by ROCCO MAGLIO
Public and private school teachers, as well as parents of homeschoolers, digital learners, and e-schoolers, can request a Hernando Sun newspaper for each of their students free of charge. Teachers can request a newspaper for every student since we encourage them to have the students take the newspapers home after using them in a lesson. We also understand that with the threat of COVID-19 many teachers do not want to reuse newspapers with different classes and we encourage them not to.
The newspapers are provided free of charge via a 501c3 program called Newspapers in Education. The Hernando Sun receives generous donations that allow us to provide the newspapers free of charge to expand students’ reading experiences. In today’s world with the onslaught of screen time, unplugging and reading a newspaper or book can provide unexpected joy. There are different textural feelings and the layout can be visually quite complex.
Not only do you receive a free newspaper, but you also can receive a teacher’s guide with ideas on lessons that can be incorporated with that week’s newspaper. The teacher’s guide contains ideas that are geared to students from elementary to high school.
The content in the newspaper is local, so it could be about people or places that are familiar to the students. It might also spark their interest in participating in local government since the decisions being made have great effect locally. A topic coming before a local board may spark an interest and inspire a student to speak before that board during public comment. This involvement can lead to a feeling of empowerment and involvement in public affairs.
Many students get their local news from friends and social media. This means that usually, the information that they receive is incomplete and sometimes completely false. Newspaper coverage is often more in-depth and should explain both or more sides of an issue.
For younger children, comics and puzzles can provide a gateway to reading. They may become interested in the newspaper because of children’s activities and then become further interested in the lists of upcoming events. Personally reading the comics is a fond childhood memory.
Requesting free newspapers for students is as simple as going to https://www.hernandosun.com/nieregistration and filling out the form. If you have questions you can call us at 352-900-5147.
