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In case you missed these curriculum, activity materials

During the last week or so, JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission released or assisted with the release of some important teaching and advising materials. In case you missed them then, here are the links again: • Lesson plans for Constitution Day, Sept. 17 (and links to plans from previous years). • Links to essential information…

In their own words: What students say about their journalism experiences

Testimonials from students involved in scholastic media: • Jenna Spoont: I am a journalist because I can reach out to those around me and inform them about problems in society. In December 2012, I wrote a story called “World Wide Watch” about the dangers of sexting. I researched statistics, interviewed students and national experts and spoke…

Talking Points: Starting a discussion between advisers and administrators
to build the case against prior review, restraint

by Lori Keekley Advisers and administrators should be partners in education, not adversaries. Advisers must teach principals about the importance of journalism and its relevance to today’s curriculum as well as enlighten them about the pitfalls of prior review and restraint. We’ve created these Talking Points, based in part on Quill & Scroll’s new version…

One way journalists can make a difference
is by using FOIA to protect right to know

by Stan Zoller One of the interesting things about starting a school year is to find out why students are taking “J-1” – Introduction to Journalism. The answers, to no surprise, run the gamut. • “Because my friend did.” • “Because my parents made me.” • “Because I like to write.” • “Because I’m interested…

Evaluating the use of unnamed sources

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 1. Lesson: THE USE OF ANONYMOUS SOURCES For any journalist, the use of anonymous sources creates a true predicament—one in which the newspaper’s credibility is on the line, and the reporter takes full responsibility for the authenticity and accuracy of whatever the…

Effective and complete use of sources

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 2. EFFECTIVE AND COMPLETE USE OF SOURCES Judges of all types of scholastic media platforms report a definite increase in the lack of sources – and not just appropriate ones. These lessons can help students understand the importance of identifying sources and…

Comparing sourcing, and verifying stories in print, digital media

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 3. Comparing sourcing, verifying stories in print, digital media In this lesson, students will compare and contrast the need for sourcing in digital and print media and develop for each platform. Policies should be consistent with professional journalism standards and allow for…

Accountability in journalism: What does it mean for student journalists?

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: LESSON PLAN: Quick hits: questions for online discussion, inclusion in staff policies: The buzzword accountability. What does it mean? In this lesson, students will discuss three questions: • For what should journalists (commercial and scholastic) be accountable? • How do we define…

Checking your sources, evaluating and verifying them

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 4. LESSON PLAN: Quick hits: Checking your sources, evaluating and verifying them In this lesson, students will complete a quick exercise in which they attempt to check a publication’s sources, evaluating and verifying them. The discussion will lead toward the development of…

Reporting sharks in the subway: Evaluating the credibility factor

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 5. Lesson plan: Reporting sharks in the subway: evaluating the credibility factor In this lesson, students will examine several leads on a common topic and evaluate the use of sources, facts and the value of the news itself. Summative evaluation tool: Class…

The decision to report: Because you can, does that mean you should?

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package. The whole package can be seen here: http://jeasprc.org/constitution-day-2013-teaching-materials-and-lessons/ by Jeff Kocur Objective: For students to explore ethical situations using the TUFF formula as described in the lesson. This unit focuses possible discussion points for inclusion in editorial policies. Primary Common Core: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1 Secondary Common…

Using online legal resources

Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: by Chris Waugaman Three primary Common Core state standards addressed (see https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy ) • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text…