Each month throughout the school year brings exciting
events that could spark great story ideas!
Many stories have educational value to the reporter
as well as the viewer. When choosing a story idea, seek to learn and inform.
Stories should be broad enough to appeal to a national
audience but they can contain local examples to make specific points.
Use the topics listed below as guidelines, and to help come up with your
own ideas.
Your completed stories could make great additions to
your school's broadcast or Web site.
Summer 2003
Dropout Age A new proposal in New Jersey would mandate class attendance until the age of 18,
instead of 16. The bill is sponsored by two assemblywomen: Nellie Pou and Nilsa Cruz-Perez. The two women
feel that the current attendance requirement of 16 "invites a high dropout rate." However, the New Jersey
School Boards Association believes that students who do not truly want to be in school just cause a disruption
for those who do. They say that there are other alternatives for dropouts, such as adult school and high school
equivalency diplomas. The Association does not back the proposal. Write a story about high school dropout rates.
Maybe you can gather some statistics on the age of the average dropout student. Is changing the age requirement
a good idea? Web resource http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/
living/education/6068893.htm Curriculum connections:
Education, Government
Teen Violence in Thailand An eruption of violent incidents in schools in Bangkok has left everyone shaken. Two violent
incidents involving teens that led to death spawned anguish and debate within the Education Ministry. The Department
of Mental Health responded, saying that they would propose to Thailand's Cabinet an immediate tightening of censorship
rules to screen out excessive violence in the media, including films, television series, advertisements and video and
computer games. It has also asked executives and teachers from all schools under its jurisdiction to hold monthly meetings
with parents. Write a story about violence in schools. Can violence be prevented by screening the media? What other measures
should be taken to teach kids how to deal with their problems? Curriculum connections:
Education, Fine Arts, Government, Sociology
Civil Rights and Teenagers In New York, A 14-year-old, Natalie Young, was suspended for wearing a t-shirt that read, "Barbie is a
Lesbian." Her family claims that this suspension was a violation of Natalie's freedom of speech. Her lawyer, Dan Perez, agrees,
and argues that "schools cannot legally engage in this type of selective, content-based suppression of speech." Write a story on
civil rights and teenagers. What should schools tolerate, and which rules do you think may be violations of students' civil rights?
Should students be allowed to advertise their sexual orientation? Interview an administrator as well as your fellow classmates. Web resource http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/06/20/
life.barbie.reut/index.html Curriculum connections:
Civics/Government, Education
Cheating and Technology Authorities have recently found that cheating and plagiarizing have become
very common in schools. Students seem to find reasons to cheat, including competition for grades,
sports eligibility, time constraints, and most importantly, the absence of ethical training. Kathleen
Foss, author of Student Cheating and Plagiarizing in the Internet Era: A Wake-Up Call, argues that
"students see cheating all around them, and nothing seems to happen or the punishment is so mild"
that students are not discouraged from cheating. Foss also feels that the prevalence of more advanced
technology makes cheating easier and is also a major contributor to the problem with cheating in school.
Consider a story on the negative effects of technology on society. Include examples of how technology
has contributed to the problem of cheating, such as graphic calculators that can store answers, lab
results and homework assignments shared through email, easy access to inappropriate material on the
Internet, etc. Ask your fellow classmates how they feel technology has changed ideals in society.
What could be the potential dangers of technology in the future? An interview with an authority figure
such as the principal might also be good to get different perspectives. Web resource http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/5756096.htm
Curriculum connections:
Culture, Education, Technology
Low Achievement in Schools Joan Kernan Cone, an English teacher at El Cerrito High School in California, has
done studies on students and low achievement. As a teacher, she conducted studies based on the behavior of
her own students. She found that many students seemed determined to do the least amount of work for the
highest possible grade. These students were unwilling to take on academic challenges, did little or no
homework, ignored due dates and skipped class. Cone discovered that the school and teachers had contributed
to forming students' school identities. When students were not pushed to follow an advanced track, they
settled for low achievement. Cone also noted that both the student and teacher constantly reinforce each
other's negative behaviors. If a student is constantly late, does not turn in assignments, or always acts
up, the teacher will eventually come to expect nothing more. Write a story on the affect that a teacher's
expectations might have on students. Ask your fellow classmates about teachers' actions that may have
discouraged or encouraged them. Should teachers continuously push students to do more or should they leave
it to the student to want to learn and achieve more? Do you think that ambition comes from the influence
of others or does it depend on individual identity and drive? Web resource http://www.edletter.org/current/index.shtml
Curriculum connections:
English, Culture, Education
Nutrition in Schools Consumer advocates are concerned about the promotion of bad nutritional behavior in
schools. Soda vending machines offer schools easy money, with commissions of up to 45 percent, yet do not
contain any nutritional value. Soft drinks contain around 250 calories and a lot of sugar. A study published
in a British medical journal, The Lancet, in 2001 suggests that consuming sugar-sweetened drinks is associated
with obesity in children. Although many schools have restrictions on what time they may sell soft drinks in
the lunchroom, vending machines do not have a limit and children can purchase soft drinks whatever time they
wish. Do you think that schools have an obligation to foresee the health of children, or should it strictly be
