In November 2004 those over 18 had the right to make a choice.  They had plenty of material—both fact and opinion—to help them make decisions on the national, state, and local levels.

     During the months leading up to the elections, teachers had the opportunity to guide students to read critically, to compare and evaluate opinions, to explore their ever-changing world, to obtain information, and to draw conclusions—the very skills these young citizens will use as adults when it’s their turn to vote.

    And what better medium existed to motivate students to delve into history as it happened than the newspaper?

    Elections provide but one of a myriad of examples for using the newspaper in the classroom.  Whether you teach reading, social studies, language arts, math, or science, the newspaper holds a wealth of information you cannot find in a textbook.  Yet some teachers remain reluctant to introduce students to it.

     For those who fear a little ink on the fingers or an impromptu discussion generated by an interesting story, the Indiana State Reading Association (ISRA), the Indiana Newspaper in Education (NIE) Advisory Board, and the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation have just the tool.

     Each spring these three organizations along with NIE professionals across the state partner to produce a special tabloid filled with activities for K-12 teachers to use in their classrooms during NIE Week.  Inside the front cover, teachers new to the concept will find tips on classroom management.  (Example: If students share papers, ask them to sign their names on the top of the front page.  They rarely turn in a messy signed copy.)  Yes, the shape of the pages varies a bit from the usual textbook.  But you will find middle and high school students truly enjoy reading an adult medium.  Younger students can tackle it too.  (Ever tried stapling those big pages together near the fold for easier handling?)

     The 2005 NIE Week theme aligns with ISRA’s—Come Out of Your Shell . . . and Read!  Most cities in Indiana will celebrate March 7-11, though some locales choose different weeks.  It really doesn’t matter.  The activities are timeless, and each one corresponds with one or more language arts standards by grade clusters—K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  Each activity targets one cluster, but adaptations for the others also appear on the page.  Teachers of all grade levels will find the material useful.

     The ISRA and participating newspapers distribute approximately 20,000 copies of the tabloid each year.  Many Indiana newspapers provide free or sponsored papers for the classroom.  The NIE Week tabloid includes a list of Indiana newspapers and ISRA councils.  You’ll also learn how to conduct a Target Date project and obtain free newspapers from across the country for comparison studies.

     From reading photographs in kindergarten to learning how newspapers play the role of watchdog of the government, you will find something to enhance your lessons in the guide.

     This spring please join thousands of other teachers using the newspaper—the only textbook recycled daily.  You just might find yourself teaching skills students will use for a lifetime.