Lesley Valencia-Email: Valencia_L@aps.edu
Room C-16
897-0110 ext. 40090
DESCRIPTION
The Journalism/Newspaper class will produce The Golden Word, the student newspaper for Cibola High School on our website, thegoldenword.org. Journalism students will report on school and community events and learn to write news and sports stories, as well as opinion pieces, feature stories, and columns. During the year, the students will study journalistic writing techniques, digital photography, elements of design, editing digital images in Photoshop, and web design. Opportunities for leadership positions will be available to serve as section editors for the publication. Students will be required to communicate with other students, teachers, coaches, administration, and community members via email or phone calls to conduct interviews and report on stories and must meet deadlines. Class size will be limited. Students may take class more than once.
MATERIALS/SUPPLIES/COMPUTER & CAMERA USAGE:
Paper, pen/pencil, notebook. Google gmail account, computer access.
Class policy:
GRADING
Grades are earned in the following categories and assignment point totals reflect the degree of difficulty for each activity.
Daily Work-assignments such as political cartoon analysis, current events, note taking,
Tests/Quizzes-as needed to demonstrate mastery of journalistic skills and ethics.
Professional Effort-working, participating and meeting deadlines. It is essential that students manage their workload as many assignments must be completed outside of class time (interviews, photography, events coverage, and more). Other assignments require students to contribute to group productivity and complete their specific task as part of a reporting/publications team.
ABSENCE/MAKEUP
It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher outside of class time to receive work missed due to absence. Late work will NOT be accepted.
CLASS POLICIES
• Students are expected to adhere to professional standards when interacting with other journalists and with all sources students are contacting for interviews, background, and research when reporting.
• Students are expected to work with editors respectfully; editors are expected to demonstrate positive leadership at all times.
• Students represent The Golden Word and Cibola High School. Outstanding behavior is expected when exercising reporting duties at school, at sports and arts venues, and out in the community.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If I find that you have used another’s work, whether it’s another student, something off the Internet that you have not cited, or any other source, you will receive a zero on the assignment. I will be randomly checking papers and assignments to make sure this does not happen! Remember, plagiarism is against the law—don’t do it.
TEACHER INFORMATION
Mrs. Valencia can be reached via email at Valencia_l@aps.edu, or by messaging me in our Google Classroom.
Staff Contract: The Golden Word
Philosophy: This class is an elective, which means that it should really bring out the creativity and drive in all students who participate. A good work ethic and participation is expected to succeed in class.
It can be clear to the parent and student him/herself, for a student who is not progressing, that the participation and effort are lacking in some way. Overall though, I hope that this class will provide a hard working, fun atmosphere for each student.
Daily Expectations: I expect each student to be in class, on time, each day. Class is run on participation, so if a student is gone, they will not be able to just do homework to catch up.
I also expect that students give their best effort each day. With an online publication, there will always be something to work on or update. Students should come to class ready to work, create, and help.
Grading: Students will be graded on meeting deadlines in writing, photography, and design assignments, and participation. Students will also be graded on the quality of work they produce.
Staff Positions: Some students will hold positions of responsibility. This will include, but is not limited to, section editors for Sports, News, Opinions, Clubs, Student Life; Online Editor. Students who are editors will have the final responsibility for ensuring that their section is complete.