Middle M/J Journalism 1

Segment One

• learning what journalism is
• learning about the varied careers in journalism
• exploring how journalism has changed over time
• exploring the laws and ethical obligations in journalism
• learning about the First Amendment
• exploring the media’s role in the world
• exploring tools journalists to impact their audience
• reviewing types of sources
• determining source credibility and bias
• exploring word etymology
• using context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases
• engaging in discussions while using active listening skills
• comparing and contrasting different authors’ perspectives on the same topic
• identifying the central ideas of texts
• using text features and sections to help with understanding
• integrating digital media to enhance audience engagement
• paraphrasing
• identifying the role tone plays in a text

 

Segment Two

• using learned management tools to be an effective journalist
• writing a quality article
• identifying how text features and sections can enhance an article
• identifying hard news and soft news
• understanding how audience impacts a journalistic approach
• conducting responsible research
• revising and editing
• interviewing skills
• writing newscasts for radio and television
• incorporating digital media into work
• writing narratives
• incorporating figurative language into written work
• identifying and using narrative techniques
• understanding proper oral presentation techniques
• developing and supporting a claim
• identifying author’s purpose
• identifying logical fallacies
• using logical reasoning in writing
• writing an op-ed based on research
• identifying and employing rhetorical appeals
• engaging in discussions while using active listening skills

A computer with access to a word processing program. 

Besides engaging students in challenging curriculum, the course guides students to reflect on their learning and evaluate their progress through a variety of assessments. Assessments can be in the form of practice lessons, multiple choice questions, writing assignments, projects, research papers, oral assessments, and discussions. This course will use the state-approved grading scale. Each course contains a mandatory final exam or culminating project that will be weighted at 20% of the student’s overall grade.***

***Proctored exams can be requested by FLVS at any time and for any reason in an effort to ensure academic integrity. When taking the exam to assess a student’s integrity, the exam must be passed with at least a 59.5% in order to earn credit for the course.  

To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers; the minimum requirement is monthly. When teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.