Yearbook/Journalism Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Lara Kludy

Grade: 10-12

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Yearbook/Journalism is a year-long course in which the students will learn many
aspects of journalism as they put together Shelby High School’s yearbook, the Tigerite. We may also
produce school newsletters. All students will be exposed to:
★ Writing copy (headlines, body copy, captions, and quotes)
★ Photography, including editing in Adobe Photoshop CS2/ Photopea, Snapseed, and/or
PicMonkey
★ Layout and Design
★ Developing a robust social media campaign
★ Using Josten’s Yeartech Online software to create the yearbook
★ Proofreading and publishing
★ Sales and advertising

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

All students will:

1. Assist with financial aspects of the publication including book and advertising sales as well as a possible
fundraising program, and that it will be a part of the evaluation criteria. (1st semester)
2. Learn proper photography skills to take pictures of all extra-curricular, athletic, and academic events
throughout the school and community.
3. Brainstorm and develop creative coverage/content for the yearbook.
4. Learn photo editing skills using Adobe Photoshop CS2 & PicMonkey
5. Create layouts, copy, captions, etc. for quality yearbook design using Josten’s online software.
6. Work as a TEAM to complete projects by deadlines.
7. Advertise and promote the sales of the Tigerite.
8. Create a robust online presence for the Tigerite.
9. Learn professional interviewing and note-taking techniques and use these techniques to interview
students, staff, and community members as necessary for quotes, captions, story copy, etc.
10. Develop skills and terminology to be a productive yearbook staff member.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS:

1. Camera or cell phone with photo capabilities. Note: The school cannot be responsible for lost, stolen,
or damaged cameras that you personally bring to school for this class.
2. Notebook
3. Pen / Pencil

EXPECTATIONS:

1. Make deadlines. No exceptions. In order to publish and distribute a 136 page yearbook our staff will
 face several deadlines this school year. Make no mistake about it, these are real journalistic, publishing
deadlines--not arbitrary dates that can be extended at will without severe financial penalty. Your
publisher, Jostens, set these deadlines this past summer and it is your responsibility to meet them. In
order to make these deadlines more manageable, mini-deadlines will be set. These deadlines are to be
made…no exceptions!

If you miss a publisher’s deadline, your page will receive a 50% grade reduction.

2. Be accurate and unbiased. Yearbook/Journalism class is fun. You have the opportunity to interview
people, take pictures, and create features and coverage that showcase a year in the life of the school.
Never forget, however, that as journalists, you must report that year in a balanced and accurate
manner. To knowingly print false, misleading, or damaging information is an actionable offense
(meaning that someone can sue you / the school!). Follow all class procedures. They are designed to
protect you and the integrity of the Tigerite.

3. BE DEDICATED. Arrive early, stay late, do what it takes to do the job well. You are responsible for
acquiring all photos for pages you are assigned. This includes crowdsourcing photos via email,
Google Forms, social media, etc., if necessary. In addition, it is highly recommended that you attend
events that you are assigned. It is difficult to report well on a topic if you have not personally attended
the function. Each student must photograph at least 1 extracurricular activity (sports, academic
banquets, induction ceremonies, etc.) per marking period. Note: This may change at any time if
COVID restrictions are put in place. If you do not have your own camera, a yearbook camera will be
checked out to you. The camera is your responsibility while it is checked out to you; therefore, you
should take great care when the camera is in your possession. It should never be given to another
student and it should never be left in a car or locker where it may be stolen or submitted to extreme
heat or cold. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE TO A CAMERA DUE TO YOUR NEGLIGENCE. If you
have problems with the camera while it is in your possession, immediately text Mrs. Kludy. Cameras
must always be returned first thing in the morning to be recharged.

4. HAVE FUN! Creating a yearbook can be stressful. You have classes, friends, families, and other
responsibilities that can and will take time. Staying organized and getting quality work done on time is
challenging but absolutely necessary! Be sure to take a step back, breathe, and have fun! I will reward
the whole staff when we meet our deadlines!

