INNISFAIL – There are several components to writing a good news story.
Grade 8 students at Innisfail Middle School are learning about writing news stories thanks to a three-week journalism project in March, with the help of the Innisfail Province and Great West Digital.
It is the second consecutive year for the Grade 8 journalism project.
“Last year was a great experience,” said Amanda Oslund, teacher. “It (was about) interacting with the community and showing my students that there are people out there that do important jobs.”
Oslund said there are 24 students in the class participating in the project this year, which will focus on news writing instead of news production.
Innisfail Province editor Johnnie Bachusky, reporter Kristine Jean and multimedia sales rep Jennifer Bath-Yofonoff with Great West Digital, all shared their expertise and helped students with a class assignment on March 7.
“So much of the language arts outcomes (and skills) can be (covered) by writing a paper and going through the process of writing,” she said. “It’s just a great opportunity for the kids to see other people and professionals in front of them instead of just me.”
The journalism project will include three different sections and will be condensed from last year’s project, she added.
Oslund said the project provides an interactive way for students to learn and will focus on developing language arts skills, including reading, writing and listening.
One of the Grade 8 students is 14-year-old Kailyn Cruickshank.
“I learned how to put together the most important segments of a news story to make the whole article better and more professional,” said Cruickshank.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about writing and news stories,” she said. “I think (news) is really important because then you can learn what’s actually happening in the world and around your community. You’re more informed,” Cruickshank concluded.
