Are you taking journalism, photojournalism, photography as a fine arts credit, newspaper, yearbook, or independent study journalism next year? Would you like to go on a photography expedition for 4 days next March? Would you like to know how you could save $50? Check out www.smithsonianstudenttravel.com Or, get some info by stopping by Room 120 or by talking to Mrs. Cummons. Don't be left out.

 Check out the latest newspaper here:

http://spartanoracle.blogspot.com/p/issues.html

Everyone on ad staff has a quota of ads, work to be done for this issue. Photographers are expected to submit 30 new pictures each week. Editors and reporters are expected to submit a story or online entry every single week. Staff is currently working on next issue due to come out Jan. 25 We also have an Instagram account spartanoracle. Follow us and check out all the photos of everyday life here in Spartanland.This course is in a constant state of evolution as we try to prepare these students for life in the outside world. There is currently a team in development to take care of the social media side of publications. If you know of any webdesigners out there who could come talk to the class please let me know.

Journalism I: Advertising- creating an ad campaign for a new product.

Photojournalism: Rules of composition. Students need to bring their camera every day. They represent another set of eyes and ears and they are constantly encouraged to shoot pictures, pitch the pictures, and see their photos in print, online, in any of the school publications. Thank you for sharing your children with me.

Feel free to contact me at janice.cummons@springbranchisd.com

 Students should arrange a time with the instructor to make up in class assignments. Most of the assignments for these classes are posted on the deadline calendar in the room, on Edmodo, or on the dummy pages so students should never need to wonder what are we doing on any given day. Students will be given as much time as dictated by district policy. However, please keep in mind that newspaper is a mini business and students who miss an assignment in there- a photo shoot of an athletic event for instance- should arrange for another photographer to take their place. Unlike other classes, students who miss completing their assignment put an extra work load on the rest ofthe staff. Photojournalism and Journalism I are proving grounds for staff positions so eventually, they also, are run like a small business.

Tutorials are available Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3 p.m. To 3:45 p.m. and by appointment most any other afternoon.  Students also may come in before school for extra help or to lock their camera in the cage as I get to school usually by 7 a.m. depending on traffic.

Assignments are posted on Edmodo for both Journalism I and Photojournalism. Assignments are turned in for both Journalism I and Photojournalism in Edmodo.All the students have a code to enter Edmodo and many are using this as an opportunity to get started early or finish late on the day's assignment.

Newspaper staff is working on another issue of the paper and getting a rhythm going entering copy and pictures on spartanoracle.blogspot.com. We also have a Twitter account, and an Instagram account.If you have any story ideas or ad ideas for us, please feel free to contact us at thestratfordoracle@gmail.com 

1st period Conference Period

3rd period Study Hall, Independent Study Journalism

5th period Newspaper I,II,III Independent Study Journalism

7th period Newspaper I, Newspaper II, Newspaper III,Independent Study Journalism

2nd period Study Hall, Independent Study Journalism

4th period Newspaper I,II,III, Independent Study Journalism

6th period Photojournalism, Independent Study Journalism

8th period Conference

PHOTOJOURNALISM:

Everything we do in class is posted on Edmodo Photojournalism 6 period. While you are at it check out spartanoracle.blogspot.com as the newspaper is now online. Students in this class are encouraged to submit photos both for online and paper publication.
Assignments are given in class and usually entail shooting a photo, downloading and presenting the photo the next class day. Students are encouraged to think outside of the box and develop a photographer's eye. In other words, there is no right or wrong answer, just an answer that has not been developed yet. Students should have their camera in class every single day. Missed assignments should be made up the next class day to avoid getting too far behind. In addition to the regular assignments, for the first two weeks of school, students will be helping Student Council compile face shots and quotes from people for a 9/11 remembrance. Students are encouraged to submit freelance work to the staff for publication. The ultimate goal is that every single child in this class will experience the thrill of seeing their work in print. Students in this department are held back only by whatever restrictions they put on themselves. Cameras can be as simple as a point and shoot, as their camera phone, or as elaborate as they want. They will be instructed in the proper care and supervision of their camera as I am sure you will also instruct.

JOURNALISM  1:

Everything we do is posted on Edmodo under Journalism 2013. Here you can find links to websites that we are checking out, and any handouts we are using. Check it out.While you are at it please check out spartanoracle.blogspot.com as the newspaper in now online.

This class ultimately runs like a staff.Students are exposed the many facets of a publication, from writing to design, to editing, to desktop publishing and beyond. Historically, this is where the editors of the publications come from. Therefore, they are expected to be able to follow direction and complete assignments without the constant supervision of the instructor looking over their shoulder. Rather than reading about how a news story is constructed for instance, the students will discuss the construction of a news story and then develop a workable news story suitable for publication in either the school newspaper or school yearbook. Every Friday students will present what is called a standing Friday assignment. Students bring in an article from the internet, a newspaper, magazine, even junk mail. They explain what caught their eye, and then tell us how it could be adapted to one of the school publications. The underlying belief in this assignment is that good writers are good readers and story ideas are everywhere.  Students are encouraged to freelance while in this class and submit stories, ads, design ideas, even photographs. Historically, the future editors come out of Journalism I.

NEWSPAPER:

Look to the newspaper webpage for more information.

Issue publication dates are as follows:

August 31 September 28 October 19 November 16 December 14 January 25 February 15 March 22 April 19 and May 17. Staff members are expected to contribute to the print and online publication on a regular basis. Anyone with ideas for possible ad contacts please contact the newspaper room at thestratfordoracle@gmail.com or janice cummons via email as we are always on the lookout for ads.

We also are online so please check us out. spartanoracle.blogspot.com