Sarah Gassen on finding ideas for opinion pieces

I learned a lot from Sarah Gassen's talk today.  I have had a few kids who wanted to write opinion pieces, but I didn't really have a way to guide them.  They also had these huge ideas, like animal testing, and legalizing marijuana.  I didn't know how to guide them to narrowing these ideas to things that impact them and their community.  They always wanted to write on the controversial issues; we never had fresh ideas.

I will definitely use her advice to immerse my kids into activities in which they wouldn't have participated otherwise.  She suggested to have them shadow the principal for a day, follow a custodian,  work in the cafeteria, attend a club meeting, go to detention, etc.  What a great way to let them experience things that they wouldn't normally (except maybe detention) and find a unique angle that ties directly to themselves and their peers.  I know our school is full of story ideas that we have yet to tap into.  I just have to steer my kids into discovering these ideas.  Better opinion pieces will strengthen our newspaper.

Sarah Gassen introduces herself and addresses
 the topic of her talk: opinion writing.

I also got great advice from Steve about the struggles my kids face with finding sources for interviews.  He explained that one of the best things to do is to put them in a position to succeed.  How do you do that?  He's already modeled it for us.  He has set up group interviews to help us get our interviews in, but also to show us that we can help our kids get reliable, strong sources of information by setting up group interviews for them when it will help.  This hit home to me because I teach junior high, and that age it is really hard for them to get around and find people on their own.  When it is applicable, I can set up group interviews with the principal or a teacher to put them in a position to succeed.  More great advice!

Lauren Gutierrez

Corbett Jr. High

San Antonio, Texas