From an educational standpoint, the newspaper works exceptionally well as an instructional and educational tool in any classroom. Students who use newspapers in the classroom begin to comprehend world events, international politics, and local news. Children and teens that use the newspaper will learn to develop empathy for people in varying circumstances and in return, will be able to better understand and cope with the human condition. Students will begin to ponder subjects such as the mysteries of nature, science, the physical world, or health and fitness.

The Medicine Hat News website provides educators with ideas and lesson plans that focuses specifically on how to incorporate the newspaper in a variety of subjects.

On a practical level, students who read the newspaper can:

• Sharpen family living skills
• Develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities
• Examine and use information presented through charts, graphs, pictures, and words
• Use leisure time well; manage money, property, and resources
• Practice and understand the principals of health, safety, and nutrition
• Gain information needed to make career decisions
• Appreciate culture and diversity

Most of all, developing a desire to learn! This will expand horizons and broaden one's educational experience for a lifetime.

The Educational Needs a Newspaper Meets:

Critical thinking skills, retention, and transfer of learning...
Thinking skill – earning to apply, analyze, and evaluate information are tools that every educator aims to impart. The Medicine Hat News can meet these educational needs in a number of ways. Students may be asked to read articles and summarize their main points by writing headlines, track the reporting of a major news story to understand events in chronological sequence, devise the best way to advertise a used car for sale, or interpret the symbolism in an editorial cartoon. Students who become enveloped in the events of daily life attach a sense of immediacy and involvement compared to exercises they might otherwise dismiss as just "schoolwork."

Learning is an active rather than passive process...
Participation activities can take an active role in helping students learn. Children and young teens do not simply read The Medicine Hat News, they may be asked to cut apart comic strips, draw their own political cartoon, underline action verbs, comparison shop, write an editorial, or evaluate world wide current events. Moreover, learning is something that will occur both in and out of school. With the newspaper, parents and educators can take part in a student's well-rounded educational experience by using a "living" and very "active" textbook as one way to teach a wide variety of subjects.

Motivation is a key element to learning...
In general, individuals do not learn unless they experience some urge or motivation to do so. Children and teens in particular, do best with materials that matter to them that are relevant to their everyday lives. Science and math, for example, become more alive when students can approach these disciplines by reading reports about snowstorms, space flights, and football games. The Medicine Hat News then is a "real-life reference" for teaching what otherwise might be abstract concepts. The Medicine Hat News helps bridge the gap between the textbook and the real world, which can leave a lasting impression in any child's education experience.

Newspaper use adapts to all learning styles and techniques
The Medicine Hat News contains information written at a variety of reading and subject levels making it suited for individualized instruction; advanced students might analyze political endorsements in editorials, while those who need help with the basics, might practice sequencing skills by using comic strips. The newspaper gives students many opportunities to practice and review what they have learned in class and from their textbooks. Even reluctant learners will practice reading material that interests them, such as the sport scores, movie times, comic strips, etc. The Medicine Hat News is very adaptable for every grade level, any age group, and every type of student, providing children and teens with the opportunity to excel in a subject they have been studying or improve on a concept they do not yet understand.

Reading, Writing, and Computing - The Basics
Mastery of the basics is enhanced with newspaper-related activities. The Medicine Hat News provides an abundance of interesting reading material on a daily basis. Students can begin to develop writing skills by creating headlines and photo captions or news and feature story writing assignments. Grocery ads may be the source of computation exercises. Preschoolers can practice letter identification, while high schoolers can concentrate on reading comprehension. The possibilities are endless with the newspaper and definitely worth your time.

Using the Newspaper in the Classroom is a Teaching Strategy that Works!

Professional educators know that variety is the spice of classroom life. Teachers who use several different strategies have an increased chance of sparking student interest in the subjects under consideration. And as a rule, higher interest means greater student achievement. The Medicine Hat News offers interesting alternatives to traditional practices. Though The Medicine Hat News may reflect themes and topics common with those in textbooks, The Medicine Hat News continually provides new examples and applications. The Medicine Hat News can stand alone as a teaching tool, or it can be used as a supplement to their instructional techniques.

How to get started?

Starting your NIE subscription is as simple as calling Gail Jansen, NIE Coordinator, at 528-8630. Newspapers will be delivered to your school on a scheduled weekday for the special price of $.26 per copy.