Formatives are in-class activities designed to learn and practice new skills. This might be generating different kinds of interview questions, showing proficiency using recording equipment or mastering different camera angles. What is produced for a formative isn't necessarily meant to be published. Formatives may also be class collaborations in brainstorming, notes, or editing sessions

These are worth 30%.

Mini-projects may be in-class, on-campus or off-campus projects designed to capture a story. This may be an interview that turns into an article, or a series of photographs that turn into a photostory or research that turns into an op-ed. The goal is for these to be "polished" and published though this ultimately depends on the timelieness and quality of content. 

These are worth 70%.

Publication is the icing on the cake! An achieving journalist will be able to take the lead on and contribute 4-6 articles, photos, videos or final edits on deadline by the end of the semester. A progressing journalist will contribute 2-3 and a developing journalist will contribute 1-2 with strong support from peers or teachers to produce content ready for publication.

Classroom Norms & Procedures

• Sign In/Out: Students must ask permission to the leave the classroom (bathroom, nurse). Sign-out is via the classroom kiosk.

• Lockers: All bags/backpacks are to be kept in lockers. Students will not be able to visit lockers during the class period.

• Food/drink: In general, only water bottles with sealable lids are allowed in class (no food), but special protocol will be followed on publication celebration days.

• Cell phones: Cell phones are to remain in lockers during the school day.  Any phones in class will be brought to the office.

• Cheating, Plagiarism & AI: Turning in work that is not your own will result in a 0: insufficient evidence.

•  Respect: Bullying, belittling, degrading, discriminatory and disruptive language and actions are not tolerated.

Daily Supplies

• Composition notebook (supplied by the school and kept in the classroom)

• Two-pocket folder

• School-issued chromebook 

• Charging cord

•  Pencils 

• Earbuds or headphones

• Independent reading book

• Optional: glue stick, scissors, colored pencils, highlighters, post-it notes, tissues

• If you are having technical difficulties with your chromebook, use the classroom chromebook to submit a help ticket. You will be expected to complete assignments on paper while you wait for assistance. 

• Students will also use the following equipment with parent permission: mics, digital cameras, iPads, tripods.

Online Learning Platforms

• Google Classroom

• Quizlet

• Blooket

• Kahoot

• Google Vids

• Adobe

Homework???

• Not exactly, BUT...

• Some students may choose to complete an off-campus story.

• If you are absent, it is expected that you check Google Classroom and complete what you missed.

Meet Tortilla, a wonderfully lazy cat with thumbs.