Sunday, August 31, 2014

Wednesday, September 3: Course Overview / criteria sheet / policies and expectations


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 
site:  http://www.journalism14-15.blogspot.com This is your key to 
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.


Classroom management:
  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.

            
        

  1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
     Please memorize the above; this will be a quiz on Friday September 5.  





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: __________________________________________________________


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