Yearbook Syllabus
2017 - 2018 Greenup County High School
Ms. Melissa Bowling 196 Musketeer Drive
Phone: 606.473.9812 Greenup, Kentucky 41144
E-mail: Room 235
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Course Description
Yearbook is a class that is designed specifically for students who are genuinely interested in journalism and news media. The course allows students to explore curiosities in various areas, while simultaneously examining multiple issues related to the school experience and developing print media in both objective and subjective fashions. Yearbook encourages students to write pieces using journalistic techniques that are both thought provoking and encourage further exploration for the future reader. Additionally, this course provides students with marketable experience in print media publishing, as class members will produce a yearbook that is distributed throughout the school after an entire year of compilation. Thus, students will compose, construct, and edit all elements of computerized text layout, graphic art, and digital photography. This course will also examine legal and ethical issues of media law and copyright. Students are expected to be industrious, work cooperatively with other staff members, and remain eager to explore various forms of journalism creatively.
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General Course Objectives:
· Students will learn basic journalistic writing techniques.
· Students will learn the importance of meeting deadlines and working as part of a news team.
· Students will focus on current issues and trends by reading and discussing news.
· Students will examine and understand journalistic ethics and the responsibilities of news media.
· Students will interview sources, then write and re-write features, sports, and news stories, as
well as editorial and opinion pieces for assessment.
· Students will attempt to sell and create advertisements.
· Students will design the yearbook.
· Students will identify and report news-making events, while incorporating journalistic forms, techniques, and knowledge to document a year in the history of Greenup County High School, its students, and the outlying community in print.
· Students will assess written and visual documentation for fact and opinion.
· Students will produce layouts, photographs, graphic design, digital imaging, and manage the production of the yearbook, as appropriate to staff assignment and position.
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Course Responsibilities
This is a deadline-oriented class; therefore, each member of the team will play a vital role. Due dates are extremely important for the yearbook to be completed in a timely fashion and for the yearbook to meet dates required by its publisher. Every class member will be expected to uphold numerous responsibilities, and if these responsibilities are not upheld, schedules will be changed. This is an elective course and can be considered a privilege; therefore, it is not a course of which one can take advantage. Instead, a diligent work ethic is necessary for success in this class. As a member of this class, one must agree to meet the following responsibilities on a continual basis:
1. Students should be prepared to work beyond the school day when extra work is needed on the computerized yearbook. This may, at times, be at the request of the teacher. At other times, this may be on a volunteer basis.
2. Students should be prepared to attend extra-curricular activities as assigned beyond the regular school day to capture digital photos.
3. Students will be responsible for the proper care and handling of digital cameras which are property of Greenup County High School and must sign and return all necessary usage forms.
4. Students will be responsible for both selling and designing advertising for the school’s yearbook and distributing yearbook order forms beyond the regular school day as requested.
5. Students will be responsible for multiple clerical operations including: maintaining signs advertising the yearbook, delivering receipts and publications, and conducting student polls.
6. Students will be responsible for submitting yearbook pages to their respective editors by pre-determined due dates for review and, if necessary, revision.
7. Students must be willing to attend all necessary meetings. Please be aware that some of these may occur beyond the regular school days.
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Grading Procedure and Assessment
Points will be given for classwork and homework. The following ten point grading scale will be used for averaging grades:
90 – 100 = A
80 – 89 = B
70 – 79 = C
60 – 69 = D
0 – 59 = F
Writing tasks, layouts, and multiple additional forms of assessment will occur throughout each grading period. In addition, students will be given a production grade at the close of every grading period. This grade will be based upon the quality of work that is produced, a student’s effort, and professionalism.
Required Course Writing
Throughout the school year, students will be required to complete multiple transactive writings of various genres for the yearbook. For each piece, students must be willing to complete the revision process and ensure that, if applicable, all sources are documented correctly. In some instances, according to the requirements of the editor, one piece may need to be revised multiple times and completed by a specific due date. Failure to meet these specific deadlines and submissions to the editor will result in lower grades and possible removal from the class.
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Classroom Expectations
One of the main goals of my classroom is to provide a positive atmosphere that is conducive to learning. Each member of my class plays a vital role in the achievement of this goal. This class will function as a team; therefore, mutual respect for one another must remain a priority.
YEARBOOK CONTRACT
I have read, understand, and agree to the terms outlined in this syllabus. I agree to meet all deadlines
and complete all assigned work to the best of my ability. I understand that, at times, I will be required
to work outside of class to meet the academic and performance requirements of Yearbook. Should I fail to meet these requirements, I understand that my schedule may be changed or I may receive a grade of zero.
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Parent or Guardian Signature Date
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Student Signature Date
Parent phone number: ______
E-mail: ______
Digital Camera and Technology Usage Agreement
Students are expected to be responsible for school-owned equipment used in yearbook:
digital cameras, lenses, film cards, batteries, scanners, camera bags, computers, and software. I
understand that my child will be required to pay for equipment if any of these resources are lost,
broken, or damaged while being used for journalistic purposes. Digital cameras are valued between $300.00 and $1,000.00, and lenses are valued between $450.00 and $1,000.00. Camera repairs begin at approximately a $400.00 minimum; therefore, it is evident that these figures are not minor amounts. All yearbook technological resources must be cared for in a business-like manner and misuse will not be tolerated.
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Parent or Guardian Signature Date
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Student Signature Date