The Journalism & Yearbook Project
Introduction
The Journalism and Yearbook project really allowed the children show what they had learned. Every week there was a chosen theme such as Rescue Services: a member of the rescue services would give a talk or demonstration their work and the children had to write a brief report at the end. Every report was complied with photos of each workshop and presented in a yearbook. The yearbook is a great archive of the children, events and the year.
It proved to be extremely successful in getting children to develop their reading and writing. A project such as this is a tremendous way to harness their creativity. We began the project in September finishing in May. The group met for two hours once a week. All the necessary equipment was supplied by the invited speakers. All the children needed were pencil and paper.
These wonderful speakers would give a work shop on their chosen subject for about an hour. Then the children put their journalistic skill to work and reported on what they had learned. There were some marvellous honest reports that only a child could write.This project introduces children to a large number of new subjects.
The great advantage is that you can choose any theme you like.
Weekly themes
Week One
Become a Journalist
Week Two
Defence Forces
Week Three
Media Moguls
Week Four
Specialised Sports
Week Five
The Rescue Services
Week Six
Entertainment
Week Seven
Environment/Biodiversity
Week Eight
Disability
Week Nine
History & Heritage
Week Ten
Science & Engineering
Week Eleven
Energy
Week Twelve
Interview a famous person
This project is very cost effective as the only issue to budget for will be the printing of the yearbook.
There will be a tutor cost to teach the children how to report and I would advise that this tutor come back at the time of editing as this will save you quite a bit at the printers.We had a wonderful lady who was an author and publisher. She gave the children great confidence.
The project ended with a book launch. The book comprised of all the children’s short stories in one book, this book included the children’s own art work. This is the best way to end the project and it gives the children something to bring home. It is a lovely showcase of children’s work and a nice local media piece.
Remember
- Get a very good tutor who has plenty of experience working with children to teach them on week one.
- Think carefully about the theme you pick for each week. Contact an organisation and see if they have an education officer who is used to giving talks or workshops. If the speaker is not good, the children will not hesitate to put pencil to paper about it.
- Look at the printing costs. Colour, size of the book and other factors can add up.
- Watch out for the next great writer who someday will be writing the daily column, reporting from foreign lands or running a media empire.
The Journalism and Yearbook project really allowed the children show what they had learned. Every week there was a chosen theme such as Rescue Services: a member of the rescue services would give a talk or demonstration their work and the children had to write a brief report at the end. Every report was complied with photos of each workshop and presented in a yearbook. The yearbook is a great archive of the children, events and the year.
Weekly themes
| Week One | Become a Journalist |
| Week Two | Defence Forces |
| Week Three | Media Moguls |
| Week Four | Specialised Sports |
| Week Five | The Rescue Services |
| Week Six | Entertainment |
| Week Seven | Environment/Biodiversity |
| Week Eight | Disability |
| Week Nine | History & Heritage |
| Week Ten | Science & Engineering |
| Week Eleven | Energy |
| Week Twelve | Interview a famous person |
This project is very cost effective as the only issue to budget for will be the printing of the yearbook.
There will be a tutor cost to teach the children how to report and I would advise that this tutor come back at the time of editing as this will save you quite a bit at the printers.We had a wonderful lady who was an author and publisher. She gave the children great confidence.
The project ended with a book launch. The book comprised of all the children’s short stories in one book, this book included the children’s own art work. This is the best way to end the project and it gives the children something to bring home. It is a lovely showcase of children’s work and a nice local media piece.
Remember
- Get a very good tutor who has plenty of experience working with children to teach them on week one.
- Think carefully about the theme you pick for each week. Contact an organisation and see if they have an education officer who is used to giving talks or workshops. If the speaker is not good, the children will not hesitate to put pencil to paper about it.
- Look at the printing costs. Colour, size of the book and other factors can add up.
- Watch out for the next great writer who someday will be writing the daily column, reporting from foreign lands or running a media empire.
