Describes the production of a local history magazine by two advanced twelfth-grade English classes. Discusses difficulties encountered during the project, and offers practical suggestions for teachers considering such a project. (SV)

This issue of "Hands On" compiles edited papers and workshop presentations from the national conference on cultural journalism and experiential learning projects in the Foxfire mode. The conference brought together 200 teachers, students, and professionals and offered technical workshops, presentation workshops about specific programs,…

The history of Amityville, New York, compiled by 11th and 12th grade advance placement history students, is presented in journal form. Six papers focus on: (1) South Oaks: The Long Island Home; (2) A History of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Amityville; (3) Amityville: A Vacationland; (4) Amityville School System from 1904 to Present;…

Describes a failed attempt to develop a local history project within a high school American history course. Outlines a new enrichment course in which students work with primary source materials to produce a local history publication. (SV)

In addition to preserving the memory of one school year, high school yearbook staffs might consider creating and maintaining a reference room that contains the school's entire history. (RL)

Describes a high school project to compile a local history, including funding the project, developing interview questionnaires, taking interviews, and compiling the materials. Discusses results of the project for the students, teacher, high school, and county. (DHP)

Describes several experiential learning projects developed by gifted eighth grade students: drafting a "charter" for governing the classroom, creating a videotaped debate on current issues between generic Democratic and Republican candidates, producing a school newspaper, and researching the history of the school site. (SV)

Describes lessons and units that allow the author's high school English students to make important connections with members of their community, publish their efforts, and thus bridge the gap between young adults and their communities. Describes a "literary cookbook" (published and distributed in their community) in which each student wrote one…

Describes a project in which fifth graders researched the history of their school, interviewed people associated with the school's history, and created a booklet of school memoirs. Discusses problems overcome in each phase of the project, and offers practical suggestions on class management and project supervision. (SV)

Describes how an intensive journalistic writing course motivated students by combining journalistic writing with a school-history research project. (MM)

Describes a project in which eleventh grade Idaho students developed a magazine focused on local history and local Indian culture. Discusses interview procedures, photography, and layout. (SV)

Presents three articles that describe the use of storytelling and oral histories in junior and senior high schools: (1) a project that emphasizes family and community history using storytellers; (2) using tape recorders to gather oral histories and write a book; and (3) storytelling ideas for librarians to use in a variety of classes. (seven…

This paper introduces the medium of cultural journalism as an effective means of intensified basic communication training and community involvement. Part one contains a report of a needs assessment and a subsequent pilot project on cultural journalism that was conducted at an Oklahoma high school. The needs assessment also reports on similar…

Recounts the experiences of a California middle school class that produces an ongoing magazine of oral histories. The multilingual, multicultural, working-class students have interviewed hundreds of participants. In the process they have learned how to research, interview, transcribe, and publish. Includes sample transcripts from the magazine.…