing issues and events • expressing understanding creatively Remember that newspapers are a reflection of the adult world around us. Common sense and flexibility are essential when using newspapers in the classroom. Content that might be considered too controversial or adult in nature should be handled with discretion. Similarly, use your judgment to benefit from a teaching opportunity when it presents itself. For example, a relevant news story should be used because of its immediacy – the scheduled lesson can usually be rescheduled for another day. 4 Getting Started 4. Storage and handling of printed newspapers If you are using printed newspapers and want them to be used more than once, it is wise to store them in an orderly fashion. Stacking newspapers invariably leads to a messy pile. Here are a few methods to consider: • Use boxes or crates with partitions and roll each newspaper into an individual slot. Milk crates or divided liquor store boxes are ideal. • String a clothesline under the blackboard and hang the newspapers over the line. • Hang the newspapers from a clothes rack. (Make sure it’s sturdy.) • Have each student sign his or her name to the newspaper used. Students are usually hesitant to return a messy copy with their name on it. • Allow sufficient time at the end of the class for students to reassemble their newspapers and store them properly. Small children will need help in manipulating the newspaper. Here are a few ways to make it easier for them: • Staple the centerfold to avoid having the sections fall out. • Give students individual sections rather than the whole newspaper at once. • Teach them to “close cut” around material being taken from the newspaper; most of the page will stay intact if the clipping is done carefully. • To extend the life of a newspaper, save any cut-and-paste activities until you are just about finished with the newspaper – or until just prior to your next newspaper delivery.