the responsibility of parents to enforce nutrition? Write a story on how good nutrition could be taught and
reinforced. Interview a nutritionist, or someone that can explain how eating unhealthy food or drinking a lot
of soda can contribute to poor health. What do you think that schools should do to maintain good nutrition in
students? If they should not allow vending machines, then what should be allowed? Web resource
http://www.ajc.com/print/content/epaper/editions/ monday/news_e35bbf977149c19200c7.html Curriculum connections:
Education, Health, Culture, Food Service
Hip Hop in Schools Teachers are now using hip-hop as a learning tool. Jennifer Bishop, a teacher at Talley
Middle School in Delaware, has incorporated hip-hop into assignments that she gives her students, such as writing
about achievement. Educators are taking positive aspects of hip-hop, such as the catchy beats, clever use of words,
and social messages, and using those elements as mnemonic devices for studying or getting a lesson across. Students
do this by running a make-believe record label. Their rhymes are written into stanzas. They learn about budgets and
use advanced technology in order to earn their grades. The students enjoy this way of learning and claim that
"it challenges them." Famous music artists such as LL Cool J, Shaggy, Kevy Kev and Doug E. Fresh are also contributing
to this style of learning. These hip-hop artists have recorded children's parable-style stories through Scholastic
Inc. using hip-hop lyrics. Write a story about unconventional styles of learning. How do you think that new, fun
methods of learning, such as incorporating hip-hop, can change the enthusiasm level of students? Do your fellow classmates
think that learning in new ways is more effective? What might teachers do to utilize these new methods as part of their
standard curriculum? What do your school's authority figures think about methods of teaching like this? Web resource http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/5801150.htm
Curriculum connections:
Culture, Education, English
April 2003
April Fool In recognition of April Fool's Day on April 1,
have a little fun and collect stories about some of the greatest pranks.
Add substance to the story by explaining the origins of the holiday and
add any history that you can find. On April Fool's Day, people play practical
jokes or send friends on "fool's errands." Some schools encourage April
Fool's tomfoolery as long as it doesn't get out of hand. But April Fool's
Day is celebrated differently in different places. In England and Canada
pranks are only played in the morning. In Scotland, April Fool's lasts
two days. The second day is known as "Taily Day" and pranks involving
the posterior are played. French children fool their friends by taping
a paper fish to their friends' backs. It seems no one is immune to pranks.
For example, in 1996 Taco Bell Corp. ran a full-page ad in several major
newspapers claiming it had purchased the Liberty Bell and was renaming
it the "Taco Liberty Bell." Web resources Pranks: www.snopes.com
Curriculum connection:
Social Studies
High School Graduation
Rates High school graduation rates for girls are ahead
of those for boys, the U.S Census Bureau said. According to the 2002 census
report, 84.4 percent of women age 25 or over completed high school in
2002, compared with 83.8 percent of men. The figures vary from state to
state. For instance, studies by the University of Minnesota Office of
Educational Accountability showed that 82 percent of Minnesota females
graduated in 2002 while only 75 percent of Minnesota males graduated.
Mark Davison, a director of the studies, said the trend "reflects the
impacts of the women's movement, and educational institutions attempting
to improve opportunities for women..." Consider a story about graduation
rates for women in your area. Compare what is happening between boys and
girls in area schools and check with school officials to find probable
causes for the drop out rates. Ask others what impact dropping out of
school has on individuals in the long run. Interview someone who has returned
to finish school after dropping out to get their perspective. Web Resource: Minnesota Star Tribune article
Zero Tolerance Zero tolerance policies, designed to keep drugs,
alcohol, guns and other weapons off school grounds, have been criticized
as giving too much power to local officials to suspend and expel students
for infractions. What is the policy at your school and how do students
respond to it? What other schools in your area have adopted this policy?
Capture student opinions on video and get school officials to explain
why they believe such a program is either neither or not needed. Describe
the problems and rewards that schools have experienced with zero tolerance.
Answer the question, "is zero tolerance working out?" through interviews
with students and school officials. Web Resource: School suspension
March 2003
Week of 3/24 - 3/31
Defining a Dangerous School A regulation in the federal "No Child Left Behind"
education law gives students the option to transfer out of "persistently
dangerous schools." But opponents to the "Unsafe School Choice Option"
regulation say there are two major problems with this law: it punishes
students because the good students and not the trouble-makers often transfer,
and each state can adopt its own definition of what "dangerous" really
means. How has your state or school system dealt with the Unsafe School
Choice regulation? Some states are having lots of problems with it. For
example, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education drafted definitions
March 21 that would disqualify most of its schools from using the regulation.
However, each state must have a plan in place for students to transfer
by July 1 or risk losing federal funding. Look into the steps your state
is taking to meet the regulation. Talk to officials and see how they are
defining "persistently dangerous." See if students have an opinion to
share, too. Develop a story that informs others about a part of education
that they may otherwise have missed knowing about. Web resource: Pennsylvania schools Curriculum connections:
Government, Social Studies.
Travel Several major airlines have cut travel schedules
due to the war in Iraq. While the war was once expected to come to a quick
decisive end, U.S. officials said that may not be the case with coallition
forces experiencing more casulties and heavier Iraqi resistance. Consider
the question, what effect would a prolonged war have on family travel
plans? How has it affected travel already? Ask respondents about their
preferred modes of travel for vacations and about their destinations.
