YearBook Syllabus

Yearbook

Ms. Sarah Frivold

(650) 322-5311 x50902

tinyurl.com/frivold

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Yearbook is a course focusing on the documentation of the school year. The final product is purchased by the student body which means a large portion of the class runs like a business. This class will incorporate both theory and practice. Students will learn the basics of journalism as they pertain to Yearbook, including press law, news writing, research, interviewing, layout, advertising and design. Students will develop such transferable skills as budget management, people management, coping with deadline pressure, photographing, event coverage, supervising, coaching, interviewing, and writing. Students will learn the fundamental aspects of journalistic writing and basic elements of design.

EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE STUDENTS:

Attendance is crucial to your success in this class. Participation will be a key component of your final grade.
You are expected to cover multiple events throughout each semester. If you have after school activities, you are expected to cover in-school events.
Be timely with assignments. Late work and stories will NOT be accepted. You will be expected to turn in the assignment when you return to class after an excused absence. I will also accept work via e-mail when appropriate, and approved in advance. It is your responsibility if you are absent to contact a classmate to find out the homework assignment for that night and to get the class notes for that day. You will be responsible for setting up a make-up time to take a test or quiz that you have missed. I will not seek you out! As with all jobs, there are deadlines. If you fail to meet deadlines, there is a consequence. Oftentimes the consequence is that you are out of a job. Our success as a business relies on your productivity. At the same time, the skills you acquire in this experience will prepare you for dealings in the world outside of M-A.
As this is your first year on staff, do not expect to always get the exciting news or feature stories. Everyone is expected to pay his or her dues. A good attitude, a persistent voice, and thoughtful writing will get you the more exciting stories and jobs. It is important to COMMUNICATE and be respectful when working in groups.
I expect you to take responsibility for your education such that you take personal communication with me seriously. Contact me immediately if you have questions, don’t understand an assignment, or feel frustrated, confused or discouraged.

HOW I WILL TEACH THE COURSE:

During the first month, we will cover the elements of yearbooks including press law, writing, interviewing, research, layout, advertising, photography, and design. I will focus specifically on improving your journalistic writing skills, introduce you to effective design and how to take a good photo.
Cameras will be issued to each student once you pass the “Introduction to the Camera” worksheet. We will cover camera etiquette and procedures before you will be able to check them out for events. We will focus on composition and layout both in-camera and in PS.
The following months will be spent on yearbook production and mini-lessons every month as they pertain to the production of the yearbook. In other words, the class will be a lab. You will practice what you learned during the first month over and over again for consecutive deadlines.
Vocabulary learned the first month will stay with you throughout the course and will be applicable to the design program mastery.
You will be required to take class notes in one form or another. You will receive a list of elements to look for over the course of the semester, in other yearbooks.
I expect you to be responsible for your education, the more you put in, the more you will get out of it.

What to bring to class every day:

Flash drive, memory card, notebook, commitment and enthusiasm☺

RATIONALE:

We are lucky to have so much amazing equipment. Let’s respect it. This classroom is a community; we are ALL responsible for the materials, equipment, and behavior that goes on here. In order for all students to be able to learn, it is important to have a supportive and respectful environment. These rules, expectations, and procedures are designed to maximize learning and productivity. Inability to follow these rules will cause a loss of points and/or loss of camera/studio privileges.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

Arrive on time (On time means in your seat, ready to learn when the bell rings.)
Be respectful to one another with your words, attitude, and actions
Remain quiet during direct instruction and listen while others are talking; if you have a question, raise your hand
Stay seated during instruction and keep feet off tables
- Improper use of chairs including but not limited to: rolling around, blocking walkways or rolling to another desk, can result in change of type of chair
- Your seats are subject to change at any time
Keep phones completely away unless specifically allowed (should not be visible)
Both headphones must be out when ANYONE is talking to you
No computer or phone games during class unless photo-related and specified
Take notes, participate, and be proactive about your education
You must receive permission to leave the classroom (restroom, photos, etc.)
Respect your space (e.g. throw your trash away; don’t leave trash on/in the desks)
Follow school rules when inside and outside the classroom, working on assignments, and/or photographing (e.g. closed campus, dress code, no skateboarding on campus, academic integrity, etc.)
Students are financially responsible for any lost or damaged equipment under their care (be it: in the studio, photographing during class, or check-out cameras)

CAMERA USE PROCEDURES:

(Inability to follow these rules may cause loss of camera privileges)

