English teacher Emily Grigg passed out newspapers every week to help students improve their reading comprehension skills and understanding of current events. Gaffney High students found out newspapers can be fun and entertaining to read even when you are doing something educational.

English teacher Emily Grigg passed out newspapers every week for students to use to improve their reading comprehension skills and understanding of current events.

Through its 'Roll Call' program, The Gaffney Ledger provided newspaper issues each week so she could use them with her seven English I Honors and English II college preparatory classes. In appreciation, the Gaffney High students put together a poster filled with student signatures and pictures showing students reading various issues.

Grigg began the newspaper project last year so students could work on their nonfiction reading and writing skills.

"There isn't a lot of nonfiction stories in the textbook we use," Grigg said. "I think it's important that students be exposed to nonfiction. This helps them learn how to research and present facts to inform readers about a topic."

After speaking with Gaffney Ledger publisher Cody Sossamon, Grigg was able to receive a newspaper for each student. This allowed each student to enjoy and study the newspaper on their own while working on classroom assignments. Students would read The Ledger each week before working on classroom essays and assignments that stretched their understanding of the news.

At the end of the year, Grigg's classroom wall was filled with newspaper articles related to Gaffney High School.

"The students really enjoyed the newspaper. They really liked reading about their classmates, especially in the sports section," Grigg said. "The students looked forward every week to looking at the next issue."

Grigg plans to continue using the newspaper in her classroom lesson plans.

"The newspapers helped introduce students to subjects they might never have taken the time to read or think about," she said.