LATE WORK POLICY:

As you might imagine, you are expected to submit work on time. Given the importance of deadlines in our
work, the following rules will be strictly enforced:

Deadline work. For each of the major deadlines, you are expected to find a way to turn in all work on time
without exception. Even if you are sick or on vacation, you are expected to find a way to submit your work
on time. Remember that if you miss a deadline, there are severe ramifications for the staff, the school, and
your grade.

Non-deadline work. Unless you arrive with an excused tardy pass on the due date for non-deadline work,
assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the hour or they will be considered late (resulting in a 50
50% grade reduction).

In-class assignments. All work due in class is due when requested in class or it is considered late (resulting
in a 50% late grade reduction).
MAKE UP WORK:

For all non-deadline work immediately following an excused absence, students will:
★ secure any lecture notes from a classmate.
★ obtain all handouts and assignments from the advisor on the day of return.
★ make up missed tests or quizzes in class the day of return.
★ turn in previously assigned work in class the day of return.

If a student is absent and excused for a longer period of time, please contact me via the counselor’s office
to schedule make up work.

GRADING:

Your MARKING PERIOD grades will be determined by the points you receive in the following categories:
● Quality of Work (30%) – Determined by the grade(s) you receive on each yearbook spread
completed. This may also include small, daily assignments. This also includes completed page
checklists. Participation in the yearbook fundraiser (minimum of 5 items sold) will also be included
in this category, if applicable.
● Meeting Deadlines (20%) – All deadlines must be completed on time to receive credit.
● Time on Task (30%) – At the end of each class hour you are required to complete a work log that
cites the work you completed that day. This will be done in a Google Doc posted as an assignment
in Classroom each week. You must submit this assignment on Friday of each week. Each day you
will receive a score between 0-3 based on the work you recorded in your work log. I will
periodically check the “Revision History” to make sure you are posting daily. You will receive
deductions for posting late (i.e. completing Monday and Tuesday’s log entries on Wednesday). Ad
sales will be included in this category during the first marking period. Each student will be required
to sell either 12 ads or $500 in advertising.
● Overtime (20%) – You are required to photograph ONE events per marking period (sports,
activities, performing arts, academic banquets, etc.) Hours worked must be documented on the
work log. You may also be required to attend a few after school work sessions prior to major
deadlines. Note: If COVID restrictions are put in place and students are not allowed to attend
sporting events, you must take photos of academic and club activities.

Each marking period you will receive a percentage that converts into a grade (below). Each marking period
score will count as 45% of your final grade.

Your SEMESTER grade will be figured by averaging your 2 marking period percentages (90% of final grade)
and your final exam grade (10% of final grade).

Grading Scale:

100-94 A 86-83 B 76-73 C 67-63 D

93-90 A- 82-80 B- 72-70 C- 62-60 D-
89-87 B+ 77-78 C+ 69-67 D+ 59-0 F

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES & PROCEDURES:

1. Our primary purpose is to facilitate the production of the Tigerite. The overriding concern is always
that a comfortable, work-friendly atmosphere for staff members be maintained.
2. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the room clean. All items should be put away and locked up at
the end of each class period. Do not leave important objects lying around, as they are lost very easily.
3. This room is for journalism staff members only. Other students on Tigerite business are permitted, but
this room is not a student lounge.
4. Be respectful to others and their property.
5. Yearbook time is for yearbook work. All yearbook assignments MUST be completed before working
on other homework or activities (unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor). This
is NOT a study hall class! Students found off task will lose credit for the day.
6. Follow directions the first time they are given.
7. Absolutely no tampering with the computers. This includes changing screensavers, adding or deleting
icons, or otherwise changing the settings that are currently on the computers. Absolutely no games,
personal email, or instant messaging at any time, unless prior permission is granted by the teacher.
Use of social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. during school hours is prohibited by Shelby
Public Schools. Students “hacking” into these sites could lose computer privileges, which would result
in failure of this class. Students found on these sites will also lose credit for the day.
8. If it is necessary to leave class to conduct interviews or take photographs, you should let Mrs. Kludy
know. It is expected that you will always be on task, be quiet in the hallway and be polite and
respectful to teachers. Note: Photos of students without their masks must be taken outside.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

I believe that it is important that I maintain a close working relationship with the journalism staff members.
I can be contacted at the following:

Phone (school): 861-4452 ext. 4104

E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mrskludy.weebly.com