Outreach

Nubian News Volume One, Issue Four
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Middle School Students Write Editorials

Greetings to all The Nubians Info readers! This week our young journalists focused on writing editorials. Students were given the choice of reading articles from Time and The New York Times UpFront (teen) magazines or the Columbus edition of the Call & Post newspaper. Then they were asked to answer three questions:

• What information is the author trying to get across?
• How does the information relate to you?
• What information would you change about the article?

The students were challenged with reading controversial, pop culture, art, and entertainment articles and critically evaluating the writing of a professional journalist. Our CAEC journalists did a GREAT job in recognizing the pros and cons of the professional news stories as they read about issues that persuade readers. Thank you for reading our last issue for the summer. Enjoy!

Pay Me for Getting Good Grades

Antoinette Zhane' Bradley, 6th grade

Today I read the article "Cash for Grades, by Joseph Berger. He talked about the fact that the mayor in New York is going to pay the children to get good grades. I think that he wrote that article for many reasons.

I believe that the author wrote this article because he wants to inform people about what the mayor in New York is doing. It is telling us that kids should get paid for doing what they are supposed to do in school. I can understand if he wanted to pay the kids that have always been doing well, but paying kids that have not done anything since they were in school in just not right in my opinion. Some people may think that paying kids to get good grades is good because it encourages them to do well in school. The author also wants you to know what is going on in the New York school district.

The article that he wrote relates to me because I for one am a middle school kid, and I get very good grades. There is a difference between me and some of the kids in New York because I get good grades because I have to and it is important to me. I don't get them because someone is dangling something in front of me telling me that if I get good grades they will give me some money. I know that everyone would like that but it is not fair to me because I work hard and some kids don't do anything and still get paid for doing nothing. The kids that do nothing probably get paid more money than the kids that do the right thing and I think that it should be the other way around. I believe that the mayor should pay ONLY the kids who have good grades. They should also pay the parents who interact with the school and need the money. Gas is high and the cost of food is going up so the parents could really benefit from this. The money could really help the kids who do well, and if they want to go to college they will have money for college.

The thing that I want to change is the way the money is distributed. I think that it really needs to go to the people who need it. So that is my opinion on the problem.

Will Racist Americans Hurt Obama's Campaign?

Devante Jackson, 6th Grade

The author's purpose is to tell us that Obama's election is starting to help our nation by breaking down race barriers. This information relates to me because when I was in elementary school there was a barrier between "lames and "populars. Two-eighths of our school was neutral. The popular students picked on the lames by putting hand sanitizer and ink on their seats.

The article could be changed a little. The author could have told us what Condoleezza Rice means by "race barriers. What races are being discriminated against? Condoleezza Rice could have hurt Obama's campaign by speaking out and saying that he is helping race barriers come down. To racist Americans this might throw away all the work that they put forth and might affect their voting choices. This could make race relations worse. People might protest to have Obama impeached for unfair reasons, like his race.

Andre Williams Speaks About the Jam at Jefferson Park!

Andre Williams, 7th grade

I will tell about you about the Call and Post article, "Nothing Jams Like Jefferson Park, by F.A Hoover. I think the Jefferson Park article is great. Hoover is talking about the event to let people know. Also to make it interesting so that more people will want to come to this event next time. Finally, the sponsors let kids and their parents hang out and have fun.

This information relates to me because I went to this event and had a very great time. The food was very wonderful and the cupcakes were outstanding. This event helped me to get my parents off of work and to come with me. Finally, my dad got to spend some quality time with me.

The thing I would change about the article is the picture that they had. They should have had pictures of the people that went to the concert, and not the sponsors. Also they should have put some of the races that had happened at this event.

The things that happened at this event were very fun, from the obstacle courses to the games. This article made me very happy.

The Model

Morgan Yarborough, 7th grade

The newspaper article I read was "Top Model Casting Call Draws Hundreds to Eastland Mall. It was written by Chris Writer.

I think the author's purpose was to get young and sexy 18 years old and up to be models for the Victoria's Secret store. The girls had to walk the runway and take photos in different ways. He writes about girls and why they want to be models. One girl said "She is a size 10, and I am a size 18. They said that she is too big to be a Victoria's Secret model.

The information relates to me because I might be a model. They should not do that to a big girl. I think that people of all sizes should be able to model. I think that people should be able to be anything they want to be. I think that big girls should be able to walk down the runway and be cute!

Be Independent

Kaysha Prunty, 8th Grade

India should not imitate America's innovations when it comes to car inventions. They should not copy America's car culture for the world's benefits, and its own benefits as well. They have come up with some kind of American-like vehicle, and named it as an Indian innovation.

