Yearbook Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The student will study the elements and processes of magazine-type layout and design to produce the school yearbook. Students will work within time constraints and budget limitations, select the overall theme and concept for the yearbook, create layout designs, learn the basics of photography, write and edit headlines, copy and captions and participate in advertising campaigns, ad sales and book sales.

CLASS CONDUCT:

1. Be in the room, in your assigned seat when the bell rings. Your attendance is essential to the function of this class. Excessive absences or absences during deadline weeks will affect your grade.
2. Bring your supplies daily.
3. Show respect for your teacher, your classmates, and yourself by monitoring your language and actions. This is especially true when you are representing this class and this school while on assignment outside of the classroom. You must have your SCHOOL AGENDA/PASS in order leave the room. When out of the room for Yearbook assignments, you must have an OFFICIAL YEARBOOK PASS and your SCHOOL AGENDA/PASS.
4. Do not waste classroom supplies.
5. Follow all camera check out and computer use procedures.
6. Follow all policies and rules outlined in the student handbook and code of conduct.

• All rules and procedures are subject to change or modification at the discretion of the instructor.

EXPECTATIONS:

Yearbook production is a business. We create and market a product and have a budget, and we must meet our obligations without debt. In order to accomplish this, my expectations of you and your behavior are higher than for other students.

As a staffer you must:

• Be able to take directions and criticism from your peers
• Be able to work independently
• Agree to disagree in a mature manner
• Treat all staff members with respect and kindness
• Be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Be willing to help others when your work is done
• Act respectfully and responsibly while representing the staff
• Be accurate and thorough in your coverage of school events
• Strive for perfection
• Not take advantage of yearbook privileges
• Adhere to the legal and ethical standards of student journalism
• Do what you say you’re going to do

This class requires extensive work outside of class. This means before school, after school (late nights if necessary), lunch time, free class periods and weekends. Repeated refusals to take on outside work or to come in for work sessions will lead to a reduction in grade and possible removal from the class.

If you are absent it is your responsibility to be sure that needed material or assignments you have due that day reaches the publication room that day. Any missing items slow down the work of the publication and will affect your grade. Avoid scheduling non-emergency appointments during class time or during deadline work sessions.

If you have accepted an assignment and then find you cannot make it, you must make arrangements for someone else to cover the assignment. You must also call the adviser and let him/her know of the arrangement. If you cannot make a work session because of a practice or meeting, I expect you to come in before school, after school, during lunch or during off periods.

If it becomes apparent that you are unable to function as a productive member of the staff or miss deadlines or other assignments, you will be removed from the staff.

DISCIPLINE PLAN:

If problems arise, the following process will be followed for minor infractions:

	1st Offense – Verbal warning from instructor
	2nd Offense – 2nd Verbal warning and student conference 
	3rd Offense – 3rd Verbal warning, student conference and contact/conference
	4th Offense – Referral to office  
        Serious infractions will result in immediate referral to the office. 

• Serious infractions will result in immediate referral to the office.

MATERIALS:

You are expected to bring the following items to class every day:

1. 3-ring binder (Black, at least 1.5 inches or larger, clear cover on front).
2. 5 Dividers (Syllabus; Vocabulary; Notes; Handouts; Projects/Proofs) to be checked weekly. Any work in progress will be saved on your thumb drive.
3. Pencil/Pens (blue or black, no colored ink please).
4. 1 Spiral for daily photo critique.
5. Thumb/Flash Drive (with at least 1 GB of memory space) to save student work.

GRADING:

6 Week breakdown:

       Tests = 40% 
       Portfolio/Projects = 20% (counted 2 or 3 times)	
       Daily grades/assignments = 20%
       6 week test = 20%

The majority of your grade is based on your ability to meet deadlines. MAJOR deductions in your grade will be made for missed deadlines. Once the ladder is in place, you will receive a copy of the deadline schedule and your page assignment for each deadline

Tests and quizzes will be given in areas such as yearbook vocabulary and techniques, photography and layout and design.

Other areas on which you will be graded are attendance (especially during deadlines), daily contributions during class, coverage ideas, room chores, your idea book and any other assignments that arise.

HOMEWORK/PLAGIARISM/CHEATING:

Non-Deadline: related daily assignments should be turned in on the day specified by the instructor. Late assignments will be assessed a 10 point deduction per day it is late, up to five days. After the fifth day the assignment will be recorded as a zero. Make-up work will not be accepted during the last week of grading periods.

Plagiarized: work will result in no credit. Students will receive an alternate but equal assignment. Cheating or copying the work of another is against the SHS Code of Conduct and will result in a discipline referral to the office.

Cheating: Students will not receive credit for plagiarized work. Students will receive an alternate but equal assignment. Cheating or copying the work of another is against the SHS Code of Conduct and will result in a discipline referral to the office. This includes trying to pass off someone’s photos as your own. This means you cannot turn in a photo for a grade that you are in.

EXEMPTION POLICY:

Students are eligible for final exam exemptions if they meet the following requirements:

          Pass all parts of the TAKS test
          Maintain an 80 average or better
          Have two or fewer excused absences and no unexcused absences.
          Have not been in ISS or DAEP.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:

You will be using school supplies, computers and cameras and software provided by our publishing company. Any time you are using school equipment, be aware that you are responsible for taking care of that equipment. If anything is lost, stolen or damaged while in your possession, you will be responsible for replacing or repairing the items.

Home | Class Info | Yearbook