Sun Valley Magnet School – Fall 2014 Journalism MS A Ms. Wright, Room 215

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Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to the first semester of Journalism! This semester, Journalism students will train in

writing news stories, feature articles, and editorials. Students will develop skills in basic

interviewing techniques, collecting research, selecting appropriate evidence and support, and

organizing material from other sources. Laboratory experiences in preparation of the school

newspaper will provide practice in editing and publication procedures, including copyreading,

headline writing, page makeup, proofreading, and achieving a balanced publication through a

selection of editorial accounts.

Parents, please make sure that your student has the required supplies (see list on p. 5). Please

read this packet carefully, fill out the last page, and return it by Monday, August 18.

Materials

Student journalists are expected to keep their class materials organized in order to ensure their

academic success. Regular supply checks will be conducted for class credit.

AVID Binder: Three-ring AVID binders will be issued by the school at the beginning of the

year. The student is responsible for maintaining this binder and replacing it if it is lost or

damaged. Inside the binder should be stored a pencil pouch, the SVMS Agenda Planner, and

dividers. One divider must be labeled “Journalism,” and all handouts distributed for this class

(including this syllabus) and story drafts are to be kept in that section.

Reader-Writer Notebook (RWN): Classwork assignments (Do-Nows, notes, journals, etc.) are

to be completed in a marble composition notebook that will be stored in our classroom. The

student is responsible for maintaining this notebook and making sure it is stored correctly.

Reporter’s Notebook: Students will keep a reporter’s notebook (spiral notebook) for

observations, research, and interviews. This must be bound paper. Loose-leaf paper is not

allowed. This notebook is meant to be brought to class every day, brought home each night, and

carried with the reporter to assignments and interviews.

Gmail account and flash drive: Because we will be researching and typing stories on the

computer, students must have a reliable way to save their work. It is strongly recommended that

students sign up for a gmail email address (got to gmail.com) so that they can access Google

Drive to save work. Alternatively, students may use a flash drive to save work.

Student Work Portfolio: Over the course of the school year, students will maintain a portfolio

of the articles and photos they have produced for the school newspaper, as well as other writing

assignments. (Portfolio folder will be provided by Ms. Wright.)

Sun Valley Magnet School – Fall 2014 Journalism MS A Ms. Wright, Room 215

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Procedures

Homework Policy

Students are expected to submit homework on the day it is due. To turn in an assignment, place it

in the colored drawer marked for your class period. Late homework will be accepted for a

reduced grade of 10% for each day late. Students who do not turn in their homework on the due

date must fill out a yellow “Missing Work Log” form. Students must record their homework in

their agenda planners. Parents should check agenda planners every night and initial as

requested. Students who do not turn in homework repeatedly may be assigned after school

detention.

Make-up Work Policy

Students who are absent have one day to make up work for each day of class missed. Students

are responsible for asking Ms. Wright what they missed and turning in make-up work on time.

Homework assignments are recorded in Ms. Wright’s agenda planner. Missed class handouts are

kept in the “Were you absent?” bin at the Student Station. Students can make up tests and class

work during lunch and after school. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with

Ms. Wright.

The Newspaper

You will be expected to make contributions to the class newspaper, which is distributed to the

student body. Therefore, you will have deadlines to meet, and your classmates will be relying on

your work–be responsible. You will also be expected to assist with generating advertising and

funding. You may also be creating videos, writing, revising and editing articles, taking pictures,

drawing cartoons, writing headlines, or designing pages.

Class Expectations

1. Bring all needed materials to class.

2. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.

3. Respect and be polite to all people. (This means being open to ideas different from your own,

being mindful of how your actions affect others, using appropriate language, and creating a

positive environment in which everyone feels safe.)

4. Listen and stay seated when someone is talking. (This includes when Ms. Wright is teaching,

during announcements, during class discussion, and when students are presenting.)

5. Respect other people’s property and personal space. (This means don’t touch what’s not

yours, ask before borrowing, and don’t waste materials.)

6. Obey all school rules. (Highlights: no food drinks, candy, or gum in class; no violence; no

weapons; no drugs; keep electronics turned off and put away; no spraying of

perfume/cologne/deodorant.)

Sun Valley Magnet School – Fall 2014 Journalism MS A Ms. Wright, Room 215

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Not meeting class expectations will result in a warning. Repeated disrespect of the rules will

result in parent notification and appropriate disciplinary action.