This is how is relates to me: I think the two meanings of independent and individual are the same, meaning doing something on one's own. India has come up with other vehicle types such as motorcycles, Mustangs, and Cadillacs. India would rather have expensive cars. Why? Because they've decided that if they make the cheaper cars, it would overwhelm India's already strained road system. So in an opinionated conclusion to teach you a lesson: be independent and do what you think is best for you, and not someone else.

Aborigines

Elisha Muhammad, 6th grade

The author's purpose for writing this article in New York Times Upfront magazine is to inform. The author is Tim Johnston from Sydney. He is talking about why the Government said sorry to the Aborigines for what they did to the Aborigines from the 1860s to the 1970s. They are trying to acknowledge that they are sorry for treating them unfairly. They did not mean to be mean.

The information does not relate to me. They put the children in this place were they couldn't see their family. I am always around my family, even at school, because my sister and I go to the same school. They did that because it was part of a policy to "breed out of color.

I would not have changed this article that I read because it was really interesting. I wouldn't change it because they are saying sorry and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the people said that the apology will help the Australians unite better and I agree.

Is the Movie "Juno Coming to the Real World?

Lanees Moore, 7th Grade

Principals at "Gloucester High School are getting worried about the number of pregnant teenagers that attend the school. Right now, there are 17 girls that are expecting babies. That's more than they had last year. People are blaming movies like "Juno and "Knockedup for glamorizing young unwed mothers, as Kathleen Kingsbury said in her article, "Postcard: Gloucester.

The Treatment of Obama

Breonna Sealey, 7th Grade

For many years people have talked down to African Americans. But now that an African American man wants to try and make up for all of the down talking, people judge him and make false comments about him. The article entitled, "New Yorker Cover and Obama Myths: Challenge or Underscore? by Ike Mcbatogu, explains how Barack Obama is being talked about, negatively. People are saying that he is not a "true American. But the only "real Americans are Native Americans. I believe that he will, if elected, make a fantastic president.

Like Barack, I have been discriminated against. I was once at a gas station and a Caucasian lady thought that I was going to take something. So she watched me and told me if I wasn't going to buy anything I had to leave. This relates to him because we were both judged before people got to know us.

I feel that they should have included some of the positive things about Obama. They should have even added in how he plans to change things. I haven't heard anything about John McCain lately. Around the world people are coming together in unison, encouraging Obama's campaign in the election. I'm not telling you who to vote for. I'm just saying make the right decision in November.

What Do I Think About Teen-Drinking?

Jami Muhammad, 8th grade

I am writing an editorial about an article from Time magazine called "This Ain't No Wine Cooler, by John Cloud. I know everyone thinks that this article will not be appropriate for our student body. However, it is. Just keep reading!

The author of this article is trying to tell the reader about teen-drinking and what causes it. Some alcoholic drinks have "catchy phrases and slogans which captures the young people's attention. We may think the drink is cool and tasty because of its name. But in reality, it kills your brain cells. I really think we need those for learning and getting an education, right?

Hitler Comes to Power

Michael Hartway, 6th grade

In this article, the author's purpose was to tell you information about Hitler, his evil plans, and his desire to rule the world. Hitler was in power during the 1930s.

This information relates to me because the skin-heads don't just hate Jews, they also hate blacks. Knowing this makes me feel disappointed and upset. I also think Hitler was an evil person, but we should still learn about him.

If there is anything that I would change about this article it would be to add information about\ the torture that went on with the Jews. I think that it's important to learn about these acts so that people will know what happened in the past and will change the future.

China's Olympic Problem

Gabriel Jackson, 6th grade

The author's purpose in the article "China's Olympic Challenge, by Jim Yardley, is to tell us about the genocide happening in Darfur and Tibet. Tibet is located in China and therefore if people are being killed in China, others from around the world will not want to support the Olympics. This relates to me because I am an American and Americans are participating in the Olympics and we want to win the games, but if we don't participate we will not be able to win. Also the Olympics could be postponed for a while if people don't support it. If I could change one thing about this article, it would be to offer more solutions to this problem because if we don't offer solutions, the Olympics may be cancelled.

What Age for Voting?

Mykaila Johnson, 7th Grade

In an article titled, "16 Candles and a Ballot?, by Pam Belluck, there's news about lowering the age to vote. The author's purpose for this article is to explain how the U.S. is deciding whether to let 16-17 year olds vote. The author is explaining the states and countries that already have early-age voting. The author is also informing the audience about how adults feel about the idea of early-age voting and how it affects America's people. This article relates to me in many ways. Some people in this article agree that the U.S. should let teenagers vote. Phyllis Khan quoted, "If we trust them to drive at 16, then why can't we trust them to vote? On the other hand, some people disagree with teenage voting. They say that young voters aren't mature enough to vote. That relates to me because I am mature enough to vote and I know what is going on in the presidential race. I know all of this and I am only 12 years old.

