Students Learn the Scoop

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent  

Assistant Principal and teacher Melanie Sorochan’s Grade Three Class at St. Martin’s Catholic School learn about the various forms of information in print media. On February 20, they had a lesson on the Vegreville News Advertiser.

On the smartboard, Sorochan had a copy of this newspaper and asked the students what they noticed about the front page while the kids said that VNA has been serving the community for 78 years. They also saw the ads and Sorochan told them that businesses can share how to access the services people through advertising here. The kids also shouted that the article stood out and discussed why they felt that it did.  

Next, Sorochan explained how the first and second pages gave the page numbers to the main articles.   Sorochan walked the children through the steps on how to find the articles they want to read while explaining the different parts of the articles where she said the captions describe what is happening in the photos concisely, as well as, giving credit to the person who captured the picture.

She went on to describe how the headline needs to be interesting to grab the readers’ attention. After this, each student chose a partner where they received a newspaper and participated in a scavenger hunt where they highlighted the articles Sorochan asked them to find.

On how they incorporate newspapers into their classes, Sorochan explained that their new curriculum has different ways to explore media and texts in the classroom. “We had different lessons about writing newspaper articles. I think it is important to find a place for the newspaper now with it being in digital format; that is why I had it on the smartboard so they know that it can be seen on the internet besides having the print copy of the newspaper delivered to their homes.”  

Print vs. digital: why print newspapers still matter

 Although print newspapers may seem outdated in the age of smartphones and digital media, they remain invaluable, especially in schools. In celebration of Newspaper in Education Week, which occurs annually during the first week of March, here are three reasons why print media is still important.

 1.      It’s tangible

Unlike the endless scroll through countless screens of online news articles, print newspapers boost reader engagement by offering a tangible reading experience. The act of holding the paper and physically turning the pages allows for a more immersive experience. This hands-on approach can help students hone their critical thinking skills and better understand how information is structured and presented.

 2.      It’s credible

Nowadays, almost anyone with an internet connection can create and share content online, which makes it hard for readers or viewers to know what’s true. In contrast, print newspapers go through a rigorous editorial process, ensuring a high level of accuracy and reliability. Additionally, journalists must adhere to a code of conduct requiring them to share only credible and verified information. By using well-researched and fact-checked newspapers in the classroom, teachers can help students learn to distinguish reliable information from misleading content.

 3.      It’s timeless

Unlike digital files that can become corrupted or lost with changing technology, print newspapers provide a snapshot of major events for future generations. A printed front page from today will one day offer insight into the feelings of the time. This can spark classroom discussions about how news reporting has evolved over the years and how societal issues are reflected in the media.

 This Newspaper in Education Week, take a moment to reflect on the lasting impact and significance of print newspapers in education.