Real World Journalism in a Middle School

Real world education is what I call projects like that school paper. With most education occurring in a vacuum, students are hungry for something that feels like and prepares them for the real world. Rather than writing dull themes for English teachers who will read it over and mark a letter grade in red pen, these students wrote for others to read and enjoy. They also discovered the power of the written word, how it can produce something tangible, like a new traffic light.

I learned to really appreciate these kids, not at passive learners in rows with either their hands up or their heads down, but as individuals with ideas, passions and curiosity.  We were a team. I was the publisher, and they were my editors, reporters, photographers and sales staff. We worked together for a common goal, and we all knew that success depended upon each of us.

In this age of declining print media, we need more than ever a generation of writers who love the printed word and who are willing to go find that story and respect deadlines.

I expect that some of these kids will earn a living one day as a writer, but even those who never write for publication again have come away with something they can use for life. They know what they can accomplish as individuals and as a team. More than that, they know they can make a difference, can have to power to make things happen, can shape their futures rather than being swept up in them.

One of the most rewarding moments of my middle school publishing career was when I brought a copy of our local paper to one of my reporters, along with $25. I was standing in front of the tiny shack she shared with her parents and four siblings, as she handled the money and smiled at her name below the story. I knew then and there I’d made a difference.

This can be replicated almost anywhere. The only real expense is for a part time journalism teacher, perhaps someone who works at the local paper during the day.

The printing, student pay, treats and even the digital cameras can come from ads from local businesses that are happy to do something to support their local school. Every school has a computer room with word processing programs. Some even have In Design for doing the layout. If not, the teacher/publisher would have to have some desktop publishing program. I’ve used Quark for years and am used to it, but there are adequate  programs that are inexpensive and even free. Perhaps one could get really lucky and find a student who is anxious to learn layout work, the most time consuming task for the teacher.

I’ll always remember my students, and I suspect they’ll always remember me. We sat down together once and proved that yes we can do something outstanding.