PS 165 Robert E. Simon School: Global Scholars Academy, Upper West Side, Manhattan, District 3

Mike Winerip, Adam Canfield of the Slash: A newspaper writing workshop.

Behind the Book thanks Columbia Community Service for their support of our programs at PS 165. We'd like to especially thank Limarys Caraballo, doctoral student in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, for her help with curriculum development for the Newspaper Program.

Visit 1: February 24, 2010
Visit 2: March 10, 2010
Visit 2: March 24, 2010
Visit 4: April 14, 2010

Seventh grade students read Adam Canfield of The Slash by Mike Winerip, a Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times journalist. The book describes the adventures of Adam Canfield, editor of his middle school’s newspaper, The Slash, as he investigates potential front page stories, and uncovers one of the biggest stories in the history of his school and neighborhood.

Mr. Winerip visited the class four times over the course of the program, to teach the students about investigative journalism, and to guide them through the creation of their first school newspaper. The students worked on the newspaper as a class and in smaller investigative teams of three or four students. Each seventh grade journalist received a journalist notebook and a press pass that allowed them special access to school administrative personnel. Stories covered a range of topics from the student body’s opinions about school lunches, to the academic and extracurricular offerings of local middle schools. Their investigative methods included surveys, interviews and research.

Students learned the real power of journalism when as a result of the interview with the assistant principal, where the journalists pressed for an explanation as to why the 7th grade hadn’t been allowed to have a themed dress-up day, the school administration decided to grant students permission for a Pajama Day in May. Another article about school uniforms prompted the administration to allow students two choices of pants colors.

Mike Winerip helps the class pick out a name for their student newspaper. .........................................		The press pass worn by The Paw Print staff, which gives them full interview access throughout their school.
Becoming a journalist is enough to make anyone smile!		Mike Winerip sits with students as they discuss ideas for their articles.

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