*Applications are reviewed once a year in April. You will be notified of your interview date after receipt of the complete application.

COURSE OF STUDY FOR NINTH GRADE
Required Core Courses:
English I
Citizenship
Biology
Algebra 1A & 1B ( 2 semesters)
Health/Fitness
GMR Required Electives (Must Take at Least One):
Media Production I,
Speech,
Creative Writing or
Computer Applications

COURSE OF STUDY FOR TENTH GRADE
English II
U.S. History
Physical Science
Geometry
Must Complete by the End of the Sophomore Year:
Media Production II,
Journalism I
Back to Top

OVERVIEW
Students in the Global Media Resources Academy must make the initial contact and log a minimum of 10 hours of community service for an approved agency. Logs must be returned to the GMR coordinator by April 25, 2008.

LIST OF APPROVED AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATION (2006-2007)
(Community service and hours must be documented on the GMR Community Volunteer Service Form and must be turned in to the GMR office by April 15, 2008. You may turn the log in earlier.)
American Red Cross
American Lung Association
Boys Club of Columbus
The Bradley Center at St. Francis
Camp Joy
CCSC -- School Tutorial Program (call 687-5357 or 687-8808)
Columbus Hospice
Columbus Museum
Columbus Police Department
Combined Communities of South Columbus Tutorial Program
Damascus Way
Doctors Hospital
The Gardens at Calvary
Gallops Senior Center
Girls Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Historic Columbus
Historic Linwood Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
The Medical Center
Morningside Assisted Living
Muscogee County Friends of the Library
The Muscogee County Humane Society
Open Door Community
Pine Manor or Oak Manor
Programs with Parks and Recreation
Pine Mountain Trail Association
Relay for Life
Salvation Army
Shaw High School Guidance Department (one person only)
Springer Opera House
St. Elmo
St. Francis Hospital
Sunrise at Brookside Glen
YMCA
Urban League
Design Your Own ***(Be SURE you follow the guidelines below!)
Back to Top

***If you would like to work for an organization that is not listed here, you may do so under the following conditions:

• You must write a proposal describing the work you would like to do.  Have the supervisor and your parents sign the proposal.
• The name and the phone number of the contact person must be included in the proposal.
• The proposal must be turned in to the GMR office.
• The proposal must be approved by the GMR teacher prior to logging service hours.
• The agency must be a non-profit, community service organization.

JOURNALISM/NEWSPAPER
The journalism class produces Shaw's newspaper, The Silver Star.  The class consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  The students gain experience as they research, write, photograph and produce the articles that appear in the newspaper.  Students use the computer program: Adobe In-Design, to produce The Silver Star.  Students who are interested must have a recommendation from their English teacher, a high grade point average and submit to an interview by the senior staff members.  It has been proven that students who take journalism classes have higher scores on vocabulary and literary tests.
Back to Top

JOURNALISM/YEARBOOK
Journalism (Yearbook) class is a way to compile the annual history of Shaw High School.  It allows the students to use pictures to write the history.  All students are aware of the workings of a yearbook.  This includes using technology in their endeavor.  Not only do students learn to make "double-page spreads," the basic format for developing the yearbook, they learn to use In-Design, a computer program that allows them to create different pages.  Along with In-Design, students are also made aware of the the program provided by the yearbook company that prepares all pages for submission to the plant.  Presently, we are working with Josten's Yearbook Company, and they provide in-service training for all students, both new and old.  As part of the training that they receive, the students are given examples on how to design the book, how to come up with a basic theme for the book, and how to write "copy."  Although most students would prefer to see themselves in pictures, the yearbook staff is taught how to properly word captions that appear under the pictures.

The use of the computer is very important.  However, new technology requires that the students also learn how to use the digital camera in producing the yearbook.  Picture placer is a technique used by both In-Design and Josten's to eliminate lost pictures.  They must learn the proper use of settings and backgrounds in photography.  Although many think that all the students have to do is point and shoot, at times the lighting is not appropriate, and they must learn how to correct on the camera or on the programs such as Adobe Photo Shop or JACS (a program supported by the Dell computer company).  In connection with cameras students try to choose the "perfect" picture that actually depicts the history of Shaw High. Out of thousands of pictures, the students must be able to identify the people in the photograph. One method to do this is to use a notebook, and while they take they pictures, they note down the names of the ones in the pictures.  Yet, another method that teaches journalism students communication skills is contacting club sponsors, so that they can help them identify club members.

