Michigan Reading Journal

Volume 24 Issue 1 Article 13

January 1991

Why Use the Newspaper?

Leonie M. Rose

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Rose, Leonie M. (1991) "Why Use the Newspaper?," Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 24: Iss. 1, Article 13.
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 Why Use the Newspaper?
by Leonie M. Rose, Ph.D.

Will Rogers often reminded his is happening. They can serve as a

audiences that "All I know is what I valuable update for the information
read in the newspapers." Today he contained in textbooks . Information is
would be amazed with just how much often two years old by the time texts are
one can learn from the newspaper. Not published and once adopted by a school
only is the newspaper an incomparable system, these texts are used for a period
source of information with news of years, thus becoming even more
features, sports, opinions, and articles outdated. For many areas of the
of interest to all age levels, but it is also curriculum teachers need more current
a valuable learning resource for both materials. Since the newspaper contains
teachers in the classroom and parents in new material every day, it satisfies this
the home. pressing need.
Newspapers are valuable because Newspapers are also the one text-
they contain information that is varied, book the majority of children will
up-to-date and interesting to students. continue to read throughout their lives.
The newspaper deals with what is Aliteracy is as great or perhaps a greater
happening in the world outside the problem than illiteracy in our society.
classroom. Newspapers provide more Both the International Reading
indepth coverage of events than Association and the Michigan Reading
television or the radio and present Association are dedicated to promoting
many sides of an issue. They provide effective reading instruction; but of
information students can use in their equal concern is fostering the "reading
daily lives from available jobs listings habit." There is no value in mastering
to information about fashion or skills if they are not used. The
recreational opportunities. Newspapers newspaper can be the ideal means by
are available in many homes as a source which skills and content that are
of reading material for both adults and learned in the classroom can be
children. They are convenient to use in transferred to a student's everyday life.
modeling reading behavior, encour- The appeal of a newspaper can
aging conversation and extending motivate many students to read who do
children's awareness of people, places, not respond to traditional instructional
things, and events. Newspapers can materials. It gets them started reading
allow children to read and talk about about subjects in which they are
their world. interested. Even so-called nonreaders
Newspapers have sometimes been sometimes turn out to be readers when
called living textbooks because they they find material that interests them.
deal with reality and record history as it Newspapers can supplement
learning in every subject and at every self-confidence in young adolescents
level, including adult education. and more common ground with peers,
Teachers have found using the parents and other adults.
newspaper in their classrooms is highly Most secondary students are be-
motivating to students of any age. coming increasingly concerned with
Researchers have found that using their futures and want the "real"
newspapers in the classroom can information the newspaper provides.
positively influence student motivation, Adolescents are beginning to wonder
attitudes, reading skills, math skills, what kind of world they will live in for
knowledge of current affairs and the rest of their lives. What scientific
classroom communication. Activities findings will affect their lives? They are
can be geared toward the needs of the concerned with their future respon-
emergent reader as well as the needs of sibility as citizens. Will they be able to
adult education. understand governmental policies and
Newspapers are ideal for such foreign relations? Will they understand
activities as coloring, underlining, the political issues in order to vote
clipping, pasting, and storytelling -- all intelligently?
of which may contribute to learning Students need to understand the
skills of reading, thinking, oral com- vital role the free press plays in our
munication, writing, and manual democratic society. Since informed
dexterity. Because newspapers deal participants are essential to the survival
with the world outside the dassroom, of a free society, schools should help
are familiar to children and can be students become intelligent readers of
effectively integrated into various newspapers by teaching them how to
subject matter, they can easily be interpret newspaper content critically.
incorporated into a whole language Educators know the importance of
classroom. teaching more than the basic skills. In
Newspapers are an excellent way to today's classroom, critical reading and
involve students in learning. Activities thinking skills are emphasized as well.
can be created especially for or adapted Using newspapers in the classroom
to the needs of special education provides an excellent opportunity to
students whether in vocabulary practice these skills. The newspaper
building, comprehension, life skills or business and the society we live in will
creative expression. remain healthy only if today's children
The daily newspaper is a rich learn to read, think and be curious
resource for many areas of the about the world around them. Today's
curriculum; therefore it can easily be students, perhaps more than those in
incorporated into an integrated the past, need to be adequately pre-
curriculum at both the elementary and pared to meet the challenges of our
middle school levels. Using the ever-changing and growing society.
newspaper in the classroom puts Newspaper in Education programs
students in touch with topics of adult continue to enhance newspaper read-
conversation and raises issues facing ership, develop better informed
the community or the world. Speaking, students and promote an under-
writing and math assignments take on standing of the free press that is vital to
new relevance for the student when our democracy.
based on real issues facing our society. The newspaper is also a valuable
Newspapers can also lead to greater tool in ad ult education. It makes
learning a practical experience. can learn that reading is something
Newspapers offer information for daily many adults do everyday for a variety
living such as grocery ads, coupons, of purposes and with a variety of
television and movie listings, events different responses to what they read.
calendars, recipes, classified ads, and Children need models. They do not
more. Learning to use the newspaper simply begin to read the newspaper.
gives adult learners a resource to keep Parents and teachers who are excited
them informed about their community about reading and who share with
and the world around them. Plus, others what they have read -- parents
newspapers are an adult medium. No who are more than a face behind the
student - adult or child - will be morning or evening newspaper and
embarrassed to carry a newspaper teachers who use newspapers as a
under his or her arm. means of enhancing the broad scope of
The newspaper is frequently the literacy -- are those models.
only reading material that parents
discuss with their children. Being Did You Know?
familiar with the news enables students
to engage in adult conversations, • Many newspapers will supply
thereby opening up communication classrooms with subscriptions
between them and their parents. at reduced rates or no charge.
Through school sponsored newspaper • Many newspapers have
programs such as Family Focus: Newspaper In Education
Reading and Learning Together programs already in
parents can learn new ways to use place; all you have to do
newspapers to encourage their children is ask.
to read, talk, think and develop a • NIE can be a year-round
lifelong interest in reading. Children program.

