Batavia High School Course Syllabus

Course Name: Journalism I:

Teacher: Mrs. Amy Biancheri Course Description: In this writing workshop class, you
will develop your written and verbal communication skills
Please bookmark my Google site for weekly plans, while developing your ability to think critically about the
handouts, rubrics, and other class info: world around you and increasing your knowledge of how
important events are communicated to people in our
https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbiancheri/ society.

You will write several detailed, well-organized non-fiction

news pieces. You will also do a variety of information
gathering through personal interviews and online and
print research. You will analyze current media using both
print and online sources. You will study ethics in
journalism and create your own code of ethics, looking at
court cases and real-world scenarios. You will learn the
basics of caption and headline writing .

You may also have the opportunity to get your writing

published in The Spectator online or in Neighbors of
Batavia magazine.

Teacher Contact Info: [email protected] Prerequisite: None

630-937-5400 x8646

Required Materials: Pens, folder/binder, paper, flash Course Fee:

drive. Optional: Steno pad for interviewing

Textbook Information: Introduction to Journalism Special Dates:

Essential Learnings: Grading/Assessments:

1. Improve writing skills by researching, drafting, editing
and revising stories using appropriate journalistic style Types of Writing assessments include
and 6 trait writing standards. Assessments: articles graded on a 6-Trait
2. Form strong communication and organizational skills Writing Rubric; other written
through planning and conducting interviews. assessments include media/news
3. Effectively analyze human, print, and electronic sources analysis, headline and caption
for validity and usefulness. writing, design and layout
4. Utilize computer and print resources for research,
writing, and editing. Grade Calculation: Reading Informational Text
5. Enhance creativity and critical thinking through (news analysis, text readings,
designing effective newspaper layouts. etc.) 20%
6. Synthesize and apply knowledge of journalism skills by Research to build and present
creating student’s own newspaper. knowledge 20%
7. Develop skills to work independently, plan tasks, and Writing Process (drafts, editing,
meet deadlines. etc.) 20%
Extra Learning & Help Opportunities: Writing Application (Final
I am available before or after school in D114 by request. Articles) 30%
The tutoring center is available on Tuesday and Thursday Production and Distribution of
mornings from 6:45-7:30 Writing (layout, design) 10%

Learner Profile: Special Course Students will be able to

While students are graded on their academic Policies: interview and report outside of
achievement, students and parents also receive feedback class during lunches, but they
on classroom behaviors and responsibility. While these may not interrupt any classes in
behaviors are not graded, we believe that constructive order to do so.
feedback should be given. This feedback is called our
Learner Profile. More information is available on the BHS BPS Homework 6:290 policy.bps101.net
website. Policy:

BPS Grading Policy: 6:280 policy.bps101.net

Student Expectations for this Course: Characteristics of Successful Students in this

Students will research, interview, write, and revise Course:
journalism articles throughout the course. Students will Students in this course are highly self-motivated,
also peer edit other students’ work using turnitin.com organized, and can keep strict deadlines. Students feel
and use other students’ peer editing of their work and comfortable both working collaboratively and
teacher feedback to make revisions. Students will discuss independently. They take good notes, ask questions, and
and write about media analysis and news topics. Students help their peers. Successful students both provide and
will also look at real ethical situations and court cases and accept feedback on writing and are willing to make
create a code of ethics to use in their research and multiple revisions to improve their work. They are also
writing. good written and verbal communicators and are willing to
continually improve through practice.

Teacher Expectations for this Course: Remediation Statement:

I will be available for you both during and outside of class Students in English classes at BHS will have the
when you have questions. I will push you to do the very opportunity to remediate and reassess expository,
best that you can do. I will provide specific feedback to narrative, and persuasive writing assignments. If a
you in order to help you to reach your goals. student wishes to remediate, they will need to receive
some additional instruction and support from the
teacher. Students must prepare and conference with the
teacher. Additionally, the teacher will share further
practice that the student will need to complete or
feedback they need to apply prior to completing the
reassessment. When the student completes the
reassessment, the new written assignment grade will fully
replace the previous written assignment grade (either
higher or lower). The remediation and reassessment
process will need to be completed within 1 week of the
original assessment being returned to students.