Student Work... Divya's Lady or the Tiger

Divya Desai Friday, September, 27th, 2007
Newspaper
Homework: The Lady or the Tiger.
…And love was supposed to be Giving
A young man lost his life yesterday, in the semi-barbaric King’s brutal judgment arena. His crime, loving the king’s daughter. Neither the Princess, nor the Young Man denied these claims, but accepted them as facts. Yet the King would hear none. He decreed that the matter would be decided in the Judgment Arena. Either way the Young Man would be disposed of. If he chose the one door he would be faced with a brutal tiger, if he chose the other, he would face a maiden to whom he would instantly be married to.
The Princess, with a soul as fervent as her father’s,
chose not to sit ideally, she found out which door had the Tiger and which the Lady. Something which even the King didn’t know.
With this knowledge she led the Young man to his brutal death. While all the eyes, in the court were on the Young Man, his eyes were on the Princess. He signaled “Which?” to the Princess with a scratch. She in turn responded with a movement of her arm. With this she gesture to the right door. And out came the Tiger.
The Princess’s love was more demanding then giving, she couldn’t bear to see her love, with another. Instead of giving her love his life, she took it instead.

Current Events

I think we should talk about current events, but we need to be informed... where do you get your news?

What are you reading?

http://bookloversforum.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in being a part of this blog... comment on the this post... and I will add you to the member list.

Homework reminders

Tonight you should be revising your news articles and they should come to me revised on Monday with the first draft.

You will be receiving an assignment in class today on the "COA" that will be due on Thursday, October 4th...
It will use the same rubric as before.

Have a great weekend.

Ms. Sackstein

Consistent Rubrics for all grading...

In order to be consistent with the rest of school, we will be going on a 1-4 rubric for now on...
4 - exceeds the standards
3- meets the standards
2- approaching the standards
1 - needs improvement
0- not handed in

Good news writing links to improve your work...

Good writing tips, leads and easy improvements...
http://www.northernstar.info/nina/highschool/write.html

Great overall journalism link:
http://www.poynter.org/

A good breakdown of news with examples:
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/journalism/news.htmv

More good tips:
http://www.education-medias.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/toolkit_resources/tipsheets/writing_news_story.cfm

Practice your skills at:
http://www.newsu.org/

Excellent scholastic journalism site:
http://www.highschooljournalism.org/

Homework for Thursday night to have ready for class on Friday

Read Poe's "Cask of the Amontillado"

http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/amontillado.html

Revise your news story to be handed in again on Monday, October 1

position descriptions

Position Descriptions

• Editor-in-Chief: Individuals are responsible for managing all elements of the high school newspaper. Drafting layouts
and planning ahead for the entire academic year, as well as constructing the ad pages. He/she should feel comfortable
using the appropriate technology and training other staff members to use the required technology. Journalistic style
should be “second nature.” Strong leadership skills are a must, not to mention a positive outlook and motivating
attitude.

• Associate Editor: In addition to designing a section of the newspaper, he/she works with other associate editors and
provides support for the editor-in-chief. They follow-up with reporters to see that interviews are being conducted and
stories written. Associate editors are responsible for the timely production of the newspaper. The board may contribute
to the editorial section. They should be skillful managers, editors, and leaders.

• Page editors:Individuals are responsible for brainstorming, story assignments, editing, headline and cutline writing, as
well as proofreading and contributing stories for each issue. Page editors should know the basics of newspaper design
and how to use Indesign and Photoshop on Apple computers. They must also know how to scan and download
pictures.

• Staff Writer/Reporter: Individuals are responsible for brainstorming and writing assigned stories. He/she must be able
to write for a variety of sections. In addition, staff writers should be motivated to learn other aspects of newspaper
production.

• Photographer: Individuals are responsible for shooting requested photographs for each issue. He/she must be able to
manage a system for photo requests. In addition, he/she should have a positive and flexible attitude. Must know how
to download photographs and save on the shared network. Should be able to write copy for the newspaper if needed.

• Art Editors: Individuals are responsible for creating requested art for each issue. He/she must be able to manage a
system for requesting art. In addition, he/she should have a positive and flexible attitude. Must know how to scan
images and save on the shared network. Should be able to write copy for the newspaper if needed.

• Technical Editor: Individuals are responsible for the operation of the computer lab. He/she must be able to multi-task
and address issues concerning all aspects of the operating systems, external devices, and applications. Specifically,
he/she must be fluent in Indesign and Photoshop, MAC OS X, and file sharing. Should be able to write copy for the newspaper if needed.

