What is Newspaper in Education (NIE)?

NIE is an international program which has been in existence for more than 60 years. Teachers throughout the world use newspapers to introduce or reinforce concepts to students of any ability level in grades from kindergarten through adult education.

Newspapers aren't just for current events. Receiving the newspaper in a classroom is like having a new textbook each delivery day. Teachers and students study language arts, reading, math, science, social studies, consumer ed, journalism, life skills, critical thinking and more using newspapers.

Goals of NIE

To help students become informed and involved citizens who can determine and guide their own destinies in a democratic society.

To help students develop skills of critical reading by teaching competence in newspaper reading.

To provide educators with an economical, effective and exciting teaching vehicle for lessons in writing, history, mathematics, current events, consumer affairs, ecology and scores of other subjects and themes.

To foster students' personal growth through the use of the newspaper to provide information, entertainment and skills necessary for modern life.

Newspapers are successful learning tools because...

They can be used for any grade level, kindergarten through adult, and for any subject.

They are fresh, up-to-date and practical. They help bridge the gap between the textbook and the real world.

Newspapers provide students with many opportunities to practice what they have learned in class. Even reluctant learners will practice reading material that interests them: sports scores, movie times, comic strips.

Newspapers provide an abundance of interesting reading material on a daily basis. Newspaper-related activities enhance mastery of basic reading, writing and thinking skills.

Newspapers bring lessons alive. Exercises that are just "schoolwork" become exciting and fun when they require the newspaper. The lessons are more likely to be retained and are more easily seen as relevant. Plus, it's a textbook that can be cut or marked.

With newspapers, learning is something that occurs both in and out of school. Parents and teacher can take part in students' educational activities.

Newspapers can stand alone as teaching tools -- or they can be used as supplements to other instructional techniques.

NIE at The Casper Star-Tribune

The Casper Star-Tribune provides curriculum materials, staff to administer the program, and one-quarter the price of the newspapers.

We provide free teaching materials that are full of information and newspaper activities on a variety of subjects to teachers who are participating in NIE.

How teachers can participate in NIE and receive FREE curriculum materials

Teachers in elementary through adult education in The Casper Star-Tribune circulation area may enroll in our NIE program.

NIE papers are available Monday through Saturday in quantities of five or more.

The papers will be delivered to a predetermined location at your school early in the morning, (between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.). The key bundle has the teacher's name and tells the number of bundles for that day.

Each school year, all participating teachers may choose a curriculum guide from a list of 25 different titles. The titles and a summary of the guides that contain information, tips and activities for using the newspaper in the classroom may be reached from this link.

Throughout the school year, The Casper Star-Tribune sponsors special thematic activities, projects and contests. Watch for more information about them in The Casper Star-Tribune and on this Web site. If you are already receiving The Casper Star-Tribune in your classroom, you'll be able to take advantage of these special topics just by requesting the related materials. Newspaper subscriptions and materials will be offered as a package if you are not already subscribing to The Casper Star-Tribune.

For more information on The Casper Star-Tribune's Newspaper in Education program, or to order your classroom subscription to The Casper Star-Tribune, call Tristan English at (307) 266-0526. You may also e-mail Tristan with comments or questions. To enroll in The Casper Star-Tribune NIE program, complete the form.