Part of what I now do is social media management for companies, including a large hospital in Houston. So, you can imagine that during this crazy time of COVID-19 quarantine, things have been BUSY to say the least.
But I still have one foot in the journalism world and my heart is aching for you advisers.
I want to help. While I wish I could reach right through my Zoom screen and hug you, I’m taking #socialdistancing seriously and staying my butt at home.
I hope this can be a resource to you, to take one thing off your plate. Here are at least a few ideas to get you going for lessons for your journalism classes. I’ll add more as I think of them – but if you’re doing something awesome, pleaseplease email me [email protected] and I’ll add it (with credit, of course!)
The most obvious way to engage with beginner students is for them to practice. Have them write stories “covering” their experience.
Break up a project into multiple assignments to chunk the work over time – and create multiple grades.
Write an article with quotes from your family and friends about your experience. Have them pick a specific angle to focus on, and have them pick a new topic for each assignment.
Copy and paste this list straight to your assignment page!
Write an article detailing a specific opinion regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Have them pick a specific angle to focus on, and have them pick a new topic for each
Copy and paste this list straight to your assignment page!
If this is an intro class or pre-req for the publications staffs, this is a great time to teach them the basics about the publications at your school.
They can learn about layout and design, the production process, typography, color theory, page design, photography.
Just because this is a journalism class and the whole point of the class is to learn to how to report on the world around them, it doesn’t mean you HAVE to relate every assignment back to the current events. Although, that’s probably easier on you, your kiddos might need a break from the news.
Using the list above to introduce new concepts, have them create a project on a topic they choose. Give them some prompt ideas so they know it’s OK to choose something “fun.”
Alright, I’ll be honest. This is a cop out. There is very little educational activity going on here, other than an exercise in creative thinking. But – it gives them something to do and it’s photography related. I used it use it as a plan for a sub… you could also take one prompt a day for an on-going activity. #easy
Feature some exceptional submissions for a little props and encouragement.
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Using your cell phone, they find a way to capture the following prompts in the most creative way possible. Think about what each prompt could mean literally and figuratively. If you can’t think of something creative to use as your subject, make an ordinary subject interesting by shooting it with a unique angle. I gave you some examples of things to think about for the first few examples.
Make sure ALL of your photos are all well-lit and in focus.
This is a super simple assignment I use to “test” their behavior outside of class on a shooting day. It’s very quick, so I am
Adapted from “Staple City” assignment from Sara Gonzales [Houston, TX]
Instruct your kids to build a “city” using the materials they have at home and photograph it. They can then use these photos to create a brochure or create “social media posts” to advertise the city for tourism promotion.
Below are examples using staples, but given the circumstances, I’d encourage them to use whatever they have available. Imagine a city made entirely out of fruit or something! Haha
I can almost guarantee this won’t be their favorite, but if you get desperate…
They are to research a job related to the field of Photojournalism and do a short presentation. I had them present their project AS that profession as if they were a guest speaker. You could probably still do this via Zoom – and maybe encourage them to dress up, try out an accept, change their virtual background, etc.
I would probably also relax the industry requirement and allow anything journalism/media related.
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Select one of the following careers (or select of your own) and answer the 10 questions that follow with a Google Slides presentation. Answers should each be in 1-2 complete sentences.
Use the internet to research everything you can about your new job. Present the following information to the class, acting as the profession, as if you’re a guest speaker.
Jobs:
Questions:
Seems like a no-brainer here. Most of the school newspapers seem to be covering the COVID-19 pandemic, but instead of printing publications, they’ve simply converted to online media. This is FABULOUS and allows them to be the news source for their peers. Honestly – what better way to learn journalistic principles than by doing it in circumstances such as this?
This is a great time to optimize your website and engage on social media with your student body.
School Newspapers Online has a WONDERFUL guide for building your school news website. Task out these additions to your staff and get your website looking snazzy – you’ll probably see some spikes in traffic as you start to publish articles, so it’s gotta be good!
You can also use the list under the Journalism 1 section above as some ideas for things to cover. And heck, if your J1 kids write some good stuff, throw that on your website, too! They get a byline they can share out and the kudos. I’m sure your admin will be amazed that you’re still cranking out news pieces, too. Win-win-win.
I wish I had a way to really help with this one, folks. But unfortunately, I don’t. My advice is to get with your publisher and make a plan. I know that many plants are closed due to government restrictions, and honestly – that’s a good thing. We don’t need to risk lives for yearbooks. It will be okay – they will be late, but everyone will understand. If there’s anything spreading around faster than coronavirus right now – it’s grace. Give yourself some and know that in the end, it all WILL be okay.
Talk with your rep about how to finish if you haven’t already, get proofs sent to your house, host video meetings with your editors and staff, discuss distribution plans, and then take a deep breath and eat that elephant one bite at a time.
I’ve heard some advisers are getting books sent to their house. I’ll be honest, I don’t really understand this – as schools WILL reopen eventually. If you have a legit reason – please share! I seriously would love to know why. I think it’s important to remember this is a temporary season and your home is your HOME. Right now, it’s both, I know, but there is no need to get the books delivered to your house. And consider the liability – what happens if you run your car into them? Or a fire? Obviously I hope that doesn’t happen! But consider the possibility… I suggest you just get them sent to the school. Distribute when you can, how you can. Again – it will all be okay.
If you’re able to handpick your staff, a detailed application is a great way to screen candidates. With your application process, you are looking to
HA! I know – but hear me out!
It’s a great distraction from the current events, and this is the FUN STAGE! Ideas run wild, creativity is high, and boredom can lead to some really great content!
Under normal circumstances, after the book is done, I assign a “theme packet” for next year’s book to everyone who isn’t a senior. No reason to stop now – there will still be a yearbook next year, right? Only difference is they present their ideas via video chat. Then, the staff votes on the best one and that become the theme for next year’s book!
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You are going to create a theme packet for next year’s yearbook. Plan on a 5-10 minute presentation to pitch your idea to the class. Don’t reinvent the wheel – use old yearbooks, the internet, etc to find ideas you can recreate. They’ll become your own when you incorporate your own theme, so feel free to “borrow” ideas from what’s been done already! There are SO many cool designs out there!
Take your time and create something you’re proud of.
REQUIREMENTS