YEARBOOK

While creating a first class yearbook and yearbook cd, you will learn the following skills:

1.          Desktop publishing,

2.          Photography,

3.          Sales,

4.          Planning,

5.          Journalistic writing,

6.          and Video Editing.

GRADES

Keep in mind that grades are earned by you not chosen by the instructor. To be successful in this course you need to work on personal management skills and developing positive attitudes and behaviors. If you attend every day and do all the assignments, you will most likely pass the course.  If you want to do better than passing, then you will have to work hard and ask for help when needed. 

GRADING SCALE

A=94-100=Excellent Work

B=86-93=Very Good Work

C=76-85=Average Work

D=70-75=Below Average Work

F=69-0=Unacceptable Work

CALCULATING YOUR GRADE

Every assignment will be worth a number of points.  To determine your present grade for the grading period, add up the total number of points you have earned and divide that number by the total points possible.

LATE WORK

Late work will have points deducted.  Your grade will be reduced ten percent for each day the assignment is late.  After five days, only fifty-percent credit will be given.  Work should be turned in on time!

MAKE-UP WORK

If you have an excused absence from school, you are permitted to make up work missed for credit.  You have one day for every day absent to finish assignments.

It is your responsibility to obtain assignments missed.  The instructor will be available for 15 minutes at the end of the school day to assist you with assignments.  Other times can be arranged.

If you have an unexcused absence, you will receive no credit for work missed.  You are still expected, however, to complete this work.

Assignments missed will be posted on this web site.  You need to complete the assignments during a study hall. Limited time may be available during class for catching up, but you should not plan on it.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Ink pen and notebook paper.

2. Notebook for keeping notes, handouts, etc. Remember to keep all graded papers in case you have questions about your final grades.

ASSIGNMENTS

This course requires the following:  

CLASS PARTICIPATION

You are expected to complete a certain amount of work each day in class.  Attendance is critical to learning in this class.  Daily practice and assignments are required work.  Time missed will have to be made up.  Class participation is worth up to 50 points each full week of school (10 points per day). This grade is a reflection of your performance in the area of process.  The process by which you complete your work is as important as the product.

This is what I look for when I award these points:

Works Independently. Begins work promptly and stays focused without being reminded by the instructor.

Teamwork. When doing group work, cooperates with others, stays focused on the task, and communicates well with the group members.

Organization. Keeps papers and books well organized. Brings paper, pen and notebook to class daily. 

Work Habits. Gets started immediately upon arrival. Continues working throughout the period. Does not watch the clock. Uses time wisely.

Initiative. Asks for help when needed. 

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

You will be expected to develop certain skills and to demonstrate these skills during class.  Your performance will be graded.

DEADLINES 

You will be expected to meet deadlines and will be graded accordingly.

SEMESTER EXAM

An exam will be given at the end of the semester, as per school policy.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS

A variety of other assignments will be made as well.

EXTRA CREDIT

No extra credit assignments are available. 

CLASSROOM RULES

1. Bring all needed materials to class.  This includes your ink pen, paper, and your notebook. 

2. Be in your seat and get to work when the bell rings.

3. Respect and be polite to all people.  When the instructor asks for your attention, stop what you are doing and listen.  You should not be doing homework for other classes or personal grooming while class is in session.

4. Do not leave your seat without permission.

5. Do not change any settings on the computers without instructor permission.

6. Follow directions the first time they are given.

In addition to these basic classroom rules, you should be familiar with the school's Computer Use Regulations and our Internet Acceptable Use Policy. 

You should also be aware that I take very seriously any form of Academic Dishonesty. Be sure you are familiar with the school policy on this.   

PROCEDURES

1. If you have been absent, leave your blue slip on the instructor’s desk before the bell rings.  It will be initialed and returned to you before the end of the period.

2. If you are tardy to class, go quietly to your seat without interrupting the class.  If you have a tardy slip, put it on the desk.

3. The wooden pass at the side of the room is only to be used in case of emergencies. Request permission before using the pass, unless it is an extreme emergency.  Do not ask to go to your locker to retrieve materials.

4.  Do not put your materials away for the end of the period until the instructor tells you to do so.

5. Save your work in your assigned folder only.  And be sure to save frequently.

6. To prevent computer viruses, do not bring any disks from home to use on these computers.  Also, do not attempt to install any programs on the computers.  Finally, do not open any e-mail attachments unless you are familiar with the person sending the e-mail.

7. Playing games on the computers is not a wise use of your time and you will be graded accordingly.

8. Do not print unless you have permission from the instructor to do so.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

Yearbook is in some respects a different kind of class from those you normally take in high school.  Therefore, you need to be aware of the following:

Meeting deadlines is important.  We have an obligation to printers and to our readers to turn in material on time.

As a journalist you have a special responsibility to be honest and accurate in your writing and reporting.  Faking quotations, hidden messages or other violations of accepted journalistic standards will be dealt with severely.

Be especially careful with computer equipment and camera equipment.  It is expensive.  You will be privileged to work with some of the best equipment the school owns.  Ask questions if you do not know how to do things. Do not change any of the settings on any computer without permission from the instructor.

When you borrow a camera for an assignment, return it first thing the next day, or the same day when possible.  Remember that others have assignments that require them to use the camera, too.

Often your work will require that you leave the room during class.  You will be permitted to do so as long as you ask permission first and take a pass.  While out of the room, you should go only where you asked to go and you should keep in mind that you are representing the entire staff.  Make sure you leave a positive impression.

You will often be asked to redo work for yearbook pages.  Such a request should not be taken as a personal criticism.  We are all working to produce the best publication possible.

You will sometimes be asked to attend after school and weekend events to take photographs or to work on a story.  You will also be expected to do interviews, which may have to be done after school hours.

 My philosophy for high school publications is to allow the staff to make as many informed choices of their own as possible.  However, the following limits will be adhered to:

1. You may not spend more money than you have raised.  The budget must balance! 

2. Nothing that is obscene or libelous will be published.  As the instructor, I will be the judge of what is obscene or libelous.

3. Nothing that is in poor taste or that is abusive or degrading to any person (student or adult) will be published.  Again, the instructor will be the judge.

4. You are in the yearbook class, in part, to learn about journalism.  Therefore, publications will conform to accepted journalism standards.