DNN Guide
Dolphin News Network
Guide
Introduction:
Welcome to DNN, a weekly news program written and broadcast by the students of Solana Highlands Elementary School. This production process reinforces our community of learners by providing cross-curricular and cross-age interaction. Our weekly broadcast is approximately 10 minutes long and is shown throughout the campus. Our multi-grade program incorporates age level appropriate participation from all the students. Our weekly show features:
•Kindergarten & Grade 1: “Featured First Grade” spotlights the classroom
•Grade 2: "Name that Animal" and weather report
•Grade 3: Story Segments & Technical responsibilities
•Grade 4: Anchors, Story Segments,Technical responsibilities, student producers
All classes are assigned participation dates at the beginning of each school year. Classroom and producer teachers (Media center teacher and computer lab instructor) work together with students to select, write and practice each part of the weekly broadcast. Each week approximately 14 students participate in the production of a single DNN show. Throughout the year, most students will have the opportunity to participate. A pool of fourth grade producers whose sole purpose is to aid in the production. The producers rotate so that two producers assist at each taping.
Each weekly show rehearsal is approximately 30 to 45 min. The broadcast is on Thursday mornings at 8:45 a.m. and is approximately 30 min. including a practice before going “on air”. Student reports are approximately 60 seconds in length, highlighting important information for the audience. Student reporters need only be familiar with their material and will be aided by the Telepromter. Students are evaluated on voice and expression, quality of information and technical ability.
DNN is a medium by which all students at Solana Highlands can interact with the curriculum in new and dynamic ways and experience state-of-the-art technology while developing the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills necessary to become effective communicators.
Mission Statement and Goals:
Dolphin News Network Mission:
Our mission is to provide a curriculum-rich student-centered, innovative, broadcast experience for most Solana Highlands students
Solana Highlands Goals:
Implement and maintain a student-based school broadcast
Provide appropriate opportunities for students who participate
Support research and writing of student reports
Provide age-appropriate content for the Solana Highlands audience
District Goals
•Follow oral language and writing standards
•Match news content with each grade level
•Provide broadcast opportunities for students
•Enhance technology learning
Standards (K – 4):
DNN Meeting Content Standards
Kindergarten
WRITTEN AND ORAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS:
1.1 Recognize and use complete, coherent sentences when speaking.
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
1.1 Understand and follow one and two-step oral directions
1.2 Share information and ideas, speaking audibly in complete, coherent sentences.
Grade 1
WRITTEN AND ORAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS:
1.1 Write and speak in complete, coherent sentences
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
1.1 Listen attentively
1.2 Ask questions for clarification and understanding.
1.3 Give, restate, and follow simple two-step directions
1.4 Stay on topic when speaking
1.5 Use descriptive words when speaking about people, places, things, and events.
Grade 2
WRITING:
1.1 Group related ideas, and maintain a consistent focus
1.2 Create readable documents with legeble handwriting
WRITTEN AND ORAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS:
1.2 Recognize and use the correct word order in written sentences
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
1.2 Ask for clarification and explanation of stories and ideas.
1.3 Paraphrase information that has been shared orally by others.
1.5 Organize presentations to maintain a clear focus.
1.6 Speak clearly, at an appropriate pace for the type of communication.
1.9 Report on a topic, including supportive facts and details.
SPEAKING APPLICATIONS:
2.2 Report on a topic with facts and details drawing from several sources of information.
Grade 3
WRITING STRATEGIES :
1.1 Create a single paragraph
a. Develop a topic sentence
b. Include simple supporting facts and details
WRITING APPLICATIONS:
2.2 Write descriptions that use concrete sensory details to present and support unified impressions of people, places, things, or experiences.
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
1.5 Organize ideas chronologically or around major points of information.
1.6 Provide a beginning, middle, and an end, including concrete details that develop a central idea.
1.7 Use clear and specific vocabulary to communicate ideas and establish tone.
1.8 Clarify and enhance oral presentations through the use of appropriate props (e.g., objects, pictures, charts).
Grade 4
WRITING STRATEGIES:
1.1 Select focus, an organizational structure, and point of view based upon purpose, audience, length, and format requirements.
1.3 Use traditional structures for conveying information (chronological order, cause and effect, similarity and difference, and posing and answering a question)
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
1.2 Summarize major ideas and supporting evidence presented in spoken messages and formal presentation
1.3 Identify how language usages (i.e. sayings, expressions) reflect regions and cultures
ORGANIZATION AND DELIVERY OF ORAL COMMUNICATION:
1.5 Present effective introductions and conclusions that guide and inform the listener’s understanding of important ideas and evidence
1.7 Emphasize points in ways that help the listener or viewer to follow important ideas and concepts.
1.8 Use details, examples, anecdotes, or experiences to explain and clarify information.
1.9 Use volume, pitch, phrasing, pace, modulation, and gestures appropriately to enhance meaning.
Standards - English Lanugage Development (ELD):
DNN Meeting English Language Development Standards
Early Intermediate ELD Level:
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
Strategies and Applications: Comprehension and organization and delivery of oral communication - begin to be understood when speaking.
