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Activity
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Methodology
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Resources
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1. Writing Summaries
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Discuss the purpose and requirements of a summary (précis). Using a checklist examine an example of a summary and the original article it came from (When Machines Think by Ray Kurzwell).
Using the Writing Summaries assignment sheet, and two short high-interest magazine or newspaper articles, summarize the articles following the guidelines on the checklist. Most of the first summary is done together as a class to model the process. Edit and revise.
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Article and checklist from Language & Writing 9, p. 132.
Writing Summaries assignment sheet; two short high-interest articles; Self and Peer Editing Checklist
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2. Writing a Report (research-based essay)
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Discuss the purpose and requirements of a research report. Examine a checklist for writing a research report, including information on introductory, concluding, body paragraphs, and transitional phrases.
Provide an Writing a Report assignment sheet, including factual information in point form on two topics. Students choose one of the two topics (thesis statements), and assemble details to write a research report. In addition, they will use the internet to find additional facts to support what has already been given, and document sources of that information. A process of selecting useful information, and eliminating non-useful information will be followed.
The assignment sheet assists students in generating introductory and concluding paragraphs, as well as topic sentences. The introductory paragraph and several topic sentences are done together as a class to model the process. Edit and revise.
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Checklist from Language & Writing 9, p. 144-145; transitional phrases p. 206
Writing a Report assignment sheet; a page of point form information on two topics (Internet and other sources); Self and Peer Editing Checklist
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3. Introduction to Print Journalism
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a. What is print journalism?
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Provide one copy of a recent newspaper (e.g. Globe and Mail) to each student. Give some time to flip through the paper.
Complete a Glossary of Print Journalism Terms together as a class.
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A class set of a recent full-featured newspaper (e.g., Globe & Mail)
Glossary of Print Journalism Terms worksheet
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b. Parts of a newspaper
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Do a Newspaper Scavenger Hunt that asks students to find a number of elements in a newspaper (page banner, date, advertisement, weather report, opinion, food, headline, photograph caption, news article, feature article, cartoons, editorial, etc.)
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Newspaper Scavenger Hunt worksheet; class set of a full featured newspaper (e.g., Globe & Mail)
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c. Looking critically at journalism
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Examine a list of headlines and photographs and write the explicit or implicit message contained within. Respond personally in written topic-sentence paragraphs to several shocking news stories.
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Critical Journalism worksheet
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4. News Articles
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a. News values
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Provide a description sheet on News Values that includes those things that "make the news" (timeliness, conflict, drama, emotional, etc.)
Complete the associated worksheet, searching for two news or sports news articles and classifying them according to their news values.
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News Values description sheet and worksheet adapted from The Newspaper teaching package (unknown source); class set of a full-featured newspaper
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b. Structure of a news story
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Using a Writing Headlines description and worksheet discussing how to write effective headlines, and giving sample news stories that require headlines.
Discuss the inverted pyramid used in a news story, the 5Ws+H using a How to Write a News Article description sheet.
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Writing Headlines worksheet adapted from The Newspaper and Eight Proven Ways You Can Write Effective Headlines
How to Write a News Article description sheet adapted from The Newspaper
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c. Write a news lead and a news article
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Using a Writing News Leads worksheet, examine the five types of news leads, classify examples, write leads.
Using an assignment sheet on Writing a News Article, previous articles on a topic, and a fake interview with a first hand observer (acting), students gather their own information on the 5Ws to write a news article with an effective headline, lead, and structure. Additional research from internet.
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Writing News Leads worksheet adapted from The Newspaper
Writing a News Article assignment sheet; Five Ws plus H worksheet; person to act for interview; previous articles on topic (Big Foot in Peawanuck)
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5. Writing Movie Reviews
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Show some samples of short Movie Reviews. Using a Writing a Movie Review assignment sheet and checklist discuss how to write a movie review (include discussion of presentation staging, equipment, imagination required, actors, scenes, characters, theme, emotions)
Watch two short films (less than 15 minutes each). and using blanks provided on the assignment sheet take notes. Write two short movie reviews (not all information must be included). Research information obtained from internet.
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Movie Reviews description sheet; Writing a Movie Review assignment sheet;
video of two short films
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6. Writing an Editorial
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Read an editorial article and answer comprehension questions on an Opinion Journalism Analysis worksheet.
Following an Writing an Editorial assignment sheet and checklist fill in the blanks to prepare to write a short editorial on a topic of student interest (examples: Big Foot is a hoax, Video games should be taught in school because they teach…). Research information obtained from internet.
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Opinion Journalism Analysis worksheet
Writing an Editorial assignment sheet adapted from The Newspaper
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7. Print Advertisements
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a. What is the message?
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Using newspapers or magazines, find four print ads, and complete an Analyzing Print Ads assignment sheet. It asks students to find the implicit and explicit message of the ad, and look at the formatting, and graphical elements.
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Analyzing Print Ads assignment sheet; large collection of newspapers and magazines
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b. Using electronic publishing techniques
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Complete two worksheets that develop skills in using publishing software Advanced Formatting in Microsoft Word, and Using Images in Microsoft Word.
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Advanced Formatting in Microsoft Word worksheet; Using Images in Microsoft Word worksheet
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c. Create a print advertisement
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Following an assignment sheet Create a Print Ad, generate an idea for a product, or identify an existing product to advertise. Name a company, and use the internet to find images to advertise the product. Create a colourful ad using advanced techniques in Microsoft Word.
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Create a Print Ad assignment sheet
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8. Assembling a Newspaper
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a. Front page layout
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Using a Front Page of the Newspaper description sheet, explain the elements required for creating a student newspaper (banner, ears, border, headlines, bylines, dateline, boxes, pictures, cutline).
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Front Page of the Newspaper description sheet
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b. Publish a newspaper
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Following the Publish a Newspaper assignment sheet, students work in pairs to design a front page with an original name for their newspaper. Using all their collected articles (news articles, editorials, movie reviews, and print ads) they assemble a coherent product. At least two images per student (obtained from the Internet) should be included. Colour may be used. Editing and revision process followed for all included media works.
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Publish a Newspaper assignment sheet; Self and Peer Editing Checklist
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9. Unit Review & Test
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Unit review.
Unit test with knowledge, application, and communication elements.
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Unit review sheet
Unit test
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