Have people delayed, changed or cancelled vacations? What are they saying
are the reasons for the changes? Web Resource: Delta
cuts schedule Change
of plans Singapore
tourism down Big
battle March 25
Pro-War Patrotism Now that the United States is deeply engaged in
the war with Iraq, canvass your community or school to see if the war
effort has rallied a pro-war or pro-U.S.A. movement. What examples of
patriotism can you capture with your camera? Perhaps the patriotic sentiment
that was seen right after the 911 attacks is growing again today? Balance
this story with feedback from proponents of peace and someone who is anti-American,
but focus on the patriotic element. Curriculum connections: Social Studies, Current Events.
College Campus Terror FBI agents have begun searching for potential terrorists
who may be residing in college towns. Foreign exchange programs can make
it easy for people to stay in the United States for longer periods, especially
in small towns. Yet, would-be terrorists can still find easy access to
the outside world through the Internet at colleges. Recently, two foreign
students with ties to a group suspected of funneling money to terrorist
groups were arrested at the University of Idaho. Police are still on the
lookout for more students that might pose a threat. Write a story about
ways schools have screened international students and the impact such
procedures have had on students. Consider questions like: Do students
think discriminatory practices are in place? Do American students act
differently towards international students now because of the war? Curriculum connections:
Culture, Government, Religion
Wartime Education With coalition forces engaged in a war with Iraq,
it's hard for some students to concentrate on regular studies. So, many
teachers are giving in and helping direct the nervous energy toward wartime
education. Teachers are offering lessons that describe the conflict, the
region and the key players. How has instruction in your school changed
since the war began? Interview teachers to see how they have adapted.
Do students want more or less information about the war in their school
lessons? Talk to school psychologists to see what they recommend to help
students cope with war. Web Resource: Education Curriculum connection:
Current Events, Sociology, Civics.
Week of 3/17 - 3/23
Atypical
Pneumonia The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued
a "world wide threat" alert regarding a virulent strain of pneumonia whose
cause is not known and which does not appear to respond to standard treatments.
As of March 17, 167 new or suspected cases of the pneumonia -- including
four deaths -- had been reported around the world, WHO said. Considering
these facts, a story about communicable diseases would be timely. Research
pneumonia and other infectious diseases. Explain the differences between
the atypical pneumonia and the usual strains of pneumonia. Use the story
to alert and inform your school audience about the possible threat and
the recommendations for avoiding infection. Web Resources: Mysterious disease Curriculum Connection:
Health, Social Studies, Political Science
Troops U.S. troops have steadily poured into Kuwait over
the last several weeks. They are preparing for the pending battle with
Iraq aimed at crushing that country's weapons of mass destruction. More
than 100,000 troops were in Kuwait in mid March, according to military
sources. With so many men and women being called up, your area may have
students just out of high school or in the reserves, who have been summoned
to the region. Find a young person to feature who is about to go to war.
Such a story will show your school audience a younger perspective on the
war. Web Resources: Deployments Iraq Tracker Curriculum connections:
Political Science, Social Studies, Current Events.
Technology for Teachers It's clear that computers are the wave of the future,
but some teachers still have not grasped the basic operations. Students
often know more about technology than their teachers. One example is found
at Timothy Edwards Middle School in Windsor, Conn., where many of the
65 teachers there had barely touched a computer until three years ago.
The situation at Timothy Edwards changed because the professional development
committee instituted on-going computer classes for the teachers. Can you
identify examples of technology teacher training that would make good
video stories? What does your school system do to make sure teachers are
staying up on technology? Curriculum connection:
Technology.
Cultural Exchange What kind of cultural exchange do your community
and school offer for international residents in the United States? Some
communities have resource centers for refugees so they can find out about
government aid. They can learn about job opportunities, find a house and
get English lessons. They can even find out where to get laundry done.
Investigate to see what your city offers. Meeting new people and learning
about their customs is a compelling pursuit. Your viewers may find such
a story worthwhile. Web resource: Bowling Green Int'l Center Curriculum connection:
World History, Social Studies, Life Skills.
Week
of 3/10 - 3/16
The Gas Pump Gas prices have risen significantly in recent weeks.
Conduct a study to see how much the cost of gas has risen in your area.
What factors have contributed to the rising prices? Investigate what states
are doing to protect consumers from possible gas price gouging. Ask students
if the prices are affecting their ability to get around. Web Resources: Oil Strike, War, Push Up Prices Curriculum connections:
Math, Social Studies.
St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day, the feast day of St. Patrick,
the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated March 17 of each year. Many
cities are planning celebrations. Two of the major cities include New
York City, with an 11 a.m. parade up 5th Ave from 44th to 86th Streets,
and Chicago, with a celebration downtown on March 15 at noon. What is
happening where you live during this green holiday? Plan to cover the
events for your school's news show or newspaper. Write stories that tease
the events. Curriculum connection:
Social Studies
T-shirt Suspension Consider a story examining constitutional freedoms
with issues that might affect young people. For example, officials at
Chicago's Finley Junior High School recently suspended an eight grader
for wearing a T-shirt with a drawing of the World Trade Center, an airplane
and a man in traditional Arab headdress. School officials said the shirt
was offensive, but the student said he wore it to protest against racism.
