Journalism Introductory Packet By Mr. Marsala
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Journalism Syllabus

 

Dear Parents:

 

Below a reader will find a course description and objectives, supplies, grading policy, assessment, classroom expectations, and communication with the teacher.  All materials are available at my main page.  Few handouts will be given.   

 

Course Description and Objectives:

My students can attain success in this journalism class.  The student will be studying journalistic writing during this semester.  We will be covering news, feature, advice columns, and editorial writing plus interview technique.  When the semester is over, the student will be able to effectively write news articles.  The Madeline Hunter Process Model of Teaching  is used daily.  We also work in Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and Bloom’s Taxonomy.

 

 

Supplies:

 

The student will need the following:

 

The student will need the following: pens, pencils, paper, folder, highlighters, binder (to keep all writing in), and dividers (4).

 

Please place dividers in binder.  Label each 1st Quarter and 2nd Quarter.  At the end of the quarter, the binder should contain all writings a student creates for that quarter. 

 

These will be checked on Monday (Tuesday, if there is a holiday) of the second full week of school.

 

 

Grading Policy:

 

Grades are calculated on the board approved grading scale.

93-100 = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 70-72 = C-; 67-69 = D+; 63-66 = D; 60 – 62 = D-; 59 – Below = F.

 

There is no extra credit.

 

Assessment:

 

Tests are meant to be an accurate reflection of the curriculum objectives.  Make up work follows the school policy in the student/parent handbook.  A child must show his or her admit slip upon returning.  Once back, the student has the same number of days missed to make up assignments.  Please turn these assignments into the teacher. 

 

Late work receives a one-letter grade deduction per day late.   All students need to keep a weekly planner with all assignments written in it, and it will be checked from time-to-time. 

 

Writings

 

A multiple-choice pre-test will be given during the first week of class.  Then, there will be a post-test given to measure mastery of the material covered.  The students will show what they have learned through tests and writing.  With papers, the students will be given the following material: a rubric, a due date, and a location on the web site to use as a reference.  I will check their paper against the rubric, so students can earn a better grade.  In between the date the material was given and the due date, students may submit papers and have them evaluated without a penalty.  Once the paper is graded, if students are not happy with a grade, they may make corrections, and earn half of the lost points back.  Essentially, students choose their own grade. 

 

Why Do We Do This?   Since writing is a process, a key point in writing is revision.  Even great writers like Harper Lee rewrite hundreds of times.  By doing this, students are forced to revise, rewrite, and follow the process. 

 

Classroom Expectations and Guidelines:

 

Upon entering the room students are to get into an assigned seat, so I may take attendance.  If a student is not in his or her seat when the bell rings, he or she is late.  We will have assigned seats during the first quarter.  During the second, third, and fourth quarters, students may select seats.  The teacher reserves the right to change seats if necessary.  At the beginning of class, I will raise my right hand meaning class is beginning.  In addition, this signal will be used during the class to bring the class to attention for things like announcements.  When turning in or passing out an assignment, all paper work will be passed to the side. 

 

When entering, the students will need to open their journalism book, and they will have five minutes to work on a given assignment.  A typical week consists of introducing a topic on Monday.  On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we will be writing or reading.  On Fridays, we will take our tests.  A break down of the year is included.

 

Computer Lab Procedure:

 

A student may sit where he or she likes, but I reserve the right to change seats.  Also, a student may listen to music while typing provided it does not distract from finishing an assignment; also, he or she must have headphones.  A student may not listen to music without headphones.

   

SEMESTER BREAKDOWN FOR 2003 AND 2004

First Quarter

 

1.      The style book

2.     Publishing a newspaper

3.     News gathering

4.     The lead

5.     Interviewing/quotes

6.     News story

7.     Copy editing

8.     Headlines

 

Second Quarter

 

1.     News story

2.     Feature story

3.     Sports

4.     Editorial

5.     Advice column

6.     Layout/design

7.     Ethics

8.     Business of a newspaper

9.     Beyond a school paper

 

FINAL:

Test over above material.

 

Hall passes are available from me.  A bathroom pass will be given to a student once a week (unless there are extenuating circumstances).

 

All people in the room are expected to work together to ensure a safe environment.  If a student has a question, please raise a hand; also, if we are working in groups or if another student is presenting a project, a student is expected to stay on the educational objective.  In order to guarantee your child, and all the students in my classroom, the excellent learning climate they deserve, I am utilizing the following assertive discipline plan  starting today. 

 

Mr. Marsala’s Classroom Guideline

 

A student must work to reach the educational objective for each day. 

 

If a student chooses to breaks this guideline, the consequences are as follows:

 

First consequence: Verbal warning.

Second consequence: A talk with the teacher and a detention.

Third consequence: A call home and two detentions.

Fourth consequence: Parent/teacher conference.

Fifth consequence: An office referral.

 

The tardy policy follows the parent/student handbook.

 

Parent/Teacher Communication:

 

If we work together, the child will have a better chance at success.  Midterm and quarter notices will be sent and state a child’s progress.  Please feel free to call me at (440) 933-6290.  In addition, I have established an e-mail address at vmarsa@leeca.org.  The phone number and email address shown are for educational use only by parents/adults.  Student phone calls and/or emails will not receive a response at any time.  As with any email, I can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   

 

Disclaimer:

 

This is not meant to be all encompassing.  As the year progresses, there may be a need for additional assignments or modifications to expectations.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

Vincent Marsala

Teacher