Alan’s presentations have been some of the most memorable on this trip. I love his teaching style, and I hope to bring some of that back to my classroom next school year. Even adding little challenges (with prizes!) between lessons has been welcomed. I will definitely start the 10-2 rule (10 minutes of instruction, two minutes of discussion) when I get back.
Teaching methods aside, the content has been extremely helpful as well. I especially liked today’s lesson on sports coverage. My sports section is, well, less than stellar. I had two sports writers last year and one of them loved to go to games but hated writing, and the other loved to write and never had time to go to the games. It was a struggle to cover even the biggest events, and I feel guilty for not reassigning stories to more dedicated staffers. I think that Alan’s points will definitely make sports writing more appealing to my students, and I am looking forward to having more than two students covering the games next year.
I’m not much of a sports fan, so it’s hard for me to explain certain jargon related to sports. Do any of you have tips for assisting students with the lingo? Also, I know we discussed cliched phrases overused by coaches; how do we avoid using them in our stories?
Anyway, big ups to Alan for playing such a critical role in this institute - in and out of the classroom!
Tracy Marcello
Fossil Ridge High School
Fort Collins, Colo.
I really got a lot out of this session as well. Like you, I am not much of a sports fan, so it is hard to help the kids. I plan to use the website he mentioned to help kids understand the rules to the games they are viewing because unfortunately, most of the kids who sign up for my class are not sports fans, either. That means that our sports page tends to be the weakest in our paper. I think if I use some of the information from this presentation, it will help. Now to just get the kids to attend the games...
ReplyDeleteLaurie Bender
Kamiakin High School
Kennewick, Wash.
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ReplyDeleteI too took a lot away from Alan's session on sports. I liked his other sessions too. I really do like sports, especially soccer, and attend games all the time. But, the games are ususally those my ownkids are playing in. My staff this next year does not give a hoot about sports. I had to beg my sports editor to take on this role. I think I will take Alan's advice and focus on how much fun these stories can be to write. Maybe I will give out an award to make them feel competitive and interested.
ReplyDeleteLisa SHapiro
Northwest High School
Germantown, MD
Alan W. proved himself worthy in so many ways. His humor, wit and encouragement compliment his well-rounded understanding of the newspaper publishing and teaching professions. I enjoyed all of his sessions, especially the one about sports coverage.
ReplyDeleteScott F. Davis
Westville OK High School