Current Events / Global Issues
Woodland Park High School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My philosophy is, "Any student who shows EFFORT will do well in my class." My method is to assign a small amount of homework nearly every class, which I estimate will take 15 - 20 min. to complete. This provides the basic information for the next day's lesson. All homework and tests must be made up if class is missed. For unexcused absence or CUT the student wil receive a zero for assignments done that day. Class rules are designed by the students in a class Honor Code.
 |
|
This site is published for the benefit of my students and my fellow teachers. No advertisements or banners are found on this site and this site does not endores any private company, cause or belief other than the belief that the proper education of our youth is the key to our future. |
Parents,
The
study of Currents Issues is both fun and important. Using all types
of media (Newspaper, Magazines, Radio, Television, movies) we will develop
ideas and opinions that shaper personal choices, our community, and nation.
Sometimes, in the process of discovering and developing our ideas and opinions
we find that there are no “Clear” or “Right” answers. Perhaps the
most important goal of this class is to help the student develop skills
and knowledge necessary to interpret events and make informed decisions.
Students will develop the ability to identify bias in news articles and
correctly interprete news event from what is fact and what is opinion.
This class
will use presentations, debates, discussions, and writing to help achieve
the goal of becoming informed citizens. In addition to staying
on top of “the news,” we will look into the history of some issues,
distinguish fact from opinion, and be able to interpret the different parts
or sections of the paper. With this in mind, please note that discussions
will play a large roles in this class. Everyone will have a voice
in the class.
Grades will be determined based
on the following items:
- Journal Entries
- Participation in class discussions.
- Participation in group Activities:
Debates, Dub'P Enquirer, Recorded newscast
- Essays on International, national,
State, or Local news. (one each term)
- Homework: Based upon issues
found in the news.
- Weekend news quiz: Anytime
there is class on Monday a short quiz on news events that happend over
the weekend.
- Vocabulary quiz: Semester
1: Print Journalism terms Semester
2: Broadcast Journalism terms
- Final exam: Based on journalism
terms and news events that took place during that semester.
Essays: 3-5 pages which trace
one issue (national, state, local) throughout the term. You
will be responsible for collecting
articles on the issue, following its progress, and indicating how it affects
you and the community.
Editorial/Opinion Article:
2 pages which will analyze an event and develop your own opinion on the
article where you take a stand and defend your ideas with facts.
If your son / daughter begins
to have problems with the school work or has a discipline problem, I will
contact you to discuss this. If the problem continues, I will request
that we meet face to face, along with the student to resolve the problem.
If you have any questions or concerns during the school year, please send
a note through your son / daughter or call the school at 686-2067 and leave
me a message.
Please be assured that the success
of your son / daughter is my highest priority. Together we can provide
the best learning experience possible.
Thank you for your help & cooperation
Larry C. Ingram, ME, USN-Ret
Top of Page
Day 1
Introduction,
Syllabus, ,Academic expectations, Classroom Standards
Day 2
Demonstration
of how to do Homework, Quarter projects, Honor Code, Class officers
Reading the
Newspaper
The school
provides newspapers for this class. Students will develop the ability
to quickly read the newspaper, understand the information contained in
it, identify articles that are biased, articles that are based on fact
and articles that are based upon opinion.
CNN New Broadcast
CNN Provides
a 10 minute news broadcast specifically designed for students. The
information found in this broadcast will be used in many ways. From
promts for class discussions, journal entries, short quizes.
Weekend News
Test
Anytime there
is a class on Monday there will be a short quiz on news events that took
place over the weekend. Students may take notes and use them for
the quiz.
Journal entries
Students
will develop an informa journal. Entries will be based upon events
in the news with a focus on the students opinion on the events.
All entries
will be half page. Each entry will be graded on a scale of
1 - 10.
When the
student has completed ten entries, the points for those ten entries will
be added up and will count as a major test.
Vocabulary
Words
1st Semester
will focus on print journalism. Students will need to know 60 vocabulary
words that are commonly found in print journalism.
2nd Semester
will focus on broadcast journalism. Students will need to know 60
vocabulary words that are commonly found in Broadcast journalism.
The students
will be quized once a week. The first quiz will be over the first
ten words, Second quiz over the first 20 words, Third quiz over the first
30 words, following this method until all words are quized.
Issue Homework
assignments
Students
will occasionally be assigned homework dealing with a controversial issue.
This homwork will require them to interview four other people and get their
opinions on the issue. Then write a two paragraph issue explaining
the issue, the opinions of the four people interviewed, their opinion and
whey they have that opinion.
Debates
In groups,
students will participated in a series of debates each semester.
The student is required to research the information on the debate topic
and participate in the debate. Grades are based upon preparation
and whether they win or lose the debate.
Dub'P Euquirer
(1st
Semester)
In groups,
students will develop their own section of a school news paper. Students
will have to select topics that are news worth. They will have to
go out into the school and interview students and staff and from their
research write an article which will be placed in their section of the
Dub'P Enquirer. Photos and graphics will also be required.
In addition an editorial article will be required.
Broadcast
News Viedo (2nd
Semester)
In groups,
students will design a news broadcast about some event or issue within
the
school. Students will have to develop a script which will be turned
in with the broadcast video.
End of Semester
Exam
Each semester
there will be a final exam which is based upon: Vocabulary words, major
news events that took place during that semester. A review will be
provided.