READING:
Fluency and systematic vocabulary development: Read simple vocabulary, phrases, and sentences independently but may include inconsistent use of standard grammatical form.
WRITING:
Organization and focus: Write an increasing number of words and simple sentences appropriate for language arts and other content areas.
Intermediate ELD Level:
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
Strategies and Applications: Comprehension and organization and delivery of oral communication - retell stories and talk about school-related activities by using expanded vocabulary, descriptive words, and paraphrasing.
READING:
Fluency and systematic vocabulary development: Read simple paragraphs and passages independently.
WRITING:
Strategies and Applications: Produce independent writing that is understood when read but may include inconsistent use of standard grammatical form.
Early Advanced ELD Level:
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
Strategies and Applications: Comprehension and organization and delivery of oral communication - recognize appropriate ways of speaking that vary according to the purpose, audience, and subject matter.
READING:
Word Analysis: Apply knowledge of common English morphemes in oral and silent reading to derive meaning from literature and texts in content areas.
WRITING:
Organization and Focus: Arrange compositions according to simple organizational patterns.
Advanced ELD Level:
LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
Comprehension and organization and delivery of oral communication: Consistently use appropriate ways of speaking and writing that vary according to the purpose, audience, and subject matter.
READING:
Reading Comprehension: Prepare an oral or written summary by using various comprehension strategies.
WRITING:
Strategies and Applications: Write short narratives that include examples of writing appropriate for language arts and other content areas.
Staff Responsibilities:
Classroom Teachers:
•Plan for students to attend broadcast rehearsal/shows.
•Send students promptly to broadcast rehearsal/shows.
•Locate and record broadcast dates and immediately communicate any conflicts to broadcast directors.
•Monitor progress of student broadcast reports.
•K, 1st, & 2nd grade teachers: Encourage students to practice their lines
•3rd & 4th grade teachers: Help student group prepare 1 – 2 minute script based on their selected topic
•Assess students presentation
Computer Lab Instructor (DNN Co-Producer):
•Train crew
•Coordinate and supervise Student Producers
•Support software and hardware
•Coordinate SH student participation and scheduling
•Film “on-location” reports
•Archive all shows (on VHS and DVD)
•Create independent movies to play in VCR
•Check email for news reports
•Type or copy reports into the Telepromter
•Make "credits" poster
•Attend all rehearsals and shows
•Prepare Broadcast room, equipment and materials
•Shutdown Broadcast room, equipment and materials
•Attend Broadcast meetings
•Prepare DNN badges
•Prepare DNN certificates
•Maintain prop box
Media Center Teacher (DNN Co-Producer):
•The week of the broadcast: Work with student reporters - select topics, assist with research and script writing
•Attend all rehearsals and shows
•Work with reporters on poise, focus, delivery, and appearance.
•Staff Liaison - communicate Broadcast status at staff and district meetings, gather suggestions, follow-up surveys
•Attend Broadcast meetings
•Prepare Broadcast room, equipment and materials
•Shutdown Broadcast room, equipment, and materials
•Maintain prop box
DNN Broadcast Assistant:
•Assist with DNN producers’ duties as needed
Administration:
•Continue to fund equipment, supplies, and staffing
•Attend district and site broadcast meetings, when possible
•Promote broadcast program to staff, families, and students
Student Responsibilities:
Behavior Expectations: In order to maintain production quality, all students participating in the DNN program are expected to:
•be on time
•be respectful of the equipment
•contribute to the learning environment
•be courteous to everyone on and off the set
If a student cannot abide by these expectations, he/she will be returned to their classroom and not participate in the broadcast
K - Pledge:
•the entire class is video taped and edited into the broadcast
1st School News::
•calendar information
•Lunch menu
•Practice and memorize lines before rehearsal
•Attend rehearsal and broadcast
2nd - Primary News:
•“Name That Animal” riddle
•Birthdays and pledge
•weather report
•Practice and memorize lines before rehearsal
•Attend rehearsal and broadcast
3rd and 4th - News Reporter:
•Meet with Media Center Teacher to select news topic
•Research, write, and format report
•Gather props
•Prior to rehearsal, prepare report for homework
•Practice report aloud
•Attend rehearsal and broadcast
3rd & 4th - Tech Crew:
•Meet with Technology Instructor to learn about the broadcast equipment
•Practice using equipment under supervision
•Attend rehearsal and broadcast
Student Producers: Student Producers are a core group of 4th grade students that volunteer to help each week; they MUST apply for these positions!! They will miss some class and recess time in order to be available for rehearsal, “on location” filming, and showtime. These students MUST be responsible and reliable. They are expected to be caught up in all classwork and homework. Student producers need to make arrangements if they are not available for DNN duties.
