Start Your Own Classroom Magazine

As teachers of writing, we need to invent ways to engage students in writing.  A classroom magazine is a way for students to participate in an authentic writing task.  I am starting a classroom magazine in my class.  Join me!  

Below, is how I set it up.  I can't wait to get our first issue published.  The name of our classroom magazine is Evolve. I would love to know what you think!

Objective: Evolve magazine provides students with authentic writing tasks for real-world audiences and purposes.

Method: Evolve is a student-ran magazine. Magazine staff includes: publishers, editors, and writers.  Staff jobs are outlined in staff descriptions.  All students in Mrs. McManus’s classes are eligible to submit materials to be published. There are no limits on how many submissions a student can enter.

Magazine Contents: A variety of informational, opinion, and narrative pieces will be included in Evolve, including:

• Feature Article – There can be only one!  This is the best article submitted during current period.
• Poetry Corner – Any topic allowed. Must use correct poetry formatting (i.e. sonnet, limerick, haiku, etc.)
• Cartoon Mania– Students create paneled comics.  Comics may be informational or narrative.
• CCMS Editorial – Student writes opinion piece on topic of choice.  Student must reference at least 2 sources in article.
• Short Stories – Any genre is allowed.
• Informational/Explanatory – Students write article on any subject.  A minimum of two sources should be sited.

*all submissions are limited to two-typed pages.

Staff Descriptions

Publishers

The publisher is responsible for the magazine overall, from start to finish. They do not handle these areas personally, but oversees the editors who are in charge of each area.  The publisher must approve all materials before submissions are made to Mrs. McManus.  The feature article will be chosen by the publisher from all the submitted pieces. 

Editors

The editors are responsible for the editorial content of the magazine. The top editor is the editor-in-chief, who oversees all of the other editors. These editors edit the work submitted by writers for grammar, style, accuracy and length.  They choose the pieces for Evolve from materials submitted. They may work with writers to improve pieces. 

Editors include:

Editor-In-Chief

Poetry Corner Editor

Cartoon Mania Editor

Editorial Editor

Short Stories Editor

Informational Editor

Writers

Writers will vary for each magazine.  They will be chosen from the materials submitted to the editors.  Not all materials submitted will be accepted.  Materials not ready for current issue may be revised for future issues.