GOT BOOKS?: If you do, our Newspapers In Education Coordinator
Jane Larson would like to hear from you.

The NIE department at The Era will have a used book sale in late
spring or early summer to benefit the program.

Last year’s sale raised $1,000 which was used to provide
newspapers and curriculum materials at no charge to classrooms in
our four-county circulation area.  Jane said she plans to increase
sale hours this year due to last year’s response.

What is Newspapers In Education?  Coordinated by the Newspaper
Association of America Foundation, NIE is a 50+ year-old program
which uses the daily newspaper in the classroom like a textbook in
grades K-12.

The primary focus is to improve reading, writing and critical
thinking skills. Curriculum materials that are grade and subject
specific are provided to assist teachers in coordinating the
newspaper with their lesson plans. Subjects cover a wide range
including language arts, history, science, math, life skills,
health, current events and more. Serials and special event series
are also part of the program.

Independent studies conducted by MORI Research in 2007 found
teachers who used NIE in the classroom had students who scored
between 15 to 20 percent higher in standardized testing in reading
and math. The goal is to strengthen instruction at all levels.

Sponsoring newspapers fund the majority of the cost of the
non-profit program. Additional funds are provided through donations
from businesses, industries, civic groups and school districts who
believe NIE helps open young minds, increases knowledge and builds
global awareness. The remainder comes from fund raising projects.
Nearly 100 teachers in our circulation area have chosen to use NIE
in their classroom during this school year.

Jane can be contacted via e-mail, jane1945@zoominternet.net
(please put “NIE” in subject line); or by phone at 966-3880. Books
may be dropped off at The Era at 43 Main St., from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Arrangements can be made for local pickup of
large quantities.

We’re looking for hardcover or paperback books (in good
condition) of fiction, non-fiction, biographies, travel, sports,
religious, cookbooks, children’s books, westerns, self-help,
how-to, leisure activities and hobbies. Please, no dictionaries,
textbooks, encyclopedia sets, Readers Digest condensed books or
magazines.