Should students be free to wear whatever they want even if it is offensive
to others? Is such action protected by the constitutional right of free
speech? Another example might involve the right to privacy or the right
to practice religion. Maybe even the debate over the wording in the Pledge
of Allegiance could be debated. Take a look around for issues that impact
young people and their freedoms, and examine them with a reporter's microscope. Web Resource: Ian
Itani's story The
Bill of Rights Curriculum connections:
Culture, Government, Religion, Sociology
Cloning Morality The House of Representatives passed a bill Feb.
27 to ban human cloning. The measure imposed a $1 million fine and a 10-year-prison
sentence on anyone found to have cloned human beings. Supporters of cloning
research say cloned embryos hold potential cures to scores of diseases,
but opponents to cloning say embryos should not be sacrificed for the
sake of research. Seek out students and professors for a fresh perspective
on cloning. Do they believe the benefits of cloning could outweigh the
moral implications? Web Resource: Cloning Curriculum Connections: Culture, Government, Religion
Disaster Preparedness A recent survey conducted by Harris Research found
that 72 percent of Americans do not have a disaster plan in place, and
74 percent do not have a disaster supplies kit stored safely in their
home. Talk to students to see if their families have a disaster plan or
disaster supplies. See what motivates them to do so or what keeps them
from doing it. Review what Homeland Security recommends for disaster supplies.
Offer interviews with security experts who can recommend what a personal
disaster plan should look like. Web Resources: What
Ridge recommends: Sample
Plan American
Red Cross Plan Curriculum connections: Social Studies, Political Science, Health
Week of 3/3 - 3/10
Carnival Brazil's largest festival, Carnival, runs from
March 1 thru Fat Tuesday, March 4. In America, thousand of people head
to New Orleans to partake in Mardi Gras parties there. Does your town
have Carnival activities? What do they include? What is being done to
increase security? What were the preparations? What is the economic impact?
What are students doing to participate? What are the origins of carnival
and Mardi Gras? So many questions, so little time. A colorful, invigorating
story awaits. Curriculum connection: Social Studies.
Cost of War The federal government is preparing to mount a
war with Iraq that will cost, by one estimate, $95 billion. Conduct research
to find estimates on the cost of war. Compare the cost to your state's
government budget and see what the same amount of money would buy for
your state. How many schools could the state build? Relate the cost of
war closer to home by comparing the operating budgets of all the schools
in your area with what it costs to go to war. For example, how many sports
cars could you buy? How many CDs? Such a story will give younger viewers
a good perspective on the cost of war. Web Resources: A
$95 Billion War Officials
Consider the Cost Curriculum connection: Political Science, Statistics, Math.
Horsing
Around A 12-year-old cowgirl who went up against men twice
her size in the horse competition at last month's Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo, gave the men quite a competition. At just 85-pounds, McKenzie
Mullins competed in the World Finals against 14 men. Her story, though
inspirational, may not be one-of-a-kind. Do you have such a story in your
own community - a story of a young person going against incredible odds
and really proving him or herself? Search your school and region for such
a person. Tell the story to your television or newspaper audience. Such
a profile is always a crowd pleaser. Web Resources: American Cutting Horse Association
Rock On Scientists estimate that more than 1,000 asteroids
0.6 miles or larger are always present near the Earth's orbital path.
If one of these asteroids were to strike the Earth, it would be enough
to cause global devastation. Several researchers advise against informing
the public if an asteroid impact became imminent. The idea is to avoid
widespread panic. This "ignorance is bliss" stance upsets those who hold
that impending global destruction is the public's right to know. What
do your peers think? Develop a story along this issue. Should the truth
be withheld when imminent danger is at hand, especially if no solution
is in sight? Do people want to know when they face a wide-scale threat?
If global or even nuclear destruction is imminent, should the government
have an obligation to tell? You are sure to find many different opinions
that could spark an interesting debate. You may also want to consult a
geologist or earth science teacher for a technical perspective on this
matter. Web resource: Asteroid Curriculum connections: Earth Science, Government, Sociology.
Flight Check The government is attempting to institute a controversial
automated background check of any person that purchases a commercial flight
ticket. Under the new system, each passenger would be assigned a "threat
level" based on the background check. The American Civil Liberties Union
is calling the plan unconstitutional, saying it is an invasion of privacy,
and could be prone to errors that might brand innocent people as security
risks. Consider a story about what such a check would include and what
people think about it. Would the plan''s potential effectiveness be worth
the threat some groups say it has to constitutional rights? What are the
potential drawbacks of the plan? Try to include perspectives on people
who fear they could be unfairly assessed a high security risk because
of their ethnic or national ties. Web resources: CNN.com American Civil Liberties Union Curriculum Connections: Government, Law.
February 2003
Week of 2/24 - 3/2
Anti War Rallies Opposition against the pending U.S. led war in
Iraq has risen to a feverish pitch. Thespians have organized against it.
