This past week as we began to design and layout out the “hard copy” newspaper, I allowed the newspaper staff to determine how they, as a group of reporters, would capitalize the stories’ headlines.
Using our local newspaper as an example, we noted that the trend has been to not capitalize words unless it is the first word in the headline or unless the word is proper.
They were all in agreement, though. Surprised me.
The newspaper staff of The Spirit of the Pioneer agreed that their headlines should abide by the proper grammar rules for capitalization.
Now that is enough to almost bring a tear to a true-blue, hard-core English teacher. Yes, they made me so proud!
Thus, in our newspaper and as reiterated by Writers.Com, the following Associated Press capitalization rules will rule:
- Capitalize the principal words, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters.
- Capitalize an article (”the”, “a” and “an”) or a word of fewer than four letters if it is the first or last word of the title. (In other words, the first and last words of a title are always capitalized.)
Nice to work with rule-abiding students!
Tags: Newspaper
This week, my English 11 began the research process…with a cross-curricular connection: this paper is both for our class and their US History class, as well as for possible entry into the National History Day competition. Ah, the possibility of a trip to Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, DC!
The topic: The Individual in History. What person has had a significant impact on society, on history?
The assignment: Gather four sources, create the bibliographical information, annotate the article, and determine whether each article is a primary or a secondary source. (This resource can be found at the above link.) Could be sources on four different individuals; could four sources on just one individual. The student determines the variety as he/she finalizes the selection of the person who is to be the focus of the research paper….or documentary or exhibit or performance or website, for the student also chooses the format in which to present.
The reaction: Everybody likes a good deal, right? A two-for-one deal. A grade for English, as well as for history class. The light bulbs began to go off when I mentioned that!
I was really proud of their reactions. For while I struggle with how to fit all aspects of the Language Arts curriculum within my allotted timeframe, I also realize that these are some very important skills that my students must learn to utilize: to learn how to learn.
Tags: English 11 · Research
