The Contributor is an award winning street newspaper, but that’s only part of the story. As a vendor and writer for this publication, when I look through its pages every two weeks I see so much more.
There is a vast array of stories that can be used to teach people of ALL ages something new, much like the Weekly Reader did for me as a young child and as a teenager, really throughout my scholastic life.
Every Friday like clockwork our classroom would receive the latest edition. I would immediately open it up. I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. There was SO much information packed into just a few pages on SO many different subject. One highlight for me was the booklist! It was there that I learned to love reading.
It’s funny, no matter how strapped we were for money, my mom always made sure there was enough for a book or two each month! This was long before Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
(At this point in the article, I will concede that I was a book nerd, and if I had the time, I probably still would be.)
Teachers, listen up. Did you know that each year The Contributor publishes a Summer Reading List? I know many of you encourage your students to read over the summer months — some even assign their students books to read over the summer. Maybe you could find some inspiration here for your students or even yourself.
There are other special issues too that lend themselves to learning.
Each new year we typically have an issue that shows various ways people of ALL ages can help others in their community. Children, especially young ones, LOVE to help out, and if they learn to do it when they’re young, it’s a pattern they will likely continue into adulthood.
In February, we publish issues that primarily highlight Black History, a segment of history that is often overlooked, misrepresented, or left out of other publications entirely.
English/Literature teachers listen up. We also have a special Poetry Edition that comes out every year! What? Once a year is not enough, you say? I agree wholeheartedly! Don’t worry, you won’t have to wait that long because we have poetry in EVERY issue! (The Contributor even holds classes after each paper release to help us hone our skills, and we are ALWAYS open to suggestions.)
Poetry is an art, and speaking of art, each issue contains phenomenal artwork! Could this be used in the classroom as a teaching tool?
With school budgets being slashed especially in what many number crunchers refer to as “non-essential programs” like art and music being eliminated all together, could this be an inexpensive way to bring it back into the classroom in a creative way?
Each year in August, we also have our Back-to-School issue that focuses on just that. Perhaps we could draw more attention to what we as a community need to do to help our children and their teachers to not only achieve but exceed the goals they set for themselves as well as those mandated by the state.
After Thanksgiving, we introduce our wrapping paper editions. Each print is as unique as the vendor who designed it. You might say it’s a bit like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
The things mentioned thus far are just the “Special Issues” of the paper.
Every issue also features La Noticia en Español. Could this be used in a Spanish class in some way? Or perhaps it could bring comfort to or ease the transition for someone who has to learn English but wants to see something written in their native language?
In other words, each issue covers a wide range of topics from everything from kids corner activities, impactful personal stories, up to date news briefs on current events, etc.
As a member of The International Network of Street Papers we even offer stories with a more universal appeal.
There truly is something for EVERYONE!
If after all this you’re still thinking, I doubt there’s ANYTHING in there for me, I know I’ve personally written articles/poems on such hot topic issues as gun violence versus victims rights, school shootings, and most recently school choice, and these things affect us ALL. Wouldn’t you agree?
Others of you are probably thinking, that may be true, but why buy a newspaper? That is SO old-fashioned and outdated.
I will admit that newspaper sales have been on the decline since the advent of the internet and with the ability to get information on any subject at any time with the touch of a button, but ask yourself: How credible is the information you receive? Who/What are the sources used for the stories you read? Have they been verified? If you want the most reliable, accurate, up-to-date information possible on any subject then you owe it to yourself to consult a variety of sources to get a complete picture not just bits and pieces.
Believe it or not, there are far more reliable references out there than TikTok, Google, and Artificial Intelligence like Siri or Alexa.
For all of you who say, I’ve gone digital and I can’t or won’t go back, we’ve got you covered! A digital edition of The Contributor is available, but I must warn you in choosing that option you’re giving up something too.
Our crossword, some artwork and other content are not translated in that format.
So be a trendsetter give it a try! Who knows? You just might like it.