Curriculum Map

Journalism & School Paper

Become a reporter, editor, and publisher. Learn interviewing, news writing, fact-checking, visual journalism, and digital publishing — then produce your own school paper. Connects to ELA writing skills, critical thinking, financial literacy, and ethics.

14 Units

Early Units (Foundation)

Building Skills

Advanced Concepts

Capstone/Synthesis

What Makes Something News?

Learn the difference between news, opinion, and entertainment. Understand what journalists do and why it matters for communities.

3-4 days

Finding Stories in Your World

Great reporters don't wait for news to happen — they go looking for it. Learn to spot story ideas in your school, neighborhood, and community.

3-4 days

The Interview: Getting People to Talk

The interview is a journalist's most important tool. Learn how to prepare questions, listen actively, and get people to share what they really think.

3-4 days

Writing the News Story

News writing follows a specific structure: the most important information first, then supporting details. Learn the inverted pyramid, the Five Ws, and how to write a lead that grabs readers.

3-4 days

Opinion vs. Reporting: The Line That Matters

Learn the crucial distinction between reporting facts and expressing opinions. Both are valuable — but mixing them up destroys trust.

3-4 days

Bias, Framing, and Fairness

Every story is told from a perspective. Learn to recognize bias in reporting — including your own — and practice fair, balanced journalism.

3-4 days

Fact-Checking: Trust but Verify

In a world of misinformation, fact-checking is a superpower. Learn to verify claims, check sources, and separate truth from fiction.

3-4 days

Visual Journalism: Pictures Tell Stories

A photograph can change the world. Learn the basics of photojournalism, infographics, and visual storytelling for your school paper.

3-4 days

Following the Money: Financial Reporting Basics

Some of the most important journalism is about money. Learn to read budgets, understand basic financial data, and report on how money flows in your school and community.

3-4 days

Analyzing Current Events Like a Journalist

Learn to analyze breaking news with the same frameworks journalists use: context, causes, consequences, and competing perspectives.

3-4 days

Community Reporting: Your Neighborhood Has Stories

The best journalism starts close to home. Learn to report on your school, neighborhood, and local government — the stories that affect your daily life.

3-4 days

Digital Publishing and Ethics

Publishing online is powerful — and permanent. Learn the ethical responsibilities of digital publishing, from privacy and consent to corrections and transparency.

3-4 days

How Newspapers Make Money (Or Don't)

Journalism costs money to produce. Learn how news organizations are funded, why so many are struggling, and what happens to communities when local news disappears.

3-4 days

Your Paper: The Final Edition

Everything you have learned comes together. Plan, write, edit, and publish a complete school paper — news stories, opinion pieces, photos, and all.

3-4 days

Learning Progression

This course is designed to be taken sequentially. Earlier units establish foundational concepts that later units build upon. While you can explore units in any order, following the numbered sequence provides the most coherent learning experience.