School Newspaper Adviser's Survival Guide

Last year I started our high school journalism program and was terrified! It had been so long since I had been on a staff myself. This book refreshed me and gave me tons of ideas for my class. It also helped me figure out how to structure teaching them what I knew! A very big help!!

As project manager for a new magazine by the school of business, I find the book especially useful to set-up item completion time-lines and structure multiple tasks for better coordination with our editor in chief. [Graduate Teaching Assistant]

I am using this book as a first-time school newspaper advisor. The book has printable worksheets and lots of helpful guides. I would suggest it being used for students who are at or above grade level, or doing the activities with partners, as many of the activities are very high level.

Having been a high school newspaper adviser (notice, "adviser" and not "advisor"?) for 8 years, I am like the other reviewer who wishes this book would have been available much earlier. As it is, my first year of teaching in 1993 included four preps: English 10 Honors, English 9, newspaper, and yearbook. (Anybody want to say "Year of Insanity"?) While I did survive, I struggled that year because the resources for publication advisers are very few. Starting almost from scratch and given very little in support, I ended up putting together my own bound journalism resource book, which is similar in many ways to Osborn's work. But the "Survival Guide" I bought last year is still worthwhile for me to have on hand because it has a number of "cool" sheets that can be photocopied. (Kudos for the wire spine that make turning pages and laying them on the photocopier simple!) Only those who have advised high school publications can fully appreciate the words of wisdom Osborn has because she has obviously been there, done that. Every principal should order a copy for the school's journalism teacher. I certainly plan on utilizing mine in the years to come.

Both the new and the seasoned newspaper adviser will benefit from this book. It is full of tips and advice to help journalism teachers to both monitor and challenge their students. The workshop units are well designed to teach beginning journalism students new concepts and allow advanced students to sharpen their skills. The format lends itself to easy incorporation into lesson plans and reviews. A sample style book is included which can be adopted and personalized for any high school. I only wish I had ordered this book earlier.