Educator says newspapers can be a valuable learning tool for young people

As we head into National Newspaper Week, from Oct. 5-12, now is the perfect time to encourage young people to become interested in reading newspapers as a valuable learning tool, educator Terri Friedlander writes for Florida Today.

"The new Common Core Standards in language arts emphasize non-fiction reading passages," Friedlander writes. "The newspaper in education at every grade level expands children’s vocabulary, community awareness and more. In terms of careers, newspapers offer myriad opportunities beyond typical reporters. Digital designers, sales and marketing, information technology and finance are just a few."

"Two years ago, due to budget cuts and increased production costs, our quarterly student newspaper went by way of the typewriter and is now a distant memory," Friedlander writes. "Other schools also lost this voice for their pupils. In search of a method for the budding journalism students to editorialize and deliver school news, the creative teacher eventually located a sponsor to pay for a domain registration. After much experimentation, an online version began. All articles are written by and for the student body, but readership still remains questionable as the website is not part of their daily radar."

"Perhaps, reading the daily newspaper can be instilled as a worthy ritual for the next generation so the presses can keep on rolling," Friedlander writes. (Read more)