Welcome to Senior Journalism.
This fall we are fortunate to have Ms. Bowering from the University of Rochester working with us, first as an observer and then as a teacher.
Note: Wednesday: class overview / introductions
Thursday: Proust questionnaire
Friday: write out your memorized First Amendment.
Note: ear buds and a thumb drive are required for this course.
Very important: make sure check your grades on parent connect and that your parents do also. There are no silly grade report handouts. Almost all grades are put in within 24 hours.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Each day when you come into the room, you should log onto this
the class. It will tell you everything that is happening that day, as
well as upcoming assignments and assessments. There is almost no paper used in the course. All work must be submitted electronically, where it will be graded and the scores and comments posted electronically. Both you and your folks can see everything we do everyday. You have access to the class 24/ 7. I have designed the course, so that there is minimal work outside the classroom. However, I expect 40 minutes of productive work each day. That means anytime wasted in class means additional time outside the classroom. As well, that means you are responsible for the work that occurs when you are not here. Work may only be made up for legal absences. These must be recorded as such in the office. Otherwise, if you are not here- and there is no recorded legal absence- the work is due by midnight that day- or it is worth a maximum of 50. Remember that there are only four marking periods, so it is imperative that you keep your grades up.
Please note that school field trips, play or music performances and college visits are anticipated outings. If an assignment is due on that day, plan accordingly, for there will be no extension. Check the blog and get the work in by midnight! Or as we have many projects, plan to get it in ahead. Again, there are no excuses for planned activities. This is an honors level course, with real-world expectations and outcomes.
You have, or will have, heard that there are more structured school-wide policies.
1. As a review: there are no phones out EVER. Keep them stowed; otherwise, Ms. Aspenleiter will come to room and collect them, their retrieval only after you have served a Saturday detention. This is not a discussion point.
2. There are no food or beverages allowed in the computer labs, nor in any classroom; however, this is extremely important in the labs.
3. Tardy....not acceptable. If you arrive after the bell without a pass, expect a detention after the third offence.
Detentions will occur in room 176 after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. You have one week from the assigned detention to complete your obligation, at which point an administrator will assign a Saturday obligation.
Ok, as bright, responsible seniors, I think we can close the page on the management part and talk about the class.
Below you will find a copy of the class criteria sheet. If you loose your class handout, copy and past the past the second page and send it back to me at my school address: Dolly. Parker@rcsdk12.org. This is also the address to send all assignments and communications. Make sure you identify the subject and your name.
As stated you must have your own ear buds and a thumb drive.
So what do we do in journalism?
The following was excerpted from the American Press Institute.
"Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information. It is also the product of these activities;...its purpose [is]to provide people with verified information they can use to make better decisions, and its practices, the most important of which is a systematic process – a discipline of verification – [means] that journalists... find not just the facts, but also the “truth about the facts. Journalism attempts to be fair and accurate. It does this through objective methods and managing bias."
In practical terms, we read and analyze and write. There are also research and presentations.
topics:
Understanding the First Amendment, our keystone to freedom of the press
Bias
History of Journalism
Types of news
Writing articles
Advertising
Conducting interviews
Obituaries (not the short clips in the paper)
Satire
Editorials
Blogging
Tabloids
Photojournalism
Reviews
In addition, you will complete a resume and cover letter. Your senior exit interview is December 3. Mark your calendar.
LoadinCourse Criteria Sheet: Senior Journalism
Please sign and return the attached
sheet by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Journalism
is the natural expression of human curiosity and the exploration of human
nature. As with other language arts
courses,
students will practice those reading, writing and oral skills that promote
proficiency. Our
goal
is their practical application to whatever further educational path the student
chooses. This course introduces
the
strategies, tools and techniques of journalism. Students will work in a variety
of media to explore local,
national
and global issues. Upon the successful
completion of the course, the student will receive one
graduation
credit.
Needed Classroom Materials:
Thumb drive This is for
computer work and presentations.
Ear buds We work almost
exclusively with the computers and students must be able to hear their
material.
*Contact information: Mrs. Parker’s telephone: 242-7682; please leave a
message and I’ll ring you back
within 24 hours; e-mail: Dolly.Parker@rcsdk12.org; mail box
location: first floor, behind the reception desk.
*Class blog:. http://www.journalism14-15.blogspot.com
This is the go-to place for all class information, including
copies
of readings and assignments. Parents and
students should check the blog to
stay up to date on all class
information.
This is especially important, if the student is absent.
*Parent Connect: The system is designed to improve communication
between school and home to support student
achievement.
Through this secure online system, you will be able to check your child’s
academic progress from any
computer,
any time. Registration is through the RCSD website: http://www.rcsdk12.org.
So as to ensure a successful
year,
all parents are requested to register. Students have their own accounts, which
will allow them to stay up-to-date on
their
progress. This is accessed through their student id.
Late work policy: Per school policy, students with legal absences have ten days to
make up assignments; otherwise work
will
be accepted for a grade of 50% until the end of the marking period.
Grading: Writing 50%,
Class Work 40%, Homework 10%. Note that summer reading is due by Friday,
September 5. This
will be counted as 5 points
bonus towards your final marking period grade. Senior exit interviews will be
held 12/5.
Please
note the following school-wide classroom plan.
Be on time, Be prepared,
Be engaged.
Early is on time! J On time is late! L
Cell phones and all
Electronics are prohibited in ALL classrooms.
To include but not
limited to: ear buds, headphones, IPODS.
The dress code will be
strictly enforced.
To include but not
limited to: hats, hoodies and bandanas,
as well as what is prescribed by the school
handbook and posters.
Disrespect/Disruption
to the educational process is prohibited.
To
include but not limited to: bullying,
profanity, food consumption and personal grooming.
CONSEQUENCES: To
include but not limited to:
Verbal/non-verbal
warning/contact log
Move the student’s
seat
Parent contact
Lunch detention
After school
detention
Conference with administrator
NON-NEGOTIABLES – Immediate removal from classroom
To include but not limited to: Fighting; both physical and
verbal, vandalism, theft, chronic disruption, and suspicion of being under the
influence of illegal substances.
SEVERE
CONSEQUENCES: To be determined by administration
Senior
Journalism Mrs. Parker due Friday
September 5
We have read the course criteria sheet, noting
the required materials and the importance of
registering
on Parent Connect.
Student
name (print)_____________________________________________________
Student
signature _______________________________________________________
Student
e-mail _________________________________________________________
Parent/
guardian name (print)______________________________________________
Parent
signature ________________________________________________________
Parent
e-mail contact: ____________________________________________________
phone
contact: __________________________________________________________
