Yearbook I and II Class Syllabus
Instructor: Ms. Robinson
Email: srobinson@goddardusd.com
School: Eisenhower High School
Course Overview
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to create the school yearbook. Students will engage in photojournalism, literary journalism, and the preservation of school history. The course will emphasize teamwork, creativity, and professional standards in journalism.
Course Goals
Develop Writing Skills: Improve narrative writing techniques to create compelling and coherent yearbook stories and captions.
Enhance Collaboration: Strengthen communication and collaboration skills by working effectively in teams to develop a cohesive yearbook theme.
Improve Research Skills: Conduct thorough research to ensure accurate and ethical journalism practices in yearbook content.
Strengthen Technical Skills: Enhance technical proficiency in photography, design, and layout to produce a professional-quality yearbook.
Promote Critical Thinking: Analyze and evaluate information critically to create well-rounded and insightful yearbook content.
Apply Photojournalism Standards: Learn and apply principles of photojournalism, including capturing compelling images, ethical considerations in photography, and telling stories through visual media.
Class Expectations
Be on Time: Students are expected to be in class and ready to work when the bell rings.
Be on Task: Focus on the lesson at hand and work on yearbook-related tasks during class time.
Be Present: Participate actively in class activities and discussions. Do not work on assignments for other classes during yearbook time.
Be available for Outside Class Work: For yearbook, you must be available and willing to work outside of school hours. This means attending events such as football games, concerts, or even plays for photography and journalism opportunities.
Grading Policy
Event Photography Projects: Students are required to attend and photograph three events outside of school each semester. Each event is worth 200 points, totaling 600 points for the semester.
Daily Points: Students can earn daily points by adhering to class expectations (on time, on task, present).
Bellringers: There will be bellringer activities every day, worth 10 points each. If missed, bellringers must be made up before the end of the week.
Participation and Engagement: Active participation in class discussions, activities, and team-building exercises will contribute to the overall grade.
Spreads: Yearbook students will be assigned spreads for certain pages to design, complete, and write. A single spread is worth 300 points and constitutes as an assessment in this class.
Discipline Policy
Daily Points System: Students will receive daily points for punctuality, task engagement, and presence. Phones should be away, and students must stay on task with the given assignments.
First Warning: If a student fails to meet these expectations, they will receive one warning.
Loss of Points: Continued non-compliance will result in losing all daily points for that day, with no opportunity to make them up.
AI and Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, including AI-generated content, will result in an automatic zero and a write-up. Cheating or copying will also result in a zero and a disciplinary referral. Original work is expected and valued.
Late Work
· Late work receives a 50% point reduction. Exceptions are made case-by-case if you reach out in advance for extensions due to emergencies. Life happens. The key is to communicate. Late work is not accepted during the last two weeks of a semester.
Semester Breakdown
First Semester: Focus on learning the fundamentals of yearbook production, including photography, writing, and design. Students will begin working on individual and group projects to build these skills.
Second Semester: Students can apply for specific roles within the yearbook team, such as Editor-in-Chief, Assistant Editor, Chief Photographer, Staff Photographer, Staff Writer, and Marketing Manager.
Important Notes
Attendance: Regular attendance is crucial for success in this class. Much of the work is collaborative and hands-on, making it difficult to make up for missed classes. Make sure you communicate when absent.
Deadlines: Meeting deadlines is essential in the production of the yearbook. Late work will affect the overall quality of the yearbook and the student's grade.
Behavior: Professional behavior is expected at all times. This includes respecting classmates' ideas, equipment, and adhering to the school's code of conduct.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at srobinson@goddardusd.com. I'm here to help you succeed and make this yearbook a memorable reflection of our school year.
I look forward to a fantastic year working with all of you on creating an outstanding yearbook!
Please note - like any course that evolves over time, this syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. All changes will be communicated to students as class progresses. Questions or concerns on expectations are always welcome.