Mr. Weiss - Journalism II - Faculty Advisor

Comment back to Alex’s most recent post!

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following Article: http://www.miamiherald.com/political-currents/story/539597.html
2. List all the people who were interview for the story - and their titles.
3. Does anyone want to try to cover the fundraisers in Miami Beach?

Today, students will:

1. Section editors, Alex and Josh.  We need to get everything edited today.  We are staying after school today to do final edits and layout.
2. Photographers: All photos / graphics need to be done today.  Same reason.
3. Staff writers:  Here are some ideas: Awards ceremonies, End of Year Banquets, possible end of DROP, center spread pieces, Senior Obligations, undercover tobacco / alcohol sales.

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Check what you have handed in against the commitments you have made for the fourth quarter.  Contact me if you are not on track to complete your commitments, so you can pick up an extra article.

Miriam - I have your recommendation letter in room 423 where I am proctoring the Art History AP.  Please stop by during class to pick it up.

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following article from the Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/532780.html
2. What angle would you use for this story if you were going to write it as a news story for The Beachcomber?
3. Make a list of 4 people you would interview for this article, with 3 questions you would ask each person.
4. Write the lead you would use for this story.
5. Roberta - do you think we should include this story in our final issue?  If so, assign it to a J1 or J2 staff writer.

Today, students will:

1. Finalize notes and quotes.
2. Finish second round final drafts.
3. Begin second round reflection pieces.

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Prewrites, first drafts, final drafts, notes and quotes, and reflection pieces for second round articles are due Friday.

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following New Times article: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-05-01/news/failed-school/
2. Would you categorize this piece as news or features?  Why?
3. Is this piece objective?  Why or why not?
4. Could you envision a similar story at Beach High?  Why or why not?

Today, students will:

1. Prewrite, First and Final Drafts, Notes and Reflections are due for your second article this Friday.  Coordinate with the appropriate section editors - Josh, get me a tally of who is writing what.
2. Editors: please do as much editing as possible today and contact your writers so they know what to do tomorrow in my class.  J1 Final drafts are due Thursday. 
3. Corina - pull up the relevant forms and call me over.

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Articles due Friday

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following article in the Miami New Times: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-05-08/news/blowing-up/
2. Is there some sort of similar school-wide research we could conduct for an article in the Beachcomber?

Today, students will:

1. Writers: work on individual articles - let’s check in for status.
2. Photographers need to have photos for A list articles on their blogs by Friday afternoon.
3. Editors should already have passed on round one edits to Alex or Josh.  If this is not done, it must be done today.
4. Alex / Josh: I want your FINAL edits to me by Monday morning.  See me for guidance / feedback
5. Corina: we need an invoice from SPR for our last issue.  We have 1093 in the bank.  Get quotes for various print runs today.  Also, you need to turn in your receipt book and take care of some paperwork.
6. Editors: communicate with your writers!

Tonight’s homework is:

1. See above.

NOTE: EVERYONE MUST HAVE 1/2 OF THEIR CLASS RESPONSIBILITIES COMPLETED BY THE END OF FRIDAY (SEE ME IF YOU NEED CLARIFICATION).  I NEED TO HAVE MIDMARKING GRADES DONE EARLY NEXT WEEK, AND IF I DON’T HAVE YOUR WORK YOU WILL NOT LIKE YOUR GRADE!

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following article in yesterday’s Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/513235.html
2. Comment back your thoughts vis a vis our upcoming center spread - what parts, if any, would interest out readers?

Today, students will:

1. Section editors: I need your A and B lists up immediately.
2. Section editors: Here is a list of article ideas, and who is doing what:

NEWS
Burned Temple (unassigned)
F.B.L.A. trip (unassigned)
New Autistic law (unassigned)
Anti Bullying Bill - Vanessa
Prom Night / afterparties - Amanda

OPINION
Con uniforms - Daniella
Mylie Syrus controversy - Ines
Mortgage Crisis (unassigned)
Jonas Bros are ruining America(pro - Stephanie. con - Joselyn)

SPORTS
rowing team - Joselyn

FEATURES
Peace garden comm. service - Maria
Intern guy - Blanca
High school stress sucks - Oscar
People that get accepted to good colleges (unassigned)

A&E

chapter 27 movie ( unassigned)

Kanye concert - Joselyn
New york trip (unassigned)
Rock the vote concert (unassigned)
Sweeny todd play - Amalia
Panic at the disco concert - Nathalie
Iron Man movie - Carlos

1. Section editors: Assign the unassigned ideas to J1 and J2 students.  Post the results on your blog
2. J2 students - claim unassigned articles on the list or come up with your own ideas, in consultation with the section  editors.
3. Josh / Alex - make an umbrella A / B list and a master list of upcoming articles.
4. Photographers - take pictures for all A list articles

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Section Editors - edited A list articles due tonight and notify Alex.
2. Photographers - photos for A list articles due Friday at the end of class on your blogs.
3. Others - 1/2 of your class resposibilities MUST be completed by the end of this weke for midmarking grades (see me if you need clarification).

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following article in the Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/511649.html
2. Read some of the blog dicsussed in the article: http://www.desdecuba.com/generationy/
3. Discuss: How are blogs different from traditional print journalism?
4. What is the role of blogs and print journalism in a democracy, and is there a difference under non-democratic conditions?

Today, students will:

1. Journalism I articles should almost all be online and in tackleboxes. Section editors, make your A and B lists, and revise the articles in your A list by Wednesday.
2. Brainstorm new article ideas for J1 tomorrow.
3. Finish individual articles.

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Round 2 articles are due in 3 weeks.

Please Do Now:

1. Read the following NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/us/politics/19class.html?ref=education
2. Make a list of the people who are quoted.  How do you think this author reported this story?  Who did he talk to and in what context?

Today, students will:

1. Section Editors: EDIT FIRST DRAFTS IMMEDIATELY AND LEAVE NOTES FOR WRITERS!
2. Work on individual articles and tasks.

Tongiht’s homework is:

1. Final drafts due Monday.

Please Do Now:

I am thinking about budget cut ramifications as a possible center spread for our final issue this year.  Please read the following materials and comment back to this post with 5 ideas for short pieces in the center spread.

1. http://superintendent.dadeschools.net/default_news.asp?id=61
2. http://superintendent.dadeschools.net/pdf/TentativeBudgetCuts2008-09.pdf
3. http://www.theledger.com/article/20080413/NEWS/804130453/1039

Today, students will:

1. Section editors: review those students who did not submit planners yet, or whose planners needed improvement.  Check their progress, leave them a note on the board, and alert me and Alex of any changes.
2. Photographers: You should be taking pictures now for the first round of articles.
3. Everyone else: Firm up your topic for your own individual article and finish your planner by the end of today.

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Article first drafts due by the end of class Friday.