McAdams

Room: 479

Yearbook Course Syllabus

mary.mcadams@browardschools.com
Instructor:
Mrs. Mary A. McAdams, MSEd; Bachelor of Arts Journalism – University of Miami
Professional Experience:
Copy Editor, Knight-Ridder Publications, Editorial Assistant/Staff Writer Review
Publications, Assignment Editor/Producer, WSVN, Ch. 7/WFOR, Ch. 4

In addition to majoring in Journalism at UM and working in media, the classroom teacher

has taught Journalism and IB Information Technology in a Global Society previously. To
share the tools of her trade, both in print and broadcast journalism, the teacher will
support students in mastering skills that will serve them in college and beyond. The
classroom will be run as a journalism workshop with many opportunities for different
learning styles and student interests.

Schedule: Silver Black

1st Period Yearbook
2nd Period Study Hall
3rd Period Yearbook
4th Period Critical Thinking
Purpose:
The Purpose of this course is to produce a school yearbook.
5th Period: Yearbook
6th Period: Yearbook
7th Period: PLANNING
8th Period: Critical Thinking

The course is part of the Language Arts curriculum in the State of Florida

Course Objectives:

LAFS.910.W.2.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or
shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other
information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

LAFS.1112.W.2.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

LAFS.1112.L.1.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when
writing or speaking.
Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and
is sometimes contested.
Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., Merriam-
Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, AP Style Guide) as needed.

LAFS.1112.L.1.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Observe hyphenation conventions.
Spell correctly.

LAFS.1112.WHST.2.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

LAFS.1112.WHST.2.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or
trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific
purpose and audience.

LAFS.910.WHST.2.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or
shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other
information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

LAFS.K12.L.3.6
Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and
phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career
readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when
encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.

LAFS.K12.SL.2.5
Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and
enhance understanding of presentations.

LAFS.K12.SL.2.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command
of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

LAFS.K12.W.4.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision)
and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes,
and audiences.
Thoughts from Herff-Jones and industry experts:

The yearbook consists mostly of words and pictures! It has increasingly become a more
visually appealing product with the use of online tools and resources through Square One
and edesign resources on the publisher website.
Students will have many opportunities that will prepare them academically for college
and career.

YEARBOOK SHOULD BE THE MOST ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGING CLASS ON

A HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.
-Steve Kent
(You can follow him on Twitter @picaplanet or hashtag his Steveisms with #stevesbelievers)

Students will learn the basics of AP Style and build vocabulary specific Journalism and
online publishing tools.
Students will sell advertisements and help run a classroom business.
Student efforts will be supported by our publisher, Herff-Jones, and the classroom
teacher. Opportunities to network with industry professionals will be presented during the
school year.

Students will participate in two staffs:

1) Front of book - Editorial Section

Life and events
Learning and involvement
Competition
Gallery
Feature Well
Story Starters
Poster Spreads

2) Back of Book – Reference Section

Seniors with bios
Underclass
Faculty with bios
Teams with scores
Club group shots
Ads
Index
Colophon
Leadership roles will be assigned based on previous experience and how long students
have been enrolled in the yearbook course.
Opportunities to participate in event coverage will give daily practice for students in
interviewing and photography.

Weekly interviews will be assigned and shared with the classroom folder in Google
Drive.

Please feel free to contact the classroom teacher if you wish to discuss any topic relating
to this class, the yearbook program, or even general concerns. Email works best!

Useful Links:

https://www.myhjyearbook.com/ Students will be assigned tasks through e Design

https://www.schoology.com/ Herff-Jones, our publisher, offers this resource!

(Please Note: This syllabus is subject to change.)

Personal Philosophy: I intend to support my students in a task-oriented yearbook workshop with the
highest of expectations. I am available daily before, during, and after school.

The following are policies in the Critical Thinking Classroom:

Classroom Rules
• Be respectful and courteous to yourself, others, and their property. (Give respect, and
you get respect.)
• Come to class prepared. (pencil, pen, highlighters, paper, composition notebook,
binder/folder)
• Be in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.
• Raise your hand to be recognized.
• Absolutely no PROFANITY, SLEEPING, or EATING in class!
• The bell does not dismiss you, I do!
• Adhere to school rules as stated in the Code of Student Conduct.
• No bathroom or hall passes the first/last 15 minutes of class.
• No cell phones or electronic devices are to be used or on display in class. (Cell
phones must be placed inside a book bag and should not be seen or heard.)
• Dress for success!
Consequences
-1st offense: Warning (verbal or non-verbal)
-2nd offense: Change of seat and phone call home
-3rd offense: Detention
-4th offense (severe disruption): Referral to Administration

Tardy Policy: Be seated on time at the start of the class period. Unexcused tardiness
will not be tolerated.
1st tardy: Warning 3rd tardy: Phone call home 5th tardy: Detention

Late Work Policy

Teacher will use discretion in determining the acceptance of late assignments.

Make-up Work Policy

Students have two (2) class days to make-up the work for each class day of an excused
absence, not including the day of return. However, previously assigned work is due the
day of return. These deadlines may be extended by the teacher if necessary.

Restroom Policy
Students will be given restroom passes if absolutely necessary; however, they are
encouraged to use the restroom during change of class.

Materials
Paper, pen, pencils
Notebook paper
Folder/notebook for organization
Grading Policy
Grades will be based on class work, homework, quizzes, tests, and special projects.
90-100 A 76-70 C
89-87 B+ 69-67 D+
86-80 B 66-60 D
79-77 C+ 59-0 F

Category Brief Description Percentage

Class Work This category includes all work begun and/or completed in
class, class discussions, group activities, student journals,
warm-ups, and other assigned tasks. 50% of
Homework quarter
This category includes work completed outside of the class grade
setting: assigned and independent readings and/or
accompanying tasks, written assignments, and practice
exercises.

Assessments This category includes quizzes, tests, long-term projects, 50% of

meeting yearbook deadlines and publishing tasks. quarter
grade
PLEASE PRINT ONLY THIS PAGE OF THIS SYLLABUS AND FILL IT OUT FOR THE
FIRST HOMEWORK GRADE. If incomplete, the form will be returned and not given full
credit for the first homework grade.

PERIOD ____

I understand and acknowledge the expectations as to how to be successful in my

Journalism class, and I agree to adhere to all stipulations.

Student Name (Print)__________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________________

Student Email Address_________________________________________

Parent Name (Print)___________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________________

Parent Phone (Home)________________(Cell) _____________________

Parent Email Address__________________________________________

*Special concerns
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