Tuesday, May 31, 2011

News and Notes: 5.31.11

Assignment: This article about El Cerrito was published in the New York Times Bay Area Edition weekend before last.  It sparked something of a controversy in El Cerrito. Read the analysis from El Cerrito Patch.

In no more than one page, write a thoughtful response to the issues described. What is the problem and how could it have been avoided? What do you, as a high school journalist, need to keep in mind as you do reporting for your stories?

Use appropriately formal language, double space. Print out your assignment before you leave class and turn it in.

Friday, May 27, 2011

News and Notes: 5.27.11

Today is the last day to complete your Professional Development requirement for the quarter.

Tuesday, you have an in class assignment, do not be late for class.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

News and Notes: 5.26.11

Mr. Brown will be here to collect the registration forms and answer any questions you might have about the writing class.

All Professional Development must be completed by Friday, May 27. Be sure this is done in a timely manner.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

News and Notes: 5.25.11

Today is Career Day. There is a modified schedule. Please consult the board for times. This should be covered in the paper.

Don't forget:
  • Worknight is today! (This is also, unfortunately, the same night the ladies softball team goes to the playoffs!).
  • All Professional Development must be finished by Friday, May 27.
  • We have just three weeks of school left. A period your final is Monday, June 6 from 7:20-9:15 (it was either that or have you come in at 9:30 on the last day of school). Second period is all seniors so your final won't be held finals week.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

News and Notes: 5.24.11

Don't forget:
  • Worknight Wednesday, May 25. (This is also, unfortunately, the same night the ladies softball team goes to the playoffs!).
  • All Professional Development must be finished by Friday, May 27.
  • We have just three weeks of school left. A period your final is Monday, June 6 from 7:20-9:15 (it was either that or have you come in at 9:30 on the last day of school). Second period is all seniors so your final won't be held finals week.

Monday, May 23, 2011

News and Notes: 5.23.11

Congratulations to the first Miss Hercules, Domonique Jones! She was crowned at Saturday evening's event.

Don't forget:
  • Worknight Wednesday, May 25. (This is also, unfortunately, the same night the ladies softball team goes to the playoffs!).
  • All Professional Development must be finished by Friday, May 27.
  • We have just three weeks of school left. A period your final is Monday, June 6 from 7:20-9:15 (it was either that or have you come in at 9:30 on the last day of school). Second period is all seniors so your final won't be held finals week.

Friday, May 20, 2011

News and Notes: 5.20.11

Finish up your stories.

Complete your quarterly professional development. Don't forget it's due May 27. That's ONE week from today.

Worknight is May 25. If you have work to complete you are expected to be there.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

News and Notes: 5.19.11

Congratulations to Charles Gomez and Stefan Feurst who each took second place awards in the Journalism Education Association of Northern California Annual Contest. Charles was got the nod in the Yearbook Photo Illustration category while Stefan was acknowledged in the Newspaper Column Writing category. For a complete list of winners, click here.

Don't forget worknight is May 25. If your story and/or page isn't finished you should be there.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

News and Notes: 5.18.11

Mr. Brown will be here tomorrow to talk about the writing class he's offering through Contra Costa College. Give this opportunity SERIOUS consideration.

Worknight is May 25. If your story isn't done, you are expected to be there. 2011-2012 editors MUST be in attendance.

Senior layout editors: Your pages need to be complete and checked by the end of worknight since you are leaving for Grad Night. The paper must be sent off before you return, so you will not have a chance to work on it again. Please note that your page must be complete and checked (I know I'm repeating myself...this is a grade) before you leave worknight.

Monday, May 16, 2011

News and Notes: 5.16.11

The room will be closed during lunch this week except for the Intro to Journ meeting on Wednesday.

All stories need to be finished ASAP so they are ready for worknight on May 25.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

News and Notes: 5.12.11

If you are in second period AND were at the Every 15 Minutes program yesterday, please review yesterday's announcements and complete the assignment there.

If you are in A period and were taking an AP test yesterday, please do the same.

Second period will review their civics story ideas today.

Don't forget all Professional Development is due no later than May 27.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

News and Notes: 5.11.11

News you can use: First, Adobe has a deal for students on CS5.5. I know is LOOKS expensive, but it's really quite discounted. Also, Mashable has a great article on Best Practices for Media Companies on Facebook. Finally, at least one Education Ministry office in South Korea has found a novel solution to rising hemlines. Read the article and leave your comment below. Is this the way to handle short skirts? Why or why not? Leave the comment no later than the end of your class period today. Note: When leaving your comment, please remember to use professional language.

Don't forget all professional development is due no later than May 27. Don't delay. NewsU courses are highly recommended.

The room is CLOSED all week at lunch. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

News and Notes: 5.10.11

Room closed all week during BOTH lunches. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Don't forget that you must complete a professional development assignment by May 27. This is part of your quarter grade and will make a difference in the final outcome of the grade. Do NOT delay.


To review today's assignment:

The San Francisco Chronicle has reported that student knowledge of our democracy (civics) is on the decline. Read the article here.  If we were going to feature this topic in the Titan Template, how should it be packaged? You'd have a story, of course, but what else would go with it? What kind of photos? Sidebars? Where would you get the information?