People around the globe staged anti-war protests on the Valentines Day
weekend. As many as 300 cities participated and called for peace. Even
so, many people do support the effort to force Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein to fully cooperate with nuclear inspectors or face the consequences.
What is the sentiment of students in your school? Conduct a poll and see
how they respond. Fill in the story with relevant background on the United
Nations Security Council and the stand-off between the United States and
Iraq. Web Resource: Global Peace Protest Curriculum connection: Current events, Social Studies, Political Science.
Humanitarian Aid Humanitarian agencies have expressed concern for
how a war on Iraq would impact their resources. Some 45 agencies and governments
met for a two-day conference Feb 15-16 in Geneva to focus on the logistics
and resources of humanitarian aid and the exchange of information in the
event of a conflict in Iraq. While the U.S. did not attend the conference,
the previous crisis with 911 seriously taxed humanitarian aid groups domestically.
Talk to humanitarian aid groups in your region. Ask questions about their
efforts to prepare for a war. Build a story on the importance of what
the agencies do and illustrate how they could be impacted. Curriculum connections: Health, Social Studies.
Entrepreneurship Some colleges and universities have begun to adapt
to the hard economic times by offering degrees that teach students how
to create jobs rather than find jobs. Many students are innovative and
respond well to entrepreneurial challenges. Consider the colleges in your
areas and see what type of self-employment programs are being offered.
How have students responded to them? What do students feel about the economic
outlook post graduation? Are they worried about being able to find jobs?
Would they consider working for themselves? What kind of ventures would
they pursue? Web Resource: Student
Entrepreneurs Curriculum connections: Business, Economics.
Church & State Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is well known for
his battle in state and federal court over the right to display a monument
of the Ten Commandments at the state Judicial Building in Montgomery.
In November of 2002, a federal court ordered him to remove the monument,
deeming it to be unconstitutional. Moore's stance represents the age-old
debate over how far to take the separation of church and state. Is this
an issue in your community? How have schools in your area addressed it?
Explore the key proponents and look for vocal representatives on both
sides of the debate. Examine the opinions of fellow classmates on whether
they think separating religious symbols and/or practices from schools
has an impact, either negative or positive. Would they prefer things to
be different? Do students want to have more room for religious expressions
at school? Web Resource: About the Decision Curriculum connections: Culture, Government, Sociology, Religion
Skipping Class A Miami County, Ohio, judge recently handed down
an unusual sentence to a Troy, Ohio, mother. The woman was sentenced to
two days in junior high school with her habitually truant daughter. While
this is an unusual judgment, it highlights the problem with truancy that
many schools face. Talk to school administrators and get a handle on the
truancy issue in your area. Seek out comments from a judge who hears truancy
cases. Try to interview students who have habitually skipped school. What
factors have contributed to their behavior? What repercussions have they
faced? What does the truancy law require? What is the parent's responsibility?
Explore some of these questions in your story. Web Resources: Philly
Truancy Grading
Parents Curriculum connection: Social Studies.
School Lunch Are lunches served in schools nutritional enough?
Some parents and researchers don't think so. Antonia Demas, a Cornell
University-trained nutritionist who directs the non-profit Food Studies
Institute in New York says that schools can do more by making nutrition
a critical part of the curriculum. Demas has found that children eat too
much junk food, that they don't eat dinner with their parents and that
they are experiencing such health consequences as constipation and behavior
problems because of poor eating habits. In many cases, junk food like
pizza and French fries are included in school lunch menus when government
subsidies for more nutritional choices are available, according to Demas.
Attempt to find out the reasons why in your story. Examine a week's worth
of lunches at a local college or secondary school. Talk to a nutritionist
about the menu. Where do menus skimp on nutrition? Why do menus skimp
on nutrition? Where could improvements be made? Talk to students to see
what they really want to eat. Maybe you will find that they don't want
to eat nutritional foods and wouldn't pick them if they were on the menu.
A talk with administrators might lead to a budgetary understanding of
why menus aren't more nutritional. Web Resource: Health Science Curriculum Connections: Home Economics, Nutrition.
Week of 2/9 - 2/15
Chinese New Year Chinese New Year began on Saturday, February 1,
and lasts for 15 days. 2003 is the year of the Goat (black sheep). Much
of Asia shuts down for two weeks to participate in celebrations, which
often include colorful lion dances. Cities outside of Asia mark Chinese
New Year as well. Study the customs observed in relation to Chinese New
Year and videotape any celebrations occurring in your area. Research the
significance of naming lunar new years after animals. What do experts
expect this year to bring? Have fun with this lively festive occasion.
It could make a colorful video presentation. Web Resources: Background: Chinese
New Year Year
of the Goat New
Year Travel Curriculum connection: Social Studies, Culture.