Newspaper Positions
If you are interested in an associate editor’s position, you must also choose a page-editing position.
First Choice Second Choice
Editor-in-Chief ____________ ____________
Associate Editor ____________ ____________
Around Town Editor ____________ ____________
Entertainment Editor ____________ ____________
Features Editor ____________ ____________
In-depth Editor ____________ ____________
News Editor ____________ ____________
Sports Editor ____________ ____________
Staff Writer/Reporter ____________ ____________
Photographer ____________ ____________
Artist/Illustrator ____________ ____________
Technical Editor ____________ ____________
Short Answers

Please answer each item in 200 to 300 words. Provide responses on a separate sheet of paper, and label each response with the letter of the question it answers.

A. Why have you chosen to seek a position on the paper? What has attracted you to the field of
journalism?

B. What do you feel that you will bring to The paper next year if selected? Why have you
chosen the staffing position(s) that you have indicated above? What unique talents, abilities,
passions or perspectives will you bring to those positions in particular?

Tonight's homework to be discussed in class tomorrow

Look through your local newspaper and find 10 news leads you like. Write a paragraph about why you like them and how they are effective. Bring them to class and share why you like them. See if you can findthe Five W's and H in each lead.

A reminder that your brochures are due on Thursday, 9/27... no late assignments will be accepted.

Sample News Story from the Lady or the Tiger assignment

Lover of princess killed in trial: Did the princess play a part in the outcome?

By Starr Sackstein

The crowd watched on as the princess’s lover selected the door which would lead to his death.

It had been speculated by many that perhaps the princess would offer leniency to her lover and save him from potential doom.

Sources close to the princess have stated, “Her decision had been indicated in an instant, but it had been made after days and nights of anguished deliberation. She had known she would be asked, she had decided what she would answer, and, without the slightest hesitation, she had moved her hand to the right.”

Was this gesture in fact the hint that the lover was waiting for? Citizens of the kingdom have called their king “semi-barbaric”, so it is possible that his daughter possesses the same genetic inclination.

The princess later said, “I have seen this fair creature throwing glances of admiration upon my lover, and sometimes I thought these glances were perceived and even returned.” She continued, “Now and then I had seen them talking together; it was but for a moment or two, but much can be said in a brief space; it may have been on most unimportant topics, but how could I know that? The girl was lovely, but she had dared to raise her eyes to my beloved; and, with all the intensity of the savage blood transmitted to her through long lines of wholly barbaric ancestors, I hated the woman who blushed and trembled behind that silent door.”

The king was questioned about the outcome of the event, to which he stated, “this vast amphitheatre, with its encircling galleries, its mysterious vaults, and its unseen passages, is an agent of poetic justice, in which crime is punished. Or virtue rewarded, by the decrees of an impartial and incorruptible chance.”

Only the criminal can decide his/her own fate according to the king. He just sets up the trial when necessary.

“When all the people had assembled in the galleries, and the king, surrounded by his court, sat high up on his throne of royal state on one side of the arena, he gave a signal, a door beneath him opened, and the accused subject stepped out into the amphitheatre,” stated Stockton when retelling the events from earlier that afternoon.

“When a subject was accused of a crime of sufficient importance to interest the king, public notice was given that on an appointed day the fate of tile accused person would be decided in the king's arena,--a structure which well deserved its name; for, although its form and plan were borrowed -from afar, its purpose emanated solely from the brain of this man, who, every barleycorn a king, knew no tradition to which he owed more allegiance than pleased his fancy, and who ingrafted on every adopted form of human thought and action the rich growth of his barbaric idealism,” stated a citizen of the kingdom about the structure of their justice system.

Is this a fair method of justice? It is for the king and his kingdom to decide.

Homework assignment to be collected

Folks,

We spoke in class today about what makes a well-written news article and most of us discovered that it isn't as easy as it seems. Tonight I want you to reflect on your own experience. What did you have difficulties with? What came easily? What do you think you did well and what do you need to work on? Be honest with yourself and with me as this is the only way I can help you.

These reflections will be collected, so please write them on loose leaf paper or type them.

