We're starting a family newspaper/newsletter!...

[Sue G in PA]

I had this idea at the beginning of the year, but didn't have the "time" to start it. Dh took the idea and after seeing/hearing/witnessing my frustrations over writing and overall school-related enthusiasm (or lack of it :(), finally decided to run with it! He'll be working from home 1 day per wk now (more on that later :)) and so will have the time now to really help get this together. Today was our first newspaper meeting. We came up with a name, chose stories (assignments!), gave due dates, etc. The kids are EXCITED! :D I'm so happy they are actually into this! Just thought I'd share our excitement and ask for recommendations for publishing software. I'm thinking MS Publisher (but is it too expensive?). We used to have this and then the computer caught a virus and all programs were wiped out. We didn't have the CD to reinstall. :( I used PageMaker in high school, but that is way too complicated for what we need. Any other suggestions?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Oh, I've wanted to do this! I was just going to do it with Word Perfect - nothing fancy, just text in columns and maybe a picture or two.

[Tutor]

I would just start with MS Word. You can put in columns and use the newspaper justification to make it look more like a newspaper. You can add-in photos and scan cartoons in and add those (or draw them on the computer with WordArt if your kids are handy with that sort of thing... I'm not :)). You could insert a header with the newsletter's name, date, and volume number... maybe have the kids make-up a graphic to go there, too.

Once you are publishing consistently and interest still remains, then look into buying more specialized software.

Sounds like a great idea! We may just have to steal it. ;)