Valentine's Gifts Roses and chocolate are commonly exchanged tokens
of love and affection between people during Valentine's Day on February
14. Visiting merchants to talk about anticipated sales is one approach
for a story during this time. Stories about dating and finding the right
mate are also appropriate for this season. This is a topic you can have
lots of fun with. Consider conducting a man-on-the-street survey to find
out the worst and best Valentine's gifts. Web Resources: Gift Idea Center Online Dating Searching for a soul mate Curriculum connection: Social Studies, Math
Reality TV Shows Reality television shows are all the rage. There
are dating shows ("The Bachelorette" and "Joe Millionaire"), elimination
shows ('Fear Factor" and "Survivor"), and talent shows ("American Idol
2" and "Star Search"). What has been the impact of these shows on how
people view themselves? Do the shows shape public morality? Do the shows
create a "warped" sense of reality, and if so, what consequences might
that have? Do they bring out the worst in people? When discussing shows
like "Fear Factor" and "Survivor," you might ask students what they would
be willing to do for money. Would they eat live insects? Would they stab
a friend in the back? Regarding dating shows, how far would students go
to get the guy or girl? Or, should people just lighten up and look at
the pure entertainment value of reality shows? Web Resource:Reality Television Links Curriculum Connections: Culture, Mass Media, Sociology, English
The New flu A new strand of influenza virus, or the flu, affected
thousands of school children this season and forced schools to close in
several states. At least two school districts in Kentucky and four in
Tennessee closed for short periods of time. Schools in Georgia, Indiana,
Missouri, Iowa and Mississippi also reported a rash of sick students.
Talk to a public health expert and find out more about this pesky new
virus. Include details in your story that could help explain why common
illnesses like the flu and common cold spread so easily and what could
be done to avoid catching them. Can flu shots help? Why don't more young
people get them? Are students more susceptible to the flu? Make this story
as educational and informative as possible. Web Resource: Flu Shuts Down Schools Curriculum connection: Health
Week of 2/2 - 2/8
Wi-Fi It's
being touted as the next tech craze -- Wi-Fi -- wireless, high-speed access
to the Internet. People can use wireless technology to access the Internet,
especially in public areas like airports, train stations, coffee bars and
hotels. New versions of products, such as portable phones, MP3 players,
digital picture frames and toys, will soon be Wi-Fi compatible. Find out
how the technology works and produce a story that explains it and the fascination
surrounding it. What do young people think of the technology? Will they
use it? What are the problems associated with using Wi-Fi? These are questions
that could be explored in a story. Visit a retailer that has a Wi-Fi station.
Interview users. Talk with technology experts. The reporter who does this
story is bound to learn something interesting in the process. Web resources: A
Review: Wireless
networks go public
Potential Problems Explored: Researchers
clain to crack wireless security
Boingo: 802.11b has reached
escpe velocity Curriculum connection: Technology, Science.
Sticky
Information How safe is the information you delete from email
and computer hard drives? Perhaps not very safe at all. The information
doesn't completely disappear, and if someone tried hard enough, they could
probably retrieve those files. Graduate students at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology recently purchased old hard drives on Ebay and
were able to retrieve previously deleted information ranging from pornography
to credit cards numbers, and even old love letters. Is this an invasion
of privacy? Get responses from your peers. Talk to people who are well
acquainted with computers, e.g., technicians and programmers, to see what
computer users can do to avoid this type of information retrieval. Do
research to find examples of what the potential for damage could be if
deleted information fell into the wrong hands. Also, go online and see
how many used hard drives you can find. Finally, try to get the perspective
of crime investigators to see if computer information retrieval plays
an important part in their work. Curriculum connections: Law, Technology
Iraq Troop Call Ups The U.S. has sent an estimated 125,000 U.S. personnel
from all branches of the armed services to the Persian Gulf region in
preparation for a possible war with Iraq. Another deployment order affecting
some 16,000 sailors and about 17,000 U.S. Army troops was made January
21, according to Pentagon officials. Has the deployment of troops to the
gulf had an impact on your community? In what ways? Maybe you can find
and interview people who are expecting to be deployed and videotape their
preparations. If your community has been impacted in other ways by the
military activities, this would be a good time to develop such a story. Web Resource: Bush says it's clear Iraq isn't disarming Curriculum connection: Current Events, Political Science.
Ode to the Presidents The birthday of George Washington, the first U.S.
president, is February 22. The birthday of Abraham Lincoln occurs on February
12. But President's Day, which celebrates both these men's birthdays,
is observed on February 17. U.S. government agencies and banks observe
President's Day. Not all U.S. companies recognize the day by letting employees
have the day off. Find out why not and write a story that looks at the
reasons behind such decisions. With this calendar item approaching, you
might also examine what people actually do to recognize President's Day
besides take the day off. Curriculum connections: American History, World History, Civics.
January 2003
Week of 1/26 - 2/1
The Coldest Winter This winter has been the coldest in years according
to meteorologists - not just in the United States, but also in other parts
of the world. In Asia, government officials have said that the winter
weather has claimed over 1600 lives. At least 250 people have died in
Moscow in what is being called the worst winter in decades there, Russia's
Itar-Tass news agency said. Greece is also experiencing its worst winter
since the 1960s. What has been the situation in your area? What perils
have been caused by extreme cold that could be interesting to report in
a story? Web Resources: Winter Weather (Special Report) Curriculum connection: Science
Groundhog day-Superstitions Groundhog Day, which takes place on February 2,
is possibly the most superstitious holiday of the year. On this day, observers
watch for a groundhog to see if he spots his shadow. If he does, there
will be six more weeks of winter weather, or so the saying goes. The observance
of Groundhog Day originates with the Delaware Indians, who considered
the groundhog a sacred creature, and has prospered into grand festivals
in town like Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Use this occasion to explore
other superstitions. Conduct a man-on-the-street poll to see the different
superstitions that people have. Also see what they think of the Groundhog
Day superstition. Web Resources: Groundhog
Day Groundhog links Curriculum connections: Social Studies, History.
