What is NIE?
An
introduction to Newspaper in Education
The Newspaper in Education program at
the Watertown Daily Times is part of
an international effort to educate young people about the value of the daily
newspaper as a survival tool and a vital part of our democratic society.
Teaching students how to use a newspaper is a life skill, for it enables them
to continue their education throughout their lives. It is the only major "text" the
majority of them will continue to read as they mature.
The premise of the Daily Times Newspaper in Education (NIE) program is to use the daily newspaper as a teaching
tool in many different academic subjects.
NIE is not
meant to add material to the curriculum but to be integrated into existing
curriculum so that teachers can meet Wisconsin education standards by using the
newspaper.
Why
should I use newspapers in my classroom?
The newspaper can be a dynamic
teaching tool. It is instructional and
versatile. It is a real-world
resource. It contains history as it
happens, practical math and vocabulary, and good models of writing for students
of all abilities and ages. It offers
students valuable, up-to-date information on numerous topics.
Used as a supplement or as a primary
text, it can be a gold mine of lessons in basic skills and life skills. The same lesson, in most cases, can be
adapted to fit multiple grade levels.
The newspaper is inexpensive and the most
current textbook you can buy. Unlike most learning materials, it also can be
cut, pasted, folded and marked, not possible with a traditional textbook.
The newspaper is innovative and
motivating. Because it contains
"real world" subjects, it can provide the link between classroom
theory and reality, a link students need to make their lessons meaningful. The newspaper also contains a wide range of
subject matter to appeal to almost any student's interest.
RESEARCH
SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WHO READ THE NEWSPAPER EVERY DAY...
* vote in
every election
* have a higher income
* are four times less likely to have a
police record
* are ten times more likely to
volunteer in their community
* have children who excel in school
and go to college
* are known to be well read and are
great conversationalists
Source:
Newspaper Assoc. of America
