The NIE director, an education specialist, visit area classrooms to teach lessons about such topics as the parts and purposes of the newspaper, newspaper production and careers in newspaper-related fields. Teacher workshops, a resource library, curricula guides and in-service demonstrations give teachers fresh ideas for using newspapers in language, arts, math, science and social studies classes at all grade levels. Tours of the American Press are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for students age nine and up and adults. The maximum group size is 30 with one adult for every 10 children. The NIE director is also available to demonstrate activities for parent or civic groups to teach parents to use the newspaper at home to reinforce classroom lessons.
Newspapers are a motivational resource that produces positive student attitudes toward reading.
Students who use newspapers in their classes show positive attitudes toward newspapers and newspaper reading. Students who use newspapers in their classes tend to become adult newspaper readers. Newspaper use in classes increases students' interest in and knowledge of current events. Students who use newspapers in their classes tend to talk with their peers and their peers about what they read. Newspaper use increases student's vocabulary and word-recognition skills and, more importantly, reading comprehension.