If you’ve ever been a sixth grader, then you know how it feels to be seen as the lower class or beginners in middle school. We are limited in what we can do or where we can go. For instance, sixth graders are unable to participate in certain field trips or are excluded from some classes and events.
That’s the way it is. But for some sixth grade students, that can make them feel overshadowed by their older and more experienced peers. However, here at BAK MSOA’s communications department, that’s not the case, as a few sixth graders are starting to shine and making their voices heard through the art of journalism.
In Mrs Maritza Cosano’s journalism 2, newspaper class, which produces The Portfolio, Bak’s student-run news magazine, there’s something making headlines, and it’s not a local breaking news story, but a Bak special feature.
The Portfolio’s digital edition [portfolionews.org] has added a new section called Page Six. It features stories written by sixth graders, hence Page Six. With new articles being added weekly, it has started to shed light on how sixth graders are more talented than they get credit for.
According to Lilibee More Nisbett, sixth grade communications major, “The sixth graders were left in the dark corner of the stage while the seventh and eighth graders were shining. So, the sixth graders needed a chance to shine.” Page Six now provides that platform.
Something New
The Portfolio has only ever featured seventh and eighth grade work, but now sixth graders are starting to step onto the stage and into the light, said Nisbett.
“Sixth graders in theatre majors are able to participate in helping with the plays, and visual artists get to showcase their art. Music majors get to perform their music talent, dance majors are able to dance a part in a performance. There was nothing really for communications though throughout the year. I feel that this is a great way for sixth graders’ talent to be showcased,” said sixth grade communications major, Alyssa Samuels.
The Chosen
According to sixth grade communication major, Tejas Sai, being on Page Six is an honor. “I feel very proud of myself for doing good enough on my newspaper article to make it to Page Six,” said Sai. Nisbett agreed, adding, “I think that it is a conscientious reward.”
Alyssa also said that she feels appreciated. “I did not know that Mrs. Cosano was going to choose my article. So getting the news was a big shock to me. And just imagine, out of all of the sixth graders in her four journalism 1 classes, she’s chosen a few of us to be published!”
As Mrs. Cosano continues to assign stories to her journalism 1 classes, she reviews the articles and chooses the ones that are publishable.
“This idea came to me one day as one of my sixth grade journalism 1 classes was presenting their assigned final drafts,” explained Mrs. Cosano. “As I listened to them read their stories, I was impressed by their writing, and the way they had learned how to write their introductions with a good hook and using the writing techniques I’ve been teaching them since last August. They’ve become good writers, and a writer’s goal is to get published. And so, I thought, they should get published.
“I tell my sixth graders that they are my rookie reporters and they take pride in that, and so do I. So, I thought about Page Six of The New York Post, which is a popular daily must-read for those who want to stay in the know. The Post’s Page Six features breaking news and the inside scoop on the latest top stories. And, The Portfolio’s digital edition’s Page Six features the best articles and the latest top stories written by Bak communications journalism 1 sixth graders! I presented this idea to The Portfolio staff, and they thought I should run with it. And, I did! ”
The inclusion of sixth graders in The Portfolio’s digital edition potentially shapes how sixth grade communication majors will be perceived. And as more articles are written and added to the site, and more people read about Page Six, these rookie reporters will continue to grow—learning new journalistic techniques, photography tips, and tools of the trade like Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
“Right now, these students are building their portfolios that will set them up for success in the future, beyond middle and high school,” added Mrs. Cosano.
“Because of Page Six, sixth-grade communication majors will be seen not only as the youngest grade at Bak, but also as great, young journalists,” concluded Samuels, who is looking forward to the next school year when she hopes to join The Portfolio’s staff.
