R.C. Murphy Junior High School seventh-grade students in Michelle Hanczor's honors English class recently completed a technology infused project that called for them to become broadcast news reporters using a program called News Maker. 

After reading a historical book, the students worked with library media specialist Betsy Knox to create and perform a news script based on the information they learned. In addition to this, they investigated the time period of their novel in order to produce a formal research paper.

By using News Maker, the students were able to actively participate in 21st Century literacies and enjoyed using their creative talents and personalities while discussing and sharing their independent quarterly reading.