WOODBURY – Students at Woodbury Middle School are preparing to start an exciting new unit focused on journalism. Each year, Adam Brutting’s 8th grade classes engaged in what he calls one of his most “positive experiences” for his students.
Brutting’s journalism unit introduces students to the world of reporting, news writing, and how journalists share important stories with their communities.
“The goal of the unit is to get the students experience with a different type of writing (journalistic style) and to understand the process of writing a journalism story,” says Adam Brutting.
“This process helps them prepare for interviews, create interview questions, identify how to ask follow up questions, organize their information, and put that information into a well written, engaging journalism story,” says Brutting. “It also helps them learn how to write without bias, and find sources that are reliable, knowledgeable and truthful.”
In preparing for this unit, students have started discussing what journalism is and why it matters. Additionally, students appreciate seeing the expectations of writing at the high school level.
“I think it shows us a perspective on Nonnewaug,” says eighth grader Keria O’Leary. “This unit shows us middle schoolers what we are going to get into in high school”.
Journalism plays an important role in society because it helps people stay informed about events, issues, and stories that affect their daily lives.
Throughout this unit, WMS students will learn how reporters gather information, ask strong interview questions, and write clear, accurate news articles.
Nonnewaug High School journalism students make a yearly trip down to WMS to inform the students what they could be getting into if they sign up for the class in the following year.
The field trip goal is to recruit willing eighth graders to join the journalism elective. A key voice in making this experience possible for both high school and middle school students is veteran NHS journalism and history teacher Kyle Brennan.
“The Chief Advocate trip to the middle school has really helped us build up our program at the high school,” says Brennan. “The trip captures the attention of some of the eighth-grade students who end up becoming great high school journalists.”
Relating to the current program, most journalists belonging to Nonnewaug High School have found their love for journalism through the eighth grade unit.
“Most of our current editors as upperclassmen signed up for journalism as freshmen thanks to our eighth-grade trip,” says Brennan.
Many students are excited about the opportunity to act like real journalists for the time being.
“I think it’s a really good experience,” says Autumn Shurgrue, an 8th grader at WMS. “Because it can really prepare you for the class next year.
Some are especially interested in covering school events, sports, or student achievements.
“[Im covering] the difference between the crowds of girls and boys sports,” says Keira O’Leary 8th grade student and basketball player at Woodbury Middle School. “I want to do it because I think it’s important that both teams get the same hype and get to experience the fun of crowds.”
By the end of the unit, students will have a better understanding of how news stories are written and why responsible reporting is important.
The journalism unit will give WMS students the chance to develop writing,communication, and critical thinking skills that can be useful both in school and in the real world.
Students from years prior remember the importance of the unit and look back on their time writing pieces in hopes of getting their work published on The Junior Chief Advocate section of NHS’ student newspaper site.
“It was a very fun unit,” says Charlotte Medonis, a 9th grader who last year wore the honor of having one of her stories posted on the site. “It was a good way to start high school-like classes.”
