Danbury Students Explore the Field of Journalism

For an hour a week, 22 students in the sixth grade at Westside Middle School Academy learn the basics of journalism from asking the hard questions to getting behind the camera.

By the end of the year, these students will produce a news show and televise the documentaries on which they have been working to the rest of the student body.

The after-school program is the design of Dawn Bartz, a former journalist and WSMSA Global Studies theme coach.

The students’ success has encouraged the magnet school to incorporate the course into its curriculum next fall.

Bartz, who taught journalism at the high school and college levels for more than 20 years, not only enjoys teaching the subject, but also loves seeing students working hard doing something they are passionate about.

According to Bartz, middle school is an ideal time to teach students about journalism. Bartz said that lessons in journalism help students develop the higher-order thinking skills that they need not only in school but also in future careers and in life in general.

Lasya Josyula, a student said she aspires to work for a serious news outlet, such as the BBC. Another student, Lindsey Bieber said she is interested in reporting issues that have global effects, such as pandemics.

So far this year, the students have learned to be reporters and ask questions, such as the standard “who, what, when, where, why.” They have learned to work cameras and edit videos and have also shared roles on the set from director to producer to lighting crew.

For their documentaries, the students group in teams of two to five to write scripts and interview questions. Topics range from the Ebola outbreak to the school play and “A Day in the Life” of a teacher.

Guest speakers have included Barry Abrams, a producer at ESPN, who has given advice on how to create documentaries. Bartz said experts in the field like Abrams help motivate the students to be more innovative.

Images via Danbury Public Schools

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