Thanks,
Ms. S

News Assignment

Good morning folks,

I spent this morning reading your first official news writing assignments and I was impressed with some of the big topics you chose to tackle. However, I also realized that we have to go back to basics. I noticed many of the same issues in all of your writing -

many of you wrote editorials and not news... there is no place for opinion in news. Tomorrow in class and for a few days we will be working on examining good news stories written by other students. I am hoping that we can talk about ways to improve our writing.

see you tomorrow... check into teacherease if you haven't already and see if you are missing work.

have a great rest of your weekend.
Ms. S

Deadlines

Good morning folks,

Deadlines are set for a reason... in the real journalism world, either you are in on time or you're not and when you aren't you end up jeopardizing your job.

For the first month or so, you will have some space... starting in October, if the assignment isn't in when due, you will get a zero (0). When 0's add up, you will fail.

Check your teacher ease often to find out how you are doing.

Have a great day...
Reminder:
tomorrow your news stories are due
tomorrow is the last day you can make up your 9/11 assignment
Monday is the last day you can make up the Lady or the Tiger assignment.

"The Most Dangerous Game" Travel Brochure

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
Due Wednesday, September 26th

Task: Journalism takes on many different forms. We have looked at news and now I want you to do something a little more creative. After reading “The Most Dangerous Game” I want you to create a travel brochure for Ship Trap Island. You will want to make the brochure appealing for people interested in traveling to an exotic place. Be creative and think outside the box. How are you going to get visitors interested in this particular location?

Steps:
Read the story and think about its assets – if you were a travel agent, what kinds of details would you use to make people interested in it?
Select several features of the island that you want to play up and write a short description of them.
Use Zaroff’s house as the “hotel” or lodging accommodations
Create a brochure which successfully gets the interest of potential vacationers

Tips:
Think about your audience
Select appropriate language and visuals
Use the facts and details from the story to help effectively convey your message
Ask questions if you don’t understand something

You will graded on how complete your brochure is, how effective it is in playing up the islands “highlights”, and how thoughtful you are in it’s presentation.

You will lose 5 points for every day it is late… so please get it in on time.

Independent Reading days

Good afternoon everyone,

I just wanted to say that this was our first successful independent reading day. I think for now, Wednesdays will be our reading days. We'll have a mini lesson and reading and writing time.

See you tomorrow.

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

Here is a link to our next short story. I will be distributing copies in class, but if you happen to misplace it... here it is.

http://fiction.eserver.org/short/the_most_dangerous_game.html

You are going to have to read the story and create a travel brochure for the island. Consider all of things you like when you travel or what you imagine you would like. Then try to sell Ship Trap Island to the world.

This will all make more sense when we go over it in class on Friday. The brochure will be due the following Friday - 9/28

Have a great night.

Independent reading Wednesdays

Folks,

Please remember to bring your independent reading books to class tomorrow at 8:00 am... getting to class on time is very important... we have less time on Wednesday (8:05-8:45)

You will also need your reading sourcebook...

all smiles,
Ms. S

teacherease

Good morning folks,

Just a reminder that teacherease is up and running... I will be sending out invitations with passwords for you to be responsible for the work you are given.

Stay on top of what you owe.

see you later,
Ms. S

Class review from 9/12

For those of you who were absent on Wednesday - here are the concepts we covered:
We read "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton and discussed:
irony, verbal irony and the plot diagram (consisting of 1. exposition, 2. rising actions, 3. climax, 4. falling actions, 5. resolution).
Make sure you get the notes if you weren't there. We will be having our first sourcebook (notebook) check at the end of September.

You also have a draft of news story due on Friday, Sept. 21.

Have a nice long weekend.

Lady or the Tiger homework assignment - first draft due on Monday

Student:______________________ deadline: Monday, Sept. 17th
You may email it to me over the weekend: ssackstein@schools.nyc.gov
Task: After we read The Lady or the Tiger? in class, write a news story about any the culminating events in The Lady or the Tiger? by Frank Stockton; effectively utilizing the skills specific to the genre of Journalism in alignment with New York State & New York City Standards.

Grading Scale: 0= F 1=Needs Improvement 2=C 3=B 4=A

Skills
Standards
Scale 0-4
5Ws are clear and answered effectively in the article.
· Uses an organizational structure and presents a controlling idea pertaining to the journalism genre.

The article follows the rules of the inverted pyramid.
· Use a range of organizational strategies to present information.
· Excludes extraneous information

A lead is present and used effectively.
· Clear concept of the main idea under the genre of journalism.
· Engages the reader by establishing a context and developing reader interest.

