What is NIE?
Newspaper in Education (NIE) is a
cooperative effort between Hood County News, Granbury
Independent School District and a number of local
businesses. The Hood County News provides copies of
the newspaper to the school for use in the classroom as an
instructional tool. Local businesses cover the cost of
these newspapers through sponsorships of the program.
Curriculum materials are also provided to help schools use
the newspaper as a meaningful resource for student learning.
Currently the Hood County News is able to provide
these services to students in grades K-5 at no cost to
teachers. Teachers of higher-grade level classes may order
copies for their students at a reduced rate.
Several studies have shown that children and/or adults who regularly read a newspaper demonstrate significant gains in reading skills. A study conducted by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) Foundation in 2002 showed that students who use newspapers score significantly higher on standardized tests than do students who do not.
The weekly newspaper provides a dimension of local news and the opportunity to relate to the student’s own life as well as the lives of family and neighbors. Community news is important to the functioning of our democracy because most citizen involvement occurs at the local level. The earlier an individual is exposed to opportunities to serve within their community, the desire to help others develops more rapidly and with greater strength.
In addition to providing newspapers to schools for text material, the Hood County News includes a full page of youth oriented activities entitled Kid Scoop in its mid-week edition. This weekly feature was developed by a former teacher and contains standards-based activities in every subject from reading to math to science to social studies and more. Kid Scoop is a flexible teaching tool that can be used in countless ways based on individual teaching preference and style.
To join our partnership in education, call (817) 573-7066 and ask for NIE Coordinator Martha Pyron
Why use newspapers?
Many issues and topics in the community newspaper mirror
students' interests, make the newspaper relevant to their
world. NIE makes teaching and learning with the newspaper
even easier with sponsor-paid newspapers and specially
designed curriculum guides and student worksheets. NIE
provides students with hands-on learning activities and
innovative ideas that turn the newspaper into a multipurpose
learning tool. Newspapers provide students with an exciting
addition to textbook learning.
The newspaper is a unique tool. Name a subject and today's paper covers it in some way. It is suited for teaching at any level., from Kindergarten students to adult education. Newspapers are the most up-to-date inexpensive textbook there is. They bridge the gap between classroom and the real world. Newspapers can help students become informed and responsible. Newspapers are motivational and produce positive attitudes toward reading. Everyone can find something they enjoy in the newspaper. Newspapers help students to not only read well, but critically. Once children learn how to use the newspaper to gain information, they have a tool for life.
Support Newspaper in Eduction
Hood County News is forming partnership to benefit Hood
County schools through the Newspaper in Education (NIE)
program with corporations, local businesses, organizations,
subscribers, educators and parents.
Your donation can help provide students with the tools they
need to succeed. One hundred percent of your donation pays
for newspapers at a reduced cost, allowing your NIE gift to
buy at least twice as many papers for students than would be
available at a non-NIE subscription rate.
How you can sponsor NIE:
Individual Contributions: Individuals can contribute to
NIE through cash donations of any dollar amount to help
support a classroom, local school, or many schools through
the Newspaper in Education program.
Subscriber Bill Donations & Vacation Donations: Subscribers can include a donation to NIE when paying their
subscription each year. Or subscribers may ask that their
newspapers be donated to a local school while they are on
vacation.
Corporate Sponsorships: As a corporate sponsor, your
business is recognized for participating in a program that
enhances education and literacy in our community. Because
many of the newspapers go home with students, parents are
exposed to the program and your
role in making it possible for their children and teachers.
NIE sponsorship is an inexpensive way to increase visibility
and awareness in the community while making an investment in
the future by preparing a literate and productive workforce.