Writing an editorial. Conducting an interview. Speaking in public. Producing a television newscast. Your child could be engaged in these and many other similar activities as student journalists in the Communications Magnet Program at Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School.

Breckinridge-Franklin is partnering with Bellarmine University’s School of Education and the University’s Communications Department , WLKY,channel 32 and The Courier Journal to offer the elementary students a comprehensive, hands-on interactive learning experience that enhances their reading, writing, critical thinking, and communications skills. Students will have daily opportunities to apply those skills to real-world situations in simulated broadcast and print newsrooms.

Communications Fair

Every six weeks Breckinridge-Franklin has a Communications Fair. This fair is the culminating activity that showcases the communication projects the students' work on during the Power Hour sessions. Click on the link below and see the "Power Hour of Communications."

Check out the "Our Kids" video Windows Media or Quicktime

Student Newspaper

Breckinridge-Franklin students will write and produce their own newspaper. Students at all levels will participate in the production including ECE and Primary students. Intermediate students will have jobs. Early primary students can participate in shared writing activities that can be used as articles for the newspaper. Students will apply for jobs as reporters, editors, photographers, layout/design artists, or circulation sales.

Power Hour

This instructional period will be used to develop students’ communication skills. Topics may include oratory skills; video production; theater; expressive reading; photography; newspaper writing, editing or design; video broadcasting or production, or interpersonal skills.

Video Broadcasting

Students will produce an expanded daily in-school broadcast that includes the ability for them to videotape and edit segments that air on the morning broadcast. Fourth and fifth grade students also will be featured regularly on Our Kids, the school district’s nationally award-winning television show seen on KET and Metro TV. Students will apply for jobs as reporters, editors, camera operators, or on-air talent.

The Communications Magnet Program will complement the school’s small class size program. The average class size will be 20 students, beginning with the first grade, affording students more individual attention from their teachers. The Breckinridge-Franklin staff also is working closely with the University of Bellarmine staff to prepare students for continued studies in the middle school if they choose to pursue the field.

Power can be defined as the ability, skill, or capacity to do something. Give your child the power to become confident, capable, and successful students who can read well, write well, and express themselves. Enroll your child in the Communications Magnet Program at Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School—today!

For more information, contact Alicia Averette, principal, at 485-8215.

Edutopia
The George Lucas Educational Foundation

In our "Schools That Work" series, we're investigating what works at some of the most innovative, successful schools around the country. We're assembling their best ideas in a package of stories and hands-on tools that you can use to replicate some of their successes. Before we choose a school, we give it a hard look to make sure it delivers the kind of creative, effective, replicable practices that Edutopia can stand behind. Here's a quick look at our standards and the strengths we saw in the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. These ratings are based on the three schools in the district that we have spotlighted: Breckinridge/Franklin Elementary, Carrithers Middle, and Olmsted Academy North for boys.
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by Edutopia Staff

This article originally published on 12/23/2009