WOODBURY- Every year, Woodbury Middle School’s eighth graders partake in their investigative journalism unit with the help of the Nonnewaug Chief Advocate writers.
As part of this unit, students will experiment with journalism through experiences like conducting interviews, taking photos, and writing news-worthy stories.
This unit is by far one of the most popular units among the students. They get to act as actual reporters and editors during classes. Olivia Bombero, an eighth grader from Woodbury Middle School, feels this is a main reason students enjoy it so much.
“It sounds fun to interview people and have the freedom to do things you wouldn’t normally do outside of class,” says Bombero. “It is very interesting.”
The unit provides more than just a fun few days of interviewing and running around the school getting information; it gives students the hands-on experience that it takes to be a journalist, and that unique experience gives them the boost they desire to continue on their journey.
“I think it provides an opportunity for kids to see what a unique course it is, and how it’s, um, interest driven,” says one of the two NHS journalism teachers, Conor Gereg. “Students can pursue personal interests, while also enjoying the human connection that journalism naturally provides.”
Bombero agrees: “I am really interested in taking Journalism next year. It sounds so fun and interactive and I feel like we could get a lot of freedom and privileges by taking it.”
Adam Brutting, an ELA teacher at Woodbury Middle School recognizes the correlation between the unit and the spark of interest in the unit.
“The numbers are at least 90 journalism students taking the class right now,” says Brutting. “I’d like to think that a part of that is the middle school kids who took this unit in eighth grade who are now interested in journalism.”
At the start of the unit, students are told to do their best at writing an article– you never know if yours could be one published on the Junior Chief Advocate page.
“I’d say [the publishing] is a highly motivating or intriguing factor,” says Brutting. “These 8th graders go on in this unit and see previous students whose names are on ‘famous’ articles and that captures their attention.”
Linneah Brennan, a freshman at Nonnewaug high school and previous 8th grader at WMS went through the investigative Journalism unit, and now takes the Journalism course in high school.
“When I first took it in Middle School, I didn’t even know this was an actual class at Nonnewaug,” says Brennan. “It introduced me to a class that would make school actually fun.”
Brennan enjoyed it so much, she couldn’t wait to take it in high school.
“When we went to register for classes, I immediately selected it because I knew I wanted to take it.”
Now, as this year’s 8th graders begin their Investigative Journalism unit, they will get their glimpse at what journalism will be like in high school.
“From what I’ve learned so far in this unit,” says Bombero. “I am really looking forward to what Journalism has to offer next year.”
