HS Yearbook (Spring)

YEARBOOK (1/2 Technology Credit) – 1 Semester Course, 12 Weeks

This one-semester course is offered both in the fall and spring. It offers students an introduction to the basic elements of visual communication and the print world.

Students will learn basic skills to create our printed yearbook. This includes the basics of photography, camera usage, and compositional skills. We will also focus on layout and page design. Writing assignments will include interviewing techniques, caption writing, and printed story methods, including polls, surveys, feature stories, and headline construction. In addition, we will focus on ethics in journalism, including libel, copyright, and proper use of trademarked materials. A special emphasis will be on staying organized, teamwork, critiquing, editing, and meeting authentic deadlines. Assignments will be within the school and extend into the community.

Goals / Objectives:

• To learn about censorship, copyright, libel, trademark, and fair use.
• To complete writing exercises including feature stories, opinion articles, polls / reviews, etc.
• To strengthen their computer skills as they use various programs to create publication.
• To work together to design a theme for the yearbook.
• To design a cover and page layouts to visually support the theme.
• To learn about color theory and typography and understand the importance of both in marketing & mass communication.
• To learn to become a photojournalist. Students will learn the finer points of photography and writing as they capture captivating and narrative photos rather than mere candid photos.
• To take on various professional-type roles in production.
• To create a COACH yearbook in full color by the end of May.
• May learn about advertising, business strategies in marketing, budgeting, fundraising, and selling the yearbook.
• To identify the use of different literary elements and their overall effect on the story.
• To meet deadlines, learn how to multitask and prioritize, and produce a finished, edited product quickly.

Time allotments per projects:

• Cover and template designs due by November.
• Monthly photography assignments, including attending events & other important COACH activities outside of class.

Materials Needed for this Course:

• Laptop
• Digital Camera (suggested, but not required)