Behavior Consequences

Positive Negative

❒ Awarded positive ClassDojo point

❒ Higher participation grade

❒ Class privileges (free time, graphic novels,

special jobs, etc.)

❒ Positive note/call home

❒ Class party and other prizes

❒ A sense of accomplishment and confidence in

oneself

❒ Negative ClassDojo point

❒ Lower participation grade

❒ Sent to Reflection Center

❒ Campus Beautification (trash pick-up)

❒ Classroom Beautification

❒ Note/call home

❒ After-school detention

❒ Referred to Dean’s Office

❒ Behavior contract, parent conference

Learning Objectives

After completing this course successfully, students will be able to do the following:

1. Recognize that journalistic writing has a variety of purposes and functions.

2. Read, interpret, and respond to varied media.

3. Compose headlines, biographies, news and sports stories, features, and editorials.

4. Appreciate the principles of layout and design.

5. Use technology for obtaining, reporting, and disseminating information.

6. Collaborate with classmates by sharing ideas and insights productively and respectfully,

using critical thinking skills to make decisions and solve problems.

7. Appreciate the importance of the First Amendment and understand how it applies to

student journalists and publications.

8. Understand that journalists have ethical, social, and moral responsibilities regarding what

they disseminate.

9. Understand composition of photos and issues regarding their use.

10. Know the history of journalism and its role in the new technology age.

Grading

Classwork, Projects, and Presentations 25%

Tests and Quizzes 30%

Writing Assignments 30%

Homework 10%

Participation, Teamwork, and Journalistic Integrity 5%

Sun Valley Magnet School – Fall 2014 Journalism MS A Ms. Wright, Room 215

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Sun Valley Magnet School – Fall 2014 Journalism MS A Ms. Wright, Room 215

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Required Supplies for Journalism Class*

❒ Two pens with blue or black ink.

❒ Composition notebook (to be left in class)

No spiral notebooks, please! (They get

stuck together when stored.)

❒ Spiral notebook (for reporter’s notebook)

to be carried between class and home

❒ School-distributed AVID three-ring binder

with dividers (to be shared with other

classes)

❒ Pencil pouch (to be kept in binder)

❒ Loose-leaf college ruled paper

❒ USB flash drive (to save work done on the

computer).

*Most of these supplies do not cost more than $1 each and are available at 99 Cents Only, Dollar Tree,

Target, Office Depot, Staples, Costco and most grocery stores. Flash drives usually range in cost from $8-

$15.

First Supply Check: August _______

Sun Valley Magnet School – Fall 2014 Journalism MS A Ms. Wright, Room 215

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Dear Parent or Guardian,

I wanted to write home today to tell you about ClassDojo, a new teacher tool I will be using to help build your student’s learning habits and boost classroom engagement. ClassDojo allows me to track student behavior and learning skills throughout the day! One of the great features of ClassDojo is that it allows me to send you a “behavior and skills report” every Friday by email. My hope is that this will bring you and me closer together and help you better understand the progress of your student on a week to week basis. For homework tonight I’ve asked your student to have you fill out this form so I can get your email address. Thank you very much!

Best wishes,

Ms. Wright emily.wright@lausd.net Student name: _______________________ Parent email address: ______________________________

___ I do not have an email address. Please call me at this number:_______________________

I have read and understand the class rules.

Student Signature: __________________________ Parent Signature: __________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimados Padres de Familia:

Hoy quise escribirles sobre ClassDojo, esta es una nueva herramienta de los maestros que usaremos para crear hábitos de estudios en los estudiantes. ClassDojo me permite seguir el comportamiento y las habilidades de aprendizaje de los alumnos durante el día.

Uno de los mejores recursos de ClassDojo es permitirme enviarles a casa el “reporte de comportamiento y habilidades” de su hijo(a) cada viernes usando su correo electrónico. Mi idea es que ustedes y yo estemos unidos, para ayudar con el progreso de su estudiante de semana en semana. Como tarea para esta noche le pedí a su estudiante que les solicite llenar la siguiente información para así tener la dirección de su correo electrónico. Muchas gracias.

Mis mejores deseos, Ms. Wright emily.wright@lausd.net Nombre del estudiante: __________________________________

Su dirección de correo electrónico: ______________________________

___ Yo no tengo una dirección electrónica. Por favor, llámame a este número de teléfono:

______________________________

He leído y entiendo las reglas de clase.

Firma del estudiante: __________________________ Su firma: __________________________