Student Producer responsibilities include:
•Knowledge of the equipment
•Assist crew and reporters
•Make sure “ON AIR” sign is on door
•Help with the production of the show
•Pick up and drop off of primary students
•Help film 3rd and 4th grade “on location” news reports
•Replace absent reporters or crew members
•Work on other extra projects
•Practice the calendar with the kindergarteners
•Moving primary students on and off the set
Spotlight
DNN Spotlight (K – 4): Student work is showcased periodically on a short segment called “DNN Spotlight”. Students may read stories, poems, jokes/brain teasers, math problems, or show artwork. All work is original.
News Crew (Grade 3rd & 4th)
Camera A, Camera B, Video Mixer, Sound Mixer, and Telepromter procedures are as follows:
DNN Hardware and Software
Equipment:
Video Cameras
Telepromters
Video & Audio Mixers
Preview Monitor 
Computer
Miscellaneous Hardware: Microphones and CD Player
Software:
•Intelliprompter Pro
•iTunes
•Garageband
•iMovie
•Final Cut Express
•Safari
•iPhoto
•Microsoft Office
Broadcast Directions:
Thursday – choose jobs
•1:15– (2-4)
•second grade students report to the DNN studio for assignments: “name that animal”, pledge, weather, & birthdays.
•third and fourth grade students report to the DNN studio to decide which students will be assigned tech positions and which students will be broadcasters. If a 4th grade student has already appeared on DNN that year, they will be assigned the opposite job (if they had been a broadcaster, they will be on the tech crew)
Monday – edit stories & tech training
•1:15 - 2:00 third & fourth grade students report to the DNN studio to edit stories and learn how to use the equipment
****Stories due to DNN for stories to be typed into our teleprompter no later than Wednesday morning****
Wednesday – rehearsal
•1:15 - 2:00 – all students (1-4) will practice broadcast positions – at least twice or more as the time allows
Thursday - Broadcast
•8:15 (broadcast at 8:45)
•Turn on all equipment
◦Log computer into DNN (name: DNN, pw: dnn)
▪Open Inteleprompter broadcast for the date
▪Check our weather station for the temperature and add info to the teleprompter
▪Open MacRemote (name: guest, pw: guest)
◦Soundboard & video mixer
▪All 3 mics levels should be set (see photo in equipment section)
◦Still Camera should be on DNN picture – select index and arrow to picture & press play
◦Cameras on tripods are to be rewound and set to record (press red button)
◦TV outside studio is to be turned on so that parents can view the broadcast
▪Set headroom control to source 24, destination 25
◦
When students arrive, perform one rehearsal. However, the student in charge of the soundboard & video mixer shouldn’t participate at this time because if he/she does, the school would see the rehearsal. The Video Mixer should stay on the DNN picture until broadcast begins!
Forms
For staff use:
•News Assignment
•Reminder Letter
•DNN Assessment
•DNN Certificate
•DNN Badge
•Annual Schedule
For student use:
1.News Assignment (3rd & 4th)
2.Investigating and reporting Tips (3rd & 4th)
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Dolphin News Network (DNN)
Congratulations! You are a member of the Dolphin Network News Team this week. You will present:
“IN THE NEWS”
You are the investigator and the reporter. You will have 30 seconds to present your information. The information you research can be about current events in the United States or the World. Be sure your news is appropriate for all grade levels and is news that children from ages 5-10 would find interesting.
Use the investigator’s “Gather the Facts” worksheet as you find your information. Then, write a short report in your own words to present on DNN.
Your report must be received by 8:30 a.m. the DAY OF OR BEFORE your scheduled DNN rehearsal.
There are two ways to submit your report…
1. Email your article directly to DNN: dnn@sbsd.k12.ca.us (Please do not send as an attachment.) Return your DNN folder, “Gather the Facts” Worksheet and any pictures you’d like to use to the DNN box.
2. Write or type your article and put it in the DNN box outside of the studio. Return your DNN folder, “Gather the Facts” Worksheet and any pictures you’d like to use to the box as well.
INVESTIGATING AND REPORTING TIPS
1. You can get your information from newspapers, magazines, your textbook or the internet (with parent supervision). Helpful websites are:
www.kidsnews.org
www.timeforkids.com
www.go.grolier.com (user name: doll, password: fin)
www.teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/
www.yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/news (search: California)
www.weeklyreader.com
www.sciencenewsforkids.com
www.sbsd.k12.ca.us (resource button)
These websites are particularly good for your topic!
2. You may use pictures, props, maps…anything that will enhance your presentation…not interfere with it.
3. You will have an opportunity to rehearse the day before the broadcast. Please practice your presentation and be very familiar with the words you have written.
4. Remember to use good posture, expression and excitement in your voice, as well as strong words to capture your audience.