Anti-War Sentiment A growing number of Americans appear to be opposed
to any war effort against Iraq. Protestors have conducted anti-war protests
in several major U.S. cities, and some city councils have even passed
resolutions to go on record against a war with Iraq. What has been the
response in your area? According to a recent Pew poll, 53 percent of Americans
surveyed said they were unclear on President Bush's reasoning for using
military force against Iraq. Still, 76 percent of those surveyed said
that military action would be necessary if any evidence of nuclear, biological,
or chemical weapons were found. Ask students for their opinion. How do
they think war would affect them? Curriculum connections: Government, Current Events, Social Studies
Visitors Registration The United States Justice Department has imposed
a controversial program that requires thousands of men visiting from mostly
Muslim nations to register with immigration authorities. The National
Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) has already helped detain
suspected terrorists and international criminals, according to U.S. Justice
Department officials, but the system has as many opponents as it has supporters.
Find out who is not happy with the policy and why. Find out if people
in your town think the program is necessary. What's the perception on
whether or not it will be effective in thwarting future terrorist attacks?
Seek out interviewees who might be directly affected by the policy and
make sure you include their perspectives in your story. Maybe explore
a larger political context, such as the image of the United States that
this policy portrays to potential Muslim immigrants. Web Resource: Justice Dept. defends alien registration Curriculum connections: Government, Social Studies, Current Events
Hispanic Population The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Hispanics have
become the nation's largest minority, surpassing the African-American
population for he first time. The Census from July 1, 2001, showed a population
of 37 million Hispanics or Latinos living in the U.S. and 36.2 million
African Americans. The percentages become somewhat skewed when considering
multiracial Hispanics (37 million) against multiracial African-Americans
(37.7 million), but clearly, the Hispanic population has seen great gains.
As Hispanics grow in numbers so does their influence. In what ways has
the Hispanic population become more prevalent in your community? Perhaps
Hispanic businesses have seen significant increases. Maybe the voting
strength of Hispanics proved to be a factor in your area's last election.
Whatever trends have emerged, explore them more thoroughly and commit
them to a video news story or a web story. Web Resources: Census Website Census Teaching
Materials Curriculum connection: Social Studies, Math
Week of 1/19 - 1/25
Know Your Vitamins The Food and Drug administration has begun an initiative
to make available to the public better information about food and dietary
supplements. Even though the FDA doesn't officially approve supplements,
the initiative could keep supplement makers from making false or misleading
health claims. It is further designed to help consumers prevent diseases
and improve their health by encouraging food and supplement makers to
better label their products. Consider a story about how well informed
or not teenagers are about nutritional supplements. Research certain supplements
to learn their health benefit claims. Ask experts to analyze the claims
based on scientific evidence. Ask students whether they use the drug for
the proclaimed benefit. See if labeling is important to them. Web Resources: FDA Website Center for Food Safety & Applied
Nutrition Website Curriculum connections: Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Health.
Dicey Donors Three schools -- the University of Missouri at
Columbia, the University of Michigan and Seton Hall University of South
Orange, NJ have something in common - they all have accepted donations
from benefactors whose reputations are now soiled. Missouri named a professorship
after Kenneth Lay, formerly of Enron. Michigan has two buildings named
after Alfred Taubman, the fallen former chairman of Sotheby's auction
house. And Seton Hall has removed the name of Robert Brennan from a student
center after he was sent to a federal prison for bankruptcy fraud and
money laundering convictions. When universities accept gifts from donors
who later get nabbed for committing a dicey deed, what is the impact on
the school and how should schools respond? Has your school had to deal
with a similar situation? Describe it in a story. Consider the ethics
involved. Get student reaction. Consider the broad issues in such a story.
The Foundation for Independent Higher Education could be a good source
of information. Web Resource: Donor disgrace Curriculum connections: Business, Current Events, Social Studies, Political
Science.
On Being Fat The Jan. 8 edition of the Journal of the American
Medical Association released a study saying that being overweight at age
20 can cut up to 20 years off a person's life. On Jan. 7, another study
was released showing that a 40-year-old person who is also overweight
will generally die three years sooner than someone of average weight.
If so much is at risk from improper diet and exercise, why are people
still abusing their bodies? That's the burning question. Consider a story
that asks students what contributes to their own bad eating and exercise
habits. See if they even think about becoming overweight and to what extent
does it influence decisions. Visit a dietician, a personal trainer, a
physician and find out what societal or cultural ills contribute to bad
diet and poor exercise. After completing your research, you could have
a very interesting story to tell. Web Resources: Study: Being fat at 40 cuts years off life Curriculum connections: Health, Physical Education, Psychology, Food Science.
MLK The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national observance
is Monday, Jan. 20. Take this time to profile people in your community
who represent the ideas that Dr. King championed: unity, freedom, tolerance,
understanding, inclusion, community responsibility, etc. What civic leaders,
community leaders, parents, even student leaders come to mind? Do a feature
story that illustrates the work they are doing that stands out. Ask them
to expound on the importance of their work and why it matter in the community.
