Newspapers are simply the best source to learn about current events, and even television realizes that: When a TV documentary wants to show that an event really happened, they show newspaper front pages. No documentary about the Pearl Harbor attack fails to include the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's Dec. 7, 1941, cover, the best-known newspaper page in history. Newspapers in Education:
The call to serve studentsBy Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.comAnd so, teachers routinely assign students to look over newspapers to keep abreast of current events.
"It's a very, very valuable tool," explains Stan May, half of the Star-Bulletin's husband-and-wife team running the Newspapers in Education section.
"But teachers also need to look beyond current events. There's so much more to it than that. Students who read the newspaper regularly also learn about sociology, popular culture, sports, politics, the government, science -- even math!"
Even a brand-new textbook is a couple of years out of date by the time it lands on a student's desk, said May. "Imagine trying to keep up with the Middle East or Bosnia or Hawaii politics with the textbooks currently available," said May.
Students also routinely use the Internet for research purposes, and starbulletin.com is the only Hawaii newspaper site that archives past stories.
"One thing that's changed over the past few years is that more and more kids are being home-schooled, and parents are contacting us directly or in groups asking how to use newspapers as a teaching tool," said May.
Even though the Star-Bulletin is technically a year old, it has been involved in the NIE program since the 1960s under previous management.
"We're one of the oldest NIE papers in the country," notes May, who joined the program in the late 1970s, taking over from retiring Barbara Edwards. Wife Carol May came on board nearly a decade ago.
"We do it because we love talking to students and educators," said May. "I do most of the newspaper tours and information and newsletters to the schools, while Carol is the one who visits the schools directly and organizes the journalism contests."
When the Hawaii Newspaper Agency was dissolved last year, the Mays joined the Star-Bulletin. "I understand that the morning newspaper did hire someone to replace us, but it's like competing against yourself, because we designed the program!" laughed May.
The Star-Bulletin NIE phone number is 395-7645.
The Star-Bulletin Newspapers in Education program offers: ABOUT THE PROGRAM
>> A speakers bureau to visit schools and talk with students about the newspaper -- what's in it, how it's produced, kinds of writing, journalism careers and more.
>> Morning editions of the Star-Bulletin delivered to school at special VIP rates.
>> New educational materials and packets geared for our local styles and local needs -- free!
>> Workshops for teachers designed to meet specific needs by grade level and subject.
>> "Breakfast Serials" -- an unpublished, serialized children's book printed a chapter at a time every Monday.
>> A page that spotlights Hawaii high schools, featuring stories and photographs submitted by students.
>> A weekly feature created by students called "What's Hot, What's Not."
>> Sponsor of the State Science Fair.
>> Co-sponsor of the State High School Newspaper contest and awards luncheon.
>> A monthly newsletter called "Special Delivery" sent at no cost to all schools on Oahu and participating schools on the neighbor islands.
>> A two-week Teacher Institute offered every summer with the University of Hawaii Outreach College.