GRADES: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of any of the following: Photography, Advanced Photography, Graphic Design, Advanced Graphic Design as well as application process with teacher approval.
Length: One year/1.5 credits (may be repeated for credit).
Join the creative force behind our school’s award-winning yearbook, Acorn! This elite course is reserved for dedicated students ready to take on the challenge of producing a professional publication from start to finish. Using Adobe Creative Cloud tools (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and other industry software, students will sharpen their skills in design, photography, writing, interviewing, marketing, and leadership. As part of the Yearbook staff, you’ll manage real deadlines, collaborate as a team, and take responsibility for every phase of production – from capturing events and crafting stories to designing layouts and promoting the finished book. This class requires commitment beyond the classroom, with students photographing games, performances, and activities, and interviewing peers, teachers, and coaches to tell the story of our year. Yearbook is more than a class – it’s a chance to leave your mark on history and create something lasting that the entire school will treasure.
Qualifies for Fine Arts and Career & Tech credit.
Qualifies for English elective credit – if needed.
OHHS Google Account
Chromebook or other computer
Who is who?
Course Overview (Course Description, Grading, How does a yearbook get made, …)
Modified Classroom Expectations Introduction
Classroom Equipment Policy
Classroom iMacs & MacBooks Introduction
ParentSquare Group
Yearbook Staff Survey
CTE Survey
In this unit, students will learn tools for working together including leadership, communication, time- and project-management, conflict resolution, workflow and staff organization.
Teamwork
Leadership
Communication
Time-Management
Project Planning & Task Management
Reflection & Feedback
Conflict Resolution
Workflow
Staff Organization
In this unit, students will learn about theme and coverage development and create the verbal and visual theme for this year's yearbook.
Activities include:
What is "Theme"?
Verbal theme
Visual theme
Creating the ladder
In this unit, students will learn how to create text for the yearbook including researching, interviewing, writing headlines, stories and captions as well as editing.
Activities include:
Story Development
Interviewing
Story Writing
Writing Headlines
Writing Captions
Text Editing
In this unit, students will learn how to operate digital cameras as well as capture, edit and share digital images. Students will also learn about the exposure triangle including ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture as well as using additional camera equipment including lenses, tripods, etc.
Activities include:
Operating a digital camera
Navigating the Exposure Triangle
Capturing a Photo
Organizing and Editing Photos in Adobe Lightroom
Advanced Editing Photos in Adobe Photoshop
Exporting Photos
In this unit, students will learn to design yearbook spreads, theme pages, endsheets and the cover. Students will utilize the Adobe Creative Cloud including InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will learn basics of page composition, color theory and typography.
Activities include:
Adobe Illustrator Basics
Adobe InDesign Basics
Adobe Photoshop Basics
Composition Basics (Emphasis, Balance, …)
Color Basics
Typography Basics
In this unit, students will learn basics of advertising and marketing by creating a cohesive campaign to advertise yearbook sales, submission deadlines, yearbook distribution, and more. Students will use Adobe Express and other software of the Adobe Creative Cloud to design graphics for specific target audiences and in different sizes for both digital and print use. Students will work with local businesses to create ad submissions and they will work with the school's communication team to get information shared.
Activities include:
Adobe Express Basics
Marketing Basics
Advertising Design
In this unit, students will learn about publishing, communications, journalism and design as a career field.
Activities include:
Ethics & Copyright
Careers in Publishing
Printing Processes