Producing the yearbook is a very costly enterprise.  Every year the students must be encouraged to sell ads so that the yearbook is self-sufficient.  They are taught how to contact businesses to with letters and prices for all sizes of ads.  They are also allowed to sell senior ads, a very profitable venture. 

In all, yearbook production is a business that is run by the students with the advisor's supervision.  It is a way of teaching students that history can be written both in script and in pictures.  It teaches them that "pictures are worth a thousand words."  It also teaches them the economic aspects of producing such a book that will forever tell the history of a wonderful high school such as "Shaw High School."
Back to Top

CREATIVE WRITING
The creative writing class is a way to get young students to open up to writing.  Few like to write, so this class tries to encourage them to write.  Even though they think they cannot write, this class motivates them to write whatever comes into their heads (within limits).  Writing can come in all forms, from short stories, to essays, to poems, to short plays, to commercials, to using dialogue.  In dialogue, they learn that regional dialect is acceptable, as long as it is in dialogue.  They use their previous experiences as a basis; however, they can also use someone else's experiences when they write biographies.  In this class they also learn the basics of writing short stories, poems of all kinds, essays, biographies, etc.  They know that they have to write so that their audience is aware of their purpose for writing.  They learn how to "hook" the audience, which encourages them to read their entire selection.  They also learn that writing is a process which includes brainstorming, writing, revising, and publishing.  They also learn that after brainstorming, they should let their thoughts "percolate," or sit there until later so that they may get a better perspective of what they wish to write about.  They also learn that grammar is important, but content is more important.  If grammar interferes with the content, then they learn to fix the problem.

As a part of creative writing, some of their work is published in the school's literary magazine, Images.  That is one way that they get their work published after they have written their work and revised any errors.  Another way that the students are able to "publish" their work is by sharing it with the class; they do so by reading it to the rest of the class.  In that way, the other students provide constructive criticism.  Some of the criticism helps the students improve their work.  Although some students may not have perfect writing skills, this class helps them build their self-esteem to the point that they are no longer afraid to write.  Creative Writing is a way of helping these students learn that "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again."
Back to Top

MEDIA PRODUCTION
The requirements to be a student in this program are both academic and career technical in nature.  Students must maintain a "B" average and participate in several areas of study concerning media production.  There are four levels of elective media production classes.  The course of study walks the student through the fundamentals of broadcast journalism, videography skills, video editing, script writing and production for commercial, corporate, and news media. Students are groomed for the talent aspect of the production with public speaking and speech classes. They are also assigned special media projects and participate in media competitions that promote the GMR program's agenda.  All of the courses and projects are designed to build a well-rounded media production student.  The level four students are also invited to participate in internships with the local media.  The program is career technical and incorporates work skills and other measures to insure the student understands the importance of strong work ethics and the competitive nature of the business.

The GMR curriculum takes the broadcast experience to a vocational, technical, academic, and professional level with experienced certified teachers.  New students must apply with recommendations for acceptance into the program.  Their application will be reviewed by a committee, and if they meet the requirements, they will be scheduled for an interview.  The GMR committee will make the final decision for acceptance into the program.  New GMR students and their parents agree to sign a GMR program contract that will be kept in the students' file. Their academic progress and behavior will be reviewed throughout their time at Shaw High School.
Back to Top

SPEECH
The Speech course for the GMR Academy provides instruction in researching, writing, and public speaking. This course is an interactive course with students receiving directions on how to develop and strengthen the verbal and non-verbal skills necessary to be successful in the professional media field. This class is very active with students constantly researching and developing topics for formal presentation. Emphasis is placed on timely preparation, dressing for success when making formal presentations, and importance of good communication skills in today's work environment.