Newspaper in Education provides living textbooks

Newspapers Now is the theme to celebrate this year’s Newspaper in Education week March 2-6. The Newspaper Association of America Foundation Web site states that the newspaper has always been, and remains today, an important resource in people’s lives.

History

June 8, 1975 – The Portland (Maine) Eastern Herald published an editorial “Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools, and by the children in families. Try it for one session – Do you wish your child to improve in reading solely, give him a newspaper – it furnishes a variety, some parts of which must infallibly touch his fancy.”

1930s and 1940s – A handful of newspapers, including The New York Times began sponsoring programs on their own, including delivery of newspapers plus curriculum aids and teacher training. The “Living Textbook Program” was sometimes used to describe the program since a name had not yet been affixed to the school use of newspapers.

1950s – The school use of newspapers became a nationally supported program. Newspaper in the Classroom was established in 1957. Two people, Merrill Hartshort and John Haefner devoted more than three decades to guiding the national program.

1960’s – The number of newspapers sponsoring Newspaper in the Classroom passed the 100 mark.

1970’s – 350 newspapers sponsored local programs by the mid-1970s. Canada’s program was a vital picture, and in fact the Canadian Daily Newspaper Publishers Association originated a new title for the program, as we know the program today, Newspaper in Education, NIE.

1980’s – By 1989, more than 700 NIE programs were in place nationwide. The NAA Foundation and the International Reading Association joined to sponsor NIE Week each March.

1990’s – The end of this decade saw more than 850 NIE programs active at newspapers across the country.

2000’s – More than 950 NIE programs were participating by the new millennium.

Teachers may visit the NAA Foundation website, www.naafoundation.org, and print the 53-page guide which features 15 lesson plans, each with a student activity sheet. Also included in the guide are 15 elementary-level pages for younger students. Copies of the guide are also available upon request from The LaRue County Herald News, call Ramona Coffey, 358-3118.

During this NIE week, we would like to recognize our 2008-09 sponsors for helping bring 903 newspapers to students in LaRue County: Bank of Buffalo, Bault Oil Co., Inc., Dr. Douglas Baumgardner, Billy Howell Funeral Chapel, Campbellsville University, Choice Kut, City of Hodgenville, Cumberland Products, Duke’s Sporting Goods, Family Medical Center of Hart County, Geneva’s Florist, Hardin Memorial Hospital, Herb Jones, Hodgenville Housing Authority, Hornback Plumbing LLC, Kenley Conner, Kentucky Farm Bureau Ins., Kentucky Utilities Co., Lane Lincoln CME Church, LaRue Circuit Clerk, LaRue County Animal Clinic, LaRue County Attorney Dale Morris, LaRue County Board of Education, LaRue County Chamber of Commerce, LaRue County PVA, LaRue County Sheriff, Lee Realty & Auction, Lewis Auction, Lincoln’s Loft, Lincoln National Bank, Magnolia Bank, Maupin Construction Inc., W.L. Miller Magistrate District 4, Nationwide Uniform Corp., Nolin RECC, Phelps Heating & Cooling Inc., R & R Hardwood Flooring Inc., Rider’s Bestway, Roanoke Food Mart, Rolling Fork Christian Church, Shirley’s Fabric Shop, Southern States, State Farm Insurance (Becky Loyall), Sunrise Manor Nursing Home, LaRue County Judge-Executive Tommy Turner and all the individual subscribers.

Ramona Coffey coordinates the NIE program for The LaRue County Herald News. For more information or to make a donation, contact her at (270) 358-3118 or circulation@kvnet.org.