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Working With Intro Students & Publishing Online Mastery. Malcolm Galdwell says it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. Students in Journalism 1 & 2 have already taken the introductory course, and they will now work toward mastery of skills with the additional objectives of developing leadership and taking an active roll in editorial decision-making for the The Talon staff. This includes editing the work of Intro students, giving feedback, and at times, making assignments for either the print or online versions of the newspaper. My “Learn one, Do one, Teach one” model is still the mode of operation, and you will keep a portfolio, but you may also choose to specialize in a specific area of interest in which you will be our expert. We will publish weekly online and we can share some of the same stories, more in-depth, in print.

So…What’s The Scoop On Being On The Talon Staff? The advanced course of Journalism 1, 2, & Ed students will focus on

continued mastery of fundamentals in gathering information, journalistic writing, understanding and applying journalism standards and newspaper principles, and students will act as editors for publications. Until Intro students have learned to write, they will run the The Talon online themselves, writing, editing, and taking photos. Students may choose to attend a conference and participate in competitions – we plan on keeping The Talon’s reputation for excellence as one of the top newspapers in the state, region, and nation.

As in previous years, much of class time will be spent in the computer lab. All students will contribute to The Talon newspaper print or online, so we will run two staffs concurrently. While the editors will most often lead the class and plan publications, occasional large group, small group, and individual instruction will come from Mrs. Beth Swann. Advanced students will be leading discussions, critiquing and editing work, locating and interviewing sources, writing and revising stories based on student-conducted interviews and research, improving photography and design skills, and selling advertisements to fund publication. This class will edit and give feed back to Intro students. Advanced students will add to their online portfolios at the end of the semester.

Supplies: Camera Card 3-ring binder 2” notebook paper dividers pencil, pens & reporter’s notepad.

Policy: Meet all deadlines. One letter grade off for each day late (two-day max). No food or drinks in the computer lab. Water in class.

Contact Info: I am available by appointment before and after school for help. You may reach me via my school email address: swanne@fortmillschools.org

F A L L 2 0 1 8

Nation Ford High School • Beth Swann, Instructor J

1 • 2 • Ed

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Expectations for Students:

Discipline Policy: I expect each student to contribute to a positive learning environment. Like any organization or business, morale and cooperation are critical to success and the happiness of the staff. Advanced students are to lead by example, meaning they must model professional behavior at all times. Students are expected to show respect to fellow students, your teacher, your classroom and materials, and yourself. Follow procedures such as staying on task, staying off your photnes unless it’s for newspaper busnisness, refraining from unnecessary socializing, signing in and out of class, putting away equipment, etc. Every student as the right to learn, so if you choose to be disruptive, disrespectful, or exhibit inappropriate behavior, it will be addressed with verbal warning, 1 on 1 conference the outside classroom & possible email or phone call to parent, lunch detention, and then TIMEOUT/ISS (followed up by referral). I expect no leader to require this kind of discipline. You are my best students. Mature, responsible behavior is expected. Repeat offenders will not be given warnings. They will have to learn self-control.

Journalism Classroom Norms Here’s what we need from you so that all students can be successful.

Give me your best, and we’ll have an awesome semester.

Serving as a member of the newspaper staff is a privilege and a responsibility. Students are expected to produce publications of the highest ethical and quality standards. Students who demonstrate a strong work ethic and maturity will get the most opportunities and freedom throughout the course. Furthermore: ✎ You are expected to get to class on time with all your materials as instructed. You will always need notebook, paper, and writing utensils.

✎ Come to class prepared. Count on a current event quiz every Friday. You’ll scored on a point system.

✎ Listen respectfully to me and to your classmates. Journalists – and all good writers – are good listeners.

✎ We’ll be discussing some controversial subjects. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Unlike the talking heads on TV, we will engage in civil, intelligent debates.

✎ Work independently and cooperatively, adhering to the publication policies.

✎ Complete tasks on time. DEADLINES are critical in the news business (and my classroom). Late work is penalized one grade per day. If you have no extension ahead of time, then by day 3, no credit. Make-up work ASAP – we still have deadlines, and quizzes or tests must be within 5 days.

✎ You must be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing at all times. To leave class, you must have a pass, emergency pass (3/grading period) for nurse or bathroom, or press pass for journalism business. You must have permission first, and you will also sign out and back in when we are in the lab.

✎ No food or drinks other than water in a closed container to be kept in your backpack. No electronic devices while in class unless it is for journalistic purposes – and you must get permission. The school policy applies.