To check out a camera:
- The cameras are checked out in the same way library books are.
To return a camera:
- Close LCD screen, place strap around the lens, put cap on, turn camera off, put in correct place with camera with # facing out, charge battery
If you check out a lens, make sure to use caps and return it in the correct place when finished
Return your camera on time (0 period the following school day)
You MUST CHECK the camera back in with me

STUDIO USE PROCEDURES:

(Inability to follow these rules may cause loss of studio privileges)

All photographing in the studio must be run by and approved by the teacher first, you can then sign up for the studio.
Must receive permission before using the studio
No food in the studio
Be careful with the equipment; it is fragile and expensive
Only 3 people in the studio at a time (unless permission is received)
Only use your assigned camera and lens
Do not touch the strobe until you have received proper instruction
Always use sandbags to hold your light stands
Do not unplug things if you haven't been instructed to do so
Do not roll in your chair around the studio; there are many cords and fragile items that can break or fall over
Follow school rules when in the studio
Turn off lights when you leave
Always turn off pocket wizards when you leave
Clean up after yourself (e.g. pick up trash, take personal items with you, return props)
Put all equipment back in its right place and leave the studio in better condition than when you found it.
Changing clothes in the studio is strictly prohibited.

SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS:

SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS:

GRADING:

Multiple rubrics will be used to grade photography, design, timeliness, writing, ect.
To earn a 100% on projects, students are expected to go above and beyond the requirements, only meeting the basic requirements and not challenging oneself will not ensure 100%.
Continuous failure to participate (e.g. using your phone, playing a game, talking to friends, completing assignments for other classes, etc.) may result in the automatic grading of your current photo assignment, with no opportunity for revision.
For the first month, you will be graded on homework assignments, group projects and quizzes. Following that, you will get an evaluation sheet for each yearbook deadline. You acquire points by being timely with assignments, completing stories, writing well, producing pages, editing, photographing and selling advertisements. You will produce a good yearbook with good writing and research. If you simply produce a mediocre work for deadlines, you will receive a mediocre grade.
Grading is based on a point system and is not weighted.
Grading rubrics will be provided for each assignment.
Some assignments will serve to inspire, some will be challenging, and some will be just for fun. Regardless of how we categorize the assignments, I expect that each student approaches the topic with sincerity and in earnest.
Late work will result in loss of points.

MISSING/LATE WORK AND RESUBMISSIONS:

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me in a timely manner outside of class to make up your work.
All assignments, directions, and procedures are on the website. Students are expected to use the website daily.

EXTRA CREDIT:

All students are encouraged to participate in conferences, industry visits, and workshops. Although this is not required, these experiences are invaluable to your study of journalism and production. I will do my best to keep you abreast of current opportunities. Should you have the desire and time to attend, you can receive extra credit. You can also receive extra credit for submitting articles to local publications and contests. This year there is a new extra credit opportunity, for which I have a separate hand-out.

Please sign below to show you have read and understand the classroom rules and expectations.

Student Name ____________________________________

Student Signature_________________________________

Parent/ Guardian Name ________________________________

Parent/ Guardian Signature______________________________

Yearbook Rules and Procedures

Come to class with a SMILE on your beautiful faces, on time, with all your materials and ready to work.

If you are absent, it is your job to get any missed assignments and information. You will have up to one week to fulfill the assignment.

BE RESPECTFUL. Listen while others are speaking, one at a time, and use appropriate language.

Phones should be put away unless the assignment specifies otherwise.

We may have snacks during meetings outside. However, all food brought in must be scheduled with me. EVERYONE must participate in these meetings and discussions.

Since this class runs like a business, appropriate behavior and professionalism is expected at all times. This includes language, behavior, dress, respect to guests and each other, etc… (ie. no grooming in class)

As school representatives, ALL communication must go through the appropriate channels; this includes CCing me on any and all emails, and respecting M-A rules on social media. (This is vital to ensure safety for all students and staff.)

COMMUNICATION IS KEY. Ask before leaving the classroom. If you need to use the pass, make sure to check in first, it is important to know where you are at all times.

Do not have headphones in or work on the computer while someone is talking to you. Give them your full attention and respect.

This is a community, clean up after yourselves.

Meet all deadlines and go to all events you are assigned. If there is a conflict for ANY reason, let me know. Communicate early and often to prevent deadline conflicts. When shooting an event, respect all coaches, teachers, parents, players.

**You may only be on the sideline if you have a camera IN YOUR HAND.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Inability to meet these standards will result in loss of points.

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