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Action Factor,  Inc.  presents the workshop for teachers and parents

Create a Classroom Newspaper with Desktop Publishing

Presenter:  Dr. Myrna R. Gifford

Workshop overview: Read all about it! Nothing motivates writers like having a personally meaningful purpose for writing. Through classroom newspapers, teachers can give their students practice in many modes of writing as they report on classroom projects, events, student-of-the week, assignments, hobbies, and more. Spelling words can be studied via class-made crossword puzzles and word scrambles. Research can be shared via feature articles. Calendars for classroom tests and assignments are easy to incorporate. Workshop participants learn techniques for assembling desktop publications with text and graphics, using popular computer programs. The result is a professional looking product that gives students pride of ownership.

Objectives of the presentation: Participants will learn a) how to organize a classroom newspaper to serve the needs and interests of students, parents, and teachers; b) how to use a classroom newspaper to build student writing skills in six modes of writing, and c) how to use basic desktop publishing programs to produce an attractive and effective classroom newspaper. Participants will receive a packet of ready-to-use activities that can be adapted to individual needs and curricula.

Format of the presentation: Workshop with audience participation. This is an interactive workshop where participants create sample articles, graphics, and special features using a computer and desktop publishing program of choice: i.e., MS Word, MS Publisher, Adobe PageMaker, or any other publishing program preferred by the hosting school or agency. In full-day workshops, participants create publications that can be modified, expanded, and printed over time.

Target age group: Grades 1-6.

Target audience: Classroom teachers, reading specialists, and administrators interested in improving the quality of student writing and promoting the dissemination of classroom information to parents and community members.

Brief summary of content:  The workshop begins with an examination of published newspapers, magazines, and promotional publications, highlighting the basics of graphic design, writing style, and publishing conventions. Next, participants will complete a checklist of features they wish to incorporate in their own classroom publication. After receiving group instruction in the creation and layout of the newspaper, participants will work with partners at computers to create templates for their publications. Finally, participants engage in the writing of articles or sample features that incorporate six modes of writing: narrative, persuasive, poetry, expository, journaling, and letter-writing. Publications can then be saved on computer disk and/or printed out during the workshop session.

To request a customized workshop at your location, please use our online form.