✎ Clean up after yourself and adhere to school rules, including those for electronic devices.

✎ Do your best. We publish any quality piece you create.

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Welcome to The Talon Staff: It’s more than a class. We expect professional behavior for a real job & real responsibility.

As of today, you are a student journalist – before you know it, you’ll be blogging or or going under cover for an investigative report. You should know:

• Press Law: Freedom and Responsibility Know the law & adhere to high journalistic standards. • The News Function Recognize and gather news for stories, identify parts and purposes of a newspaper, and understand the hierarchy and work process of a newspaper staff. • News Writing Practice the techniques of covering and writing news leads and news stories, and practice using a word processor to set up copy correctly. • Editing & Style Use proper editing marks and style rules. See how broadcast journalism differs from print, and tape your own show. • The Art of Interviewing Study and practice the art of interviewing sources, and recognize legitimate sources in the professional press. •Feature Writing Evaluate all types of features and to write feature leads and stories.

• Op/Ed Writing & Special Columns Study and write editorials for class and The Talon. Read, discuss and evaluate different types of special columns. • Sports Writing Cover sports events and write advance, coverage and follow-up stories, and features. • Headline & Cutline Writing Write headlines and cutlines, using a variety of typestyles.

• Layout & Design Design pages through computerized techniques. Infographics included. • Photo Journalism Introductory photography and computerized techniques. • Business & Advertising Understand the financial management of a newspaper. Use media for PR. Design work. Sell at least one ad.

Quill & Scroll International Honor Society: Those students who excel and have earned a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher may be nominated to join Quill & Scroll and apply for scholarship funds. Induction will take place in the spring semester.

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Making the Grade Journalism Students Are Typically at the Top

Plan on at least one field trip and perhaps guest speakers in class. Mature and respectful behavior will be required. FYI: Journalism students typically have the highest SAT scores

in the U.S. College scholarships may be available for journalism students.

EVALUATION (GRADES) YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHOOSE A PARTICULAR AREA OF INTEREST TO MASTER

AND THEN MENTOR OTHER STUDENTS. LEARN ONE! DO ONE! TEACH ONE!

MINOR ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENTS Homework (ie. beats), Current Events, Warm up activities, Classroom Activities, Note-taking

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENTS

Students will evaluated by adherence to staff job descriptions (writers, editors, photographers, etc.) Quizzes/Tests on AP Style Rules, current events

Articles/Projects, 1 ad sale, Service project with staff Electronic Portfolio

Final Exam = 10% of semester grade

Should you complete the minimum requirements, you will be expected to go above and beyond: work is still due every week, and you may be acting as an apprentice or a master of any given area (ie photography), in which case you are either moving toward mastery OR assisting your own apprentice. J1&2 students are expected to master research/interviewing, writing, photography, editing/AP style, design, headline, cutline writing. FIRST source material is expected – going off campus to conduct in-person interviews and take photos is required at times. MINIMUM Requirements for Your Portfolio in ADDITION to previous year’s work:

6 photos with cutlines and arranged in a professional-looking layout (magazine/yearbook style) 3 news stories (includes sports) 3 features (includes sports) 2 op/ed (or 1 op/ed and 1 review or column) 1 layout (single or double-truck) 2 examples of infographics (you may collaborate with an artist on this) 2 Man-on-the-Street sidebars 3 Edits (proof read a story using copy editing marks and AP style rules) 1 Ad sale (you may design it as well, but include a copy of the ad even if you are not the designer) 1 PR project (ie help set up Twitter acct. or send a tweet, add to FB, make a flier/poster/banner, etc.) 2 Presentations: Power Points, Prezi’s, podcasts or videos: ie.“First Five”

Each week, an article/project is DUE by Friday or the DEADLINE set by the appropriate editor. We will rotate deadlines for each staff (sports, news, etc) for the online version. You’ll write for The Talon (both online & print) and for your portfolio. Top-notch work (as determined by editors and adviser) will be published. You will complete a weekly worksheet (keep up each day) and turn it in with hard copies of your work attached (ie. notes, photos, articles, etc.) each Friday. You will keep all completed worksheets and hardcopies in your folder in the newsroom/computer lab. You will have an assignment every week. You’ll keep the projects on the Z-drive in your folder and will put them together in a portfolio that is due at the end of the semester before the final exam. You must have an ELECTRONIC portfolio to turn in for this course to highlight your work, skills, experiences, and awards -- which will be helpful for job applications, college scholarship applications, and contests. ☺