Get others to comment on the work. This story can be full of images and
sounds, depending on the characters chosen for the piece. Web Resource: MLKday.com The King Center Curriculum connection: Social Studies, American History.
Whatever it Takes Some schools offer students huge incentives for
getting high scores on standardized tests, rewards which could include
money, bicycles, even TVs and video games. The idea is to encourage students
to do better on standardized tests, which could improve a school's state
funding. Does your school have a similar practice? Are scores up or down
since the practice began? Conduct some research and compare test scores.
Note changes. Interview principals, students and teachers about the benefits
and consequences of offering such incentives. Many teachers are split
on this. Some say students should not get incentives to score well on
tests, but rather the incentive should be personally motivated from within.
Report your findings in a story Curriculum connection: Education, Social Studies.
Week of 1/12 - 1/18
The Year in Review Do a story that looks back at the main events of
2002 for our area and around the world. do lots of reearch and make sure
you get different perspectives on the year's past events. Pull out that
old video and use the shots that will help people remember the events
in your story. Curriculum connections:
Current Events, Journalism, Mass media,
England Up in Arms In December, the Federal
Appeals Court in San Francisco upheld California's Assault Weapons Control
Act, ruling that there is no constitutional right for individuals to keep
and bear arms. The 3-0 Dec. 5 decision declared that the 2nd Amendment
protects only the right of states to organize and maintain militias. It
is at odds with the position of the Bush administration and a 2001 decision
by a federal appeals court in New Orleans. The decision in California
is an opportunity to do a story on the right to bear arms debate. What
is the feeling in your state about the right to bear arms? What is the
next legal step? Curriculum connections: Law, Social Studies, Civics.
Favorite TV Shows What were your favorite TV Shows in 2002? Ask students
on your campus for their opinions and use surveys and graphics to show
the results. Talk to experts to see what makes a TV show work or not work?
Write a story about what students in your area like to watch on television.
You might compare your local responses to a national survey like the one
conducted by TV Guide. Their picks for best of 2002 included: "24," "CSO,"
"Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Sopranos," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Friends,"
"Gilmore Girls" and "Alias." Web Resource: Curriculum connections: Culture, Math, Mass Media, English.
Worst TV Shows While getting reactions about favorite shows, ask
respondents to list what they think were the worst TV shows last year
and of all time. For better polling, you can set criteria for rating the
shows and give it to the respondents before you ask their opinions. Seek
out the comments of an expert, like a media studies professor who can
talk about the factors that have changed TV shows over the years. How
are shows different today from 10-20 years ago? TV Guide editors rated
the worst shows of all time in July 2002. Among their list were: "The
Jerry Springer Show," "My Mother the Car," "The Howard Stern Show," "Hogan's
Heroes," and "Baywatch." Web Resource: TV Guide.com Curriculum connections: Culture, Math, Mass Media, English.
Drug Abuse Survey The "2002 Monitoring the Future" survey released
by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed a decrease in teenage smoking
and drug use from 2001 to 2002. The survey tracks smoking rates and other
substance abuse rates of 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students. The NIDA
has tracked student drug abuse since 1975. Last year's study was significant
in that it showed a continued spiral in the use of Ecstasy, which significantly
declined for the first time after rising rapidly in recent years. Find
and review the study and brainstorm with a reporting partner about ways
to add a fresh new angle to a teen drug use story. Also, find out if the
survey responses are different across genders. Web Resource:
Monitoring the Future Curriculum Connection: Life Science, Sociology, Health, Culture.
Weeks
of 1/5 - 1/11
Schools out for holidays.
December 2002
Week of 12/29 - 1/4
Fireplace Ban California's state air regulators in the San Joaquin
Valley have proposed a ban on traditional wood-burning fireplaces. The
new rules require most wood-burning fireplaces and stoves to be banned
in new homes. Masonry fireplaces would have to be permanently disabled,
converted to natural gas or upgraded to expensive soot-containing models
before homes could be sold. Also, on bad air days during the winter, many
Central Californians would be prohibited from lighting up their existing
wood-burning stoves and fireplaces in a concerted effort to get the smoggy
valley to comply with the Clean Air Act. A handful of other California
communities have passed similar laws, including Petaluma, Los Gatos, Saratoga,
and Palo Alto, as well as Denver, Colorado, which already has a similar
law in place. For schools in affected areas, consider doing a story about
how families are coping with the new rule. Curriculum connections: Business, Environmental Science, Government.
Skinny Pill A new product called "Skinny Pill for Kids" is
being targeted to overweight six- to 12-year-olds. The product is made
from a mix of minerals, vitamins, and herbs. Its creator calls it "a safe
solution to the very real risk... created by juvenile obesity." Some dietitians
and doctors dismiss the pill because it could reinforce the focus on thinness.
These pills are not subject to FDA trials since they are marketed as a
supplement. Do more research about the new product and examine what physicians
in your area can tell you about it. What do students think about the pill?
Explain the impact and effects of "Skinny Pill for Kids" in your story.
