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School Year 2019-20
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Prof. Fee: $0
Homework: yes
Hours/Week: 2
Max/Min Students: 12/4
Grade Range: 9-12** This class continues all year, but semesters may be taken independently.**
Course Description:
Students will enhance their writing skills while learning the basics of journalism. The genres of hard news and feature writing will be introduced with fairy tales, and then students will write real news stories to be published in a periodic Heritage newsletter. Students will refine their grammar skills by taking a weekly online grammar quiz, which will be discussed in the beginning of class each week. Students will also be expected to keep up with current events. Photojournalism and design will be explored in the spring semester as students will have the option to contribute to the production of the Heritage yearbook, or focus more on the newsletter.
Course Expectations:
• Learn how to write four basic journalistic genres: news, feature, review, op-ed.
• Learn all aspects of the writing process from brainstorming and interviewing, to editing and publishing.
• Learn to give and accept constructive criticism.
• Refine grammar skills necessary for journalistic and professional writing.
• Become familiar with AP style.
• Learn the basic photography skills required to create and edit quality photos.
• Become familiar with the TreeRing website and software, applying computer skills and design principles to the production of yearbook pages (optional).
• Plan a project from start to finish, while learning to manage their time and work together as a team.
• Actively engage in all class activities, responding thoughtfully and constructively during class.
Prerequisites: Students should have average writing skills at the high school level, or advanced writing skills at the middle school level.
Workload: Moderate. Students can expect one writing assignment per week, as well as a weekly online grammar quiz. Students will also be required to read newspaper and/or magazine articles. For a high school credit (120-180 hours of work), please note that the required 2 hours of homework, plus 1 hour of class time each week amounts to 108 hours of work for the year. Two hours of homework is an estimate; some students may take longer, and some not as long. Please use your discretion as the parent when determining if your child has earned a high school writing credit.
Teacher Provides: curriculum, handouts, plastic sheet protectors when necessary
Student Provides: binder, filler paper, digital camera or smart phone, writing utensils, creativity
** This ID is assigned to classes not on the current class schedule. The codes and descriptions are available then to revive to offer again. **
Details:Class meets on Monday from 9:00 PM to 9:55 PM