"Newspapers in Education" Strand

Conference Highlights
SUNDAY 3:00 "Using Newspapers in Your Whole Language Curriculum"
Shirley Vonderembse
3:00 "Using the Newspaper to Increase Parental Involvement"
Nancy Clay

MONDAY 8:30 "Read 'Em and Reap"

Dr. Lois Redmond
1:30 "Integrating Across the Curriculum? Use the Newspaper!"
Dr. Leonie M. Rose

TUESDAY 10:00 "NIE: Innovative Teaching"

Gwendolyn White Kirk
 • NIE Week is fun, and "fun"
motivates learning. Teachers Why Join
have a chance to explore
approaches and resources they
MRA/IRA?
may not have tried before.
• Michigan Reading Association
Student
will have a NIE strand at the
annual MRA reading
Metnbers Extoll
conference in March 1991. the Benefits
(continued from page 27)
REFERENCES
Amundson, K.J., ed. (1990). Family
professor, colleague, or friend cared
focus: Reading and learning
enough to explain the advantages and
together. Washington, D.C.: ANPA
shared publications with us.
Foundation.
At the Michigan Reading
Bauer, L., ed. (1988). Classroom
Association conference in March 1991,
activities for newspaper in there will be two sessions entitled,
education. Champaign, IL: "Student Reading Councils - Let's
Corporate Communications Establish a Network!" The purpose of
Department of the Champaign- these interactive sessions is to provide
Urbana News-Gazette. participants with ideas, information,
- - - - - - ( 1990). Newspaper in and contacts for establishing and
Education: Steering committee maintaining student reading councils at
guide. Newark, DE: International
Michigan colleges and universities.
Reading Association. Please plan to attend if you are a
Rhoades, L. and Rhoades G. (1980).
student member or faculty sponsor of
Teaching with newspapers: The an established council or a student or
living curriculum. Bloomington,
faculty member seeking information
IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational about organizing a student reading
Foundation. council. I am requesting that established
student reading council members or
sponsors bring copies of favorite
projects and/ or meeting ideas to share
with others. Hope to see you in Grand
Rapids in March!
 Grow Professionally!
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People .. .
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