Prepare a one-page report (that's ONE side of the paper) describing how you would use either one page or a double-truck (that's two facing pages) to feature this topic. Be specific. Include the angle for your story, which specific people you would interview on campus and off campus, what your sidebars and graphics would be (feel free to sketch it out if you need to include that), and the specific sources you will use for your research on the topic. Typed work is required. You may hand-draw your graphics if necessary. You may use "I" language (i.e. I would do this because...). You may not work with a partner. I am looking for YOUR creative thinking. This is due by the beginning of the period on Tuesday, May 10. A period students: if you come to class late, it needs to be in your hand when you walk through the door. Electronic copies are not acceptable for this assignment.

Monday, May 9, 2011

News and Notes: 5.9.11

Room closed all week during BOTH lunches. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Don't forget that you must complete a professional development assignment by May 27. This is part of your quarter grade and will make a difference in the final outcome of the grade. Do NOT delay. 

We have five weeks left of school. You will still have assignments to complete. In fact, please review and complete the assignment from last Friday. The due date is changed to TOMORROW.

The San Francisco Chronicle has reported that student knowledge of our democracy (civics) is on the decline. Read the article here.  If we were going to feature this topic in the Titan Template, how should it be packaged? You'd have a story, of course, but what else would go with it? What kind of photos? Sidebars? Where would you get the information?

Prepare a one-page report (that's ONE side of the paper) describing how you would use either one page or a double-truck (that's two facing pages) to feature this topic. Be specific. Include the angle for your story, which specific people you would interview on campus and off campus, what your sidebars and graphics would be (feel free to sketch it out if you need to include that), and the specific sources you will use for your research on the topic. Typed work is required. You may hand-draw your graphics if necessary. You may use "I" language (i.e. I would do this because...). You may not work with a partner. I am looking for YOUR creative thinking. This is due by the beginning of the period on Tuesday, May 10. A period students: if you come to class late, it needs to be in your hand when you walk through the door. Electronic copies are not acceptable for this assignment.

Friday, May 6, 2011

News and Notes: 5.6.11

The San Francisco Chronicle has reported that student knowledge of our democracy (civics) is on the decline. Read the article here.  If we were going to feature this topic in the Titan Template, how should it be packaged? You'd have a story, of course, but what else would go with it? What kind of photos? Sidebars? Where would you get the information?

Prepare a one-page report (that's ONE side of the paper) describing how you would use either one page or a double-truck (that's two facing pages) to feature this topic. Be specific. Include the angle for your story, which specific people you would interview on campus and off campus, what your sidebars and graphics would be (feel free to sketch it out if you need to include that), and the specific sources you will use for your research on the topic. Typed work is required. You may hand-draw your graphics if necessary. You may use "I" language (i.e. I would do this because...). You may not work with a partner. I am looking for YOUR creative thinking. This is due by the beginning of the period on Monday, May 9. A period students: if you come to class late, it needs to be in your hand when you walk through the door. Electronic copies are not acceptable for this assignment.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Mark your calendars:
  1. May 18: Introduction to Journalism during both lunches. Your editors for 2011-2012 will be meeting with potential recruits for staff next year. Come in and help spread the word.
  2. May 25: Work night. Be there or be square.
  3. Final: (A period)We will have to set a date for your final since it's scheduled for the morning of the last day of school.  We can either meet after school for two days (2:30-3:30) OR two mornings before school (8:20-9:20). Your final assignment for the year will be an intense discussion and planning session. Let me know your druthers (which you prefer) on time.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

News and Notes: 5.5.11

It's Cinco de Mayo! So, what exactly is that, anyway? Put the answer on a post-it note and put the note (with your name on it) on the door behind Wojo's desk. INCLUDE your source on the post-it note.

Mark your calendars:
  1. May 18: Introduction to Journalism during both lunches. Your editors for 2011-2012 will be meeting with potential recruits for staff next year. Come in and help spread the word.
  2. May 25: Work night. Be there or be square.
  3. Final: (A period)We will have to set a date for your final since it's scheduled for the morning of the last day of school.  We can either meet after school for two days (2:30-3:30) OR two mornings before school (8:20-9:20). Your final assignment for the year will be an intense discussion and planning session. Let me know your druthers (which you prefer) on time.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

News and Notes: 5.4.11 Star Wars Day

Why is it Star Wars Day? Find the answer, write it on a post-it note and post the note (with your name on it) to the door behind Wojo's desk. Because of testing, this offer applies only to A period staffers.

Please keep your ear to the ground about stories on campus (i.e. Merit Scholars announced yesterday). You might find that a new story will bump an older one from the paper.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

News and Notes: 5.3.11

Stories should be finishing up for the May/June issue. Make sure you are caught up with your edits.

Worknight is May 25. That's a Wednesday. We will begin immediately after school.

Editors for 2011-2012: Don't forget we have a lunch meeting immediately after testing tomorrow.

Monday, May 2, 2011

News and Notes: 5.2.11

How is Osama bin Laden's death being covered? Check out these sites to see what is being said around the world:
  1. Newsmap
  2. The World's Front Pages from Newseum (click on the thumbnails to see them better)
  3. Look at PCWorld's article on the Google Maps, Twitter and Facebook
  4. Check out the Twitter Timeline from the White House
  5. Poll: How did you hear about bin Laden's death? Vote in the poll, then look at the results.
Now that you've looked at several articles and features about the event AND the coverage of the event, start thinking about what it means. What can we learn about news coverage from this event? What are the positives and negatives of this coverage? What do people need to know about the coverage of breaking news events?


A period will have a discussion on this topic. First period has a guest speaker. Second period, we will have this discussion once the guest speaker leaves.