A headline is present and is engaging and effective.
· Understands the concept of “main idea” and manipulates the English language in a sophisticated manner.

Quotes are used efficiently and correctly; including both direct and indirect quotes.
· Uses paraphrase and quotation in order to communicate information most effectively.

The article is written from an objective and non-biased point of view.
· Aware of varying writing styles and purposes. Writes in alignment with the genre specific task.

The article is written using the 3rd person voice.
· Clear understanding of “Voice” utilized and follows the rules of the specific genre of journalism.

Revision and peer editing evident. Three drafts expected.
· Revise and improve early drafts by restructuring, correcting errors, and revising for clarity and effect.
· Evaluates and compares his/her own and other’s work with regard to different criteria and recognize the change in evaluations when different criteria are considered to be more important.

Grammar and sentence structure enhances, rather than debilitates the reading of the article.
· Uses standard English skillfully, applying established rules and conventions for presenting information and making use of a wide range of grammatical constructions and vocabulary to achieve an individual style that communicates effectively.


Overall grade based on expected skills and English Language Arts Standards: _______

9/11 homework and class work

Good afternoon all:

We made it through another day. We are still getting to class late... regular days class starts at 8:45 and on Wednesdays you should be in class by 8.

Tonight's homework is select an article about 9/11. Cut it out and identify the following parts: headline, lead, inverted pyramid, 5 ws and h. Make sure to type the assignment as it will be collected tomorrow. For every day it is late, you lose quality points. Please make sure to write a short reflection as well with the article. What aspect of 9/11 did your article cover? How do you feel this piece dealt with the issue?

Many of you still haven't turned in the first homework assignment from Friday, 9/7. Where you had to cut out 2 articles and identify the parts. I will not accept this assignment beyond Monday next week. Remember always that we are a newspaper class and deadlines are an essential part to getting things to function well. You miss a deadline, you get a zero and the work isn't done.

We also have the standing assignment for a news article due September 21st which is due Friday, September 21st. That is next Friday, so try to get some time to get that draft done. Use the rubrics given out in class. I will post it soon if you lost it.
Have a great night,
Ms. S

Homework rubric

HOMEWORK GRADING CRITERIA

5 *EXCELLENT WORK: Quality and effort was above and beyond expectations and was **handed in on time. Attention to detail, thoughtful and thorough in all aspects of the assignment. The presentation of the assignment showed a high degree of care and effort.

4 GOOD WORK: The assignment was completed according to the directions and was handed in on time. An honest effort was made in all aspects of the assignment. The presentation of the assignment showed an appropriate level of care and effort.

3 SATISFACTORY WORK: The assignment was handed in on time. The work fulfilled basic criteria of assignment with only one aspect deficient.

2 POOR WORK: The assignment was incomplete, and/or was not completed according to the directions and/or displayed a poor level of care and effort.

1 UNACCEPTABLE WORK: Little to no effort in all aspects of the assignment.
*** Redo the assignment.

0 *** NOT HANDED IN: Homework assignment not done or not handed in.

On-going homework assignments

Class seemed to run a little more smoothly today, but I still think we have a lot to change.
I wanted to post the on-going assignments discussed in class today and also mention that on Monday I will be collecting and checking your class work from today about identifying different parts of the news stories. You should have 2 stories with the headline, bi-line, lead, 5 ws and H pointed out. If you know what kind of lead is used, you can add that information also.

ON-GOING Assignments:

• Independent reading with logs in the reader's notebook... write the title, author and pages read along with some evidence that you read (i.e. a summary, character analysis, plot development, etc.)
• Observations - you should get out into the community and take notes of what you see around you. Notice things you hear. Use your senses! Write everything down because anything can become a story. Keep these observations in the writer's notebook.
  

First Day - New start time

It was great to finally meet the class as it will be... maybe. Class will now be starting at 8:45 and will last until 9:50 on days 1 and 3. On day 2 class will begin at 8.

For tomorrow, please go over your syllabus. Make sure to annotate it... what do you know, what do you need to know and what do you have questions about?

Looking forward to an inspiring year.

Newspaper Confusion

Good evening folks,

Just wanted to say welcome. Now that we have our official class, it is time to get things going. There will be a lot of work that will need to accomplish to get out our first paper. Hopefully, by the end of the first trimester, we can get out at least a 4 pager based on the events of our second year...

let's get a discussion going on potential topics for our first issue... timely things that when it comes out in late October/November or so...

more to come.

signing off,
Ms. Sackstein