I would change this information in a few ways. In this article, it says that teenage voters aren't mature enough. That could be changed by saying that teenage voters need more information to vote. Saying that teenage voters aren't mature is hurtful to people who take things seriously and personally.

Our Money

Stacey Holland, 6th grade

Have you ever heard of getting money for grades, well New York has! I think the purpose of this article is that some kids think they do all that work just to get a "congrats from their mom or dad. Now they might think "Hey, I should get some cash for this hard work I am doing.

This really relates to me because I'm in school and I am in need for some money. I would change this information by telling the readers that the money for grades law is in Ohio. I think that "Cash for Grades is a great article that Joseph Berger has written.

A Change for Cuba

Chari'Ana Backner, 6th grade

"So when Castro stepped down on February 19- after outlasting nine U.S. Presidents—it clearly marked a turning point for Cuba says James McKinley, Jr. in an article called "Cuba at the Crossroads from The New York Times Upfront magazine. The author's purpose for this selection is to inform us of the changes in Cuba. The author is giving information to tell us that the President of Cuba, Fidel Castro has decided to give his power to his brother Raul Castro, and will it be a change for Cuba.

Gas Prices

Shavianna Black, 8th Grade

I read "Over a Barrel, an article from the magazine, The New York Times Upfront by Jad Mouawad. This author's purpose was to inform everyone about gas prices. He says that "it's costing people a lot more to gas up their cars. Gas prices are rising above three dollars. Also, "how sky-high oil prices affect everything from what you pay to fill up your tank to American influence around the globe.

Maybe you like going places, and your parents are probably complaining about how high gas prices are. Well, me to. This relates to me because I like going places but my parents always complain that gas is so high. Sometimes I wish cars ran on water so they would not complain so much. Maybe then I would get to go more places.

In this article I think the author should have talked about how different cars take a larger amount of gas, like trucks. They take almost more than $100 to get a full tank. Also a lot of parents are in debt and NEED to pay their debts. I know someone who lived all they way in the country, but he had a job all the way at Columbus Steel on Parsons Avenue. He lived pretty far and had to come all the way to the inner city to work. This story is an example of gas prices making it hard for people to get to and from work. The cost of food has gone up and basically you have a choice, either to buy food for your home or buy gas.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I hope you learned a lot about why we should really look out for gas prices.

Doctor's Help

Jaiilyn Alexander, 8th grade

After reading the article "Talking with Your Doctor, which is a message from Scholastic and The National Institute on Drug Abuse, I found out that many people should really talk to their doctor about how their bodies may be changing. Many teens and adults feel that it is wrong or embarrassing to ask certain questions. The doctor should be happy to answer your questions no matter how embarrassing the questions are. Your questions can never be wrong. You may even want to write down your questions so you could ask when you do go to the doctor.

You may even want to get the RIGHT facts. The reason I say right facts is because many people are making up myths about the body, drug abuse, and alcoholism. The doctor knows best. Sometimes you may not be comfortable to talk to your doctor but that is perfectly normal. I can relate to a lot of people like this because I am sometimes embarrassed to ask questions, but after reading this article I feel that if you don't talk to your doctor and something is wrong you could get hurt.

This article informs others that it is important to let your doctor know what is going on with your body and how it develops. Even though this article is informative, the author doesn't mention how many people don't have health insurance. A lot of the time getting into your doctor's office costs a lot, I think that may be the reason many people don't go to their doctor.

The Nubians Info Summer 2008 Pilot Project Experience

For the past three months, The Ohio State University's Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing (CSTW) staff have been working with a group of enthusiastic 6th, 7th and 8th graders at CAEC on a newspaper project. Working on The Nubians Info has been a tremendous learning experience for all parties involved.

In the début issue of The Nubians Info, the journalists wrote brief autobiographies introducing themselves to their readers. They reflected on their school, their passions, and their writing. Their pieces portrayed a wide variety of talent and taste and set the bar high for the following issues.

Over the four week curriculum, students had a crash course in journalism and editorial writing, computers and file management, hip hop and creative journalism writing, and being change agents. They not only improved their writing but also their typing, their creativity, and their critical thinking and close reading skills. They learned to value the opinions of others and to provide constructive criticism through weekly peer reviews of each other writings.

The tremendous success of The Nubians Info would not have been possible without our group of 33 eager young journalists, the always helpful Mama North and Mama Toure, and the cooperation of teachers like Mama Alexander and guidance counselor Mama Callahan as well as the CAEC administrative staff. We would like to thank all students who showed an interest in this pilot project and produced wonderful pieces of writing every week. Although some students were unable to participate in the project on a daily basis due to their school class schedules, most worked at home or in school...and most of them worked extra hard on the last day before The Nubians Info went to press! Congratulations everyone! And Keep Writing!!


OSU-CSTW Staff:
Melissa Crum
Monika Kearns
Tanisha Jackson (layout/design)
Project Director Nancy Hill McClary