Creating Class Newsletters
This ICT starter idea written by teachers, for teachers, describes
how a teacher could use learning technologies to produce class newsletters
with students.
Teacher's role
To work as a facilitator by:
- gathering examples of brochures, newsletters, magazine pages etc to supplement student collections;
- determining appropriate curriculum links;
- determining criteria for teacher assessment to be shared with students at beginning of the process;
- assessing achievement at appropriate stages of the process;
- providing support and feedback to students throughout the process;
- conferencing with students at all stages of the process.
Resources
- Digital or video camera and/or scanner
- Word/draw software (computer)
- Printer
- Optional disks or network
- Students' visual images created in associated software, for example, KidPix, Photoshop
Suggested process
- Students and teachers gather examples of brochures and newsletters,
and consider their layout and design.
- Students are immersed in examples of newsletters / brochures.
- Students and teacher determine audience, for example, school
community, families and/or members of boards of trustees.
- From examples, create a rubric / checklist / list of criteria
for a quality newsletter (this could be a quick 10 - 20 minute
process or extended over a longer period).
- Students brainstorm ideas for content of newsletter, then select
suitable ideas.
- Create an action plan for creating the newsletter - allocate
students jobs to complete, and establishe a timeframe to work
within, for example, collecting and organising graphics, creating
a title, writing text, editing text, layout.
- Complete jobs/tasks – create newsletter.
- Students evaluate their creation in relation to criteria for
a quality newsletter, explain their process, then make any changes
needed.
- Students evaluate work again.
- Share creation with audience and gather feedback.
- Students evaluate process against criteria, make changes to
criteria, then set goals for next time.
Next stage
- Students work cooperatively to create one newsletter.
- Students create a newsletter of their own - could be timetabled throughout
the year to ensure equity.
Author
Viki Lawrence vikil@tahatai.school.nz
Donna Broker donnab@tahatai.school.nz
Vanessa McArthur vanessam@tahatai.school.nz
Sally Smart sallys@mmc.school.nz
September 2000
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