Open House: A Celebration of Learning is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th from 6:15 to 7:45. It will be a busy night, so I will not be able to stay in my classroom the entire evening. Here is my schedule:
5:15 - 6:15: Appointments
6:15 - 6:40: Spaghetti Dinner (Cafeteria)
6:40 - 6:55: Yearbook table (outside the Student Bank/Moor Market)
7:00 - 7:20: Open Classroom (C224)
7:25 - 7:45: AP/Honors Night (Career Center)
If I don't get a chance to speak to you personally that night, here is a description of what to expect from this class for the rest of the year and some advice about how to succeed in English!
Yearbook:
Ms. Naylor's Period 5.
Semester Two FAQ:
Q: What are you working on now?
A: We are almost finished with our 4th (out of six) deadline. About 188 out of 244 pages of the book are done. We are also currently learning about design and have recently taken two design quizzes. A group of ten students is preparing for the JEAELA Journalism competition which is on Saturday, February 22. We hope to bring home some awards for photography, yearbook design, and copy writing. Go Yerds!
For an example of what we have been working on, please see the
PREVIOUS POST.
Q: What will you be doing for the rest of the semester?
A: We have two more deadlines to complete, and then we need to start preparing for sales and distribution. After the book is finished, we focus in class on important design, writing, photography, computer and journalism skills that will give students real-world experience. For the final exam, students will create a portfolio of their work.
Q: How are yearbook students graded?
There are two different grades - classwork grades (for quizzes, projects, and assignments) and deadline grades (for the work each student does on the actual yearbook). A student who does their assignment for the yearbook on time will usually earn a C for the deadline grade. Students who wish to earn and A or B need to go above and beyond the basic assignment. For example, a student might earn a C for conducting interviews and writing a piece of copy about basketball. An excellent story with an interesting angle written in past tense and following the STYLE SHEET plus captions/photo selection is likely to earn a higher grade. Students who do extra work beyond their own assignment also often get a higher grade.
Q: Is there extra credit?
Extra credit is not offered in yearbook.
Q: Do you accept late work?
I do not accept late work unless it is because of an excused absence. When in doubt, it doesn't hurt to ask me.
Obviously, deadline assignments cannot be turned in late. Deadlines are firm and we will have to pay money to the publisher if we miss them. If your assignment is not completed in time, you will receive a D or an F and someone else will have to finish your assignment for you.
Q: What can I do to improve my grade in Yearbook?
A: Come to class on time. Study for quizzes. Make the most of your class time. Complete your deadline work on time (or early) and correctly. When writing copy, be sure to have an angle. Help with your page by talking to the photographers, doing photo selection, writing captions, writing headlines and subheads, etc. If you finish your assignment early, ask your editor if there is something else you can do or someone who needs help or a partner for their story.
Q: What do I do if I have a question about grades?
A: You should check your grades regularly at
family.ausd.us - as soon as something is graded it shows up there. If you click on your grade for Yearbook, a detailed list of assignments and scores will pop up. Any score that looks like this: --/10 is for an assignment that has not been entered yet. A score of zero (for example: 0/10) means you did not turn in the assignment (it could also mean you turned it in late and the new grade has not been entered yet). Many students accuse me of putting in the wrong grade and then later realize they have the assignment in their backpack and forgot to turn it in. I do not give zeros if you turn in the work - zeros are only for work that is missing.
If you cannot check your grades online, you are welcome to see me before or after class and I can look up your grades for all of your classes. Please ask nicely!
If this is your senior year, you should not get below a C in any of your classes. Check your grades regularly and if you notice your grade starting to dip, bring it back up. See me if you need help or tutoring, or if you have any questions. I will not give an extra credit assignments at the end of the year. I also will not "bump" a grade up (for example, change an 89 to a 90) so do not ask.
Q: If I am a Freshman or a Junior, can I be an editor in yearbook next year?
A: Most Sophomores do not have room in their schedule to take yearbook, but Freshmen are welcome to come back to yearbook their junior or senior year. Interviews to choose the editors for next year are conducted in April after the final deadline is completed. Students who have already been in yearbook usually have a great advantage. Editors for 2014-2015 will be announced on the night of the social.
Q: Since I am in yearbook, do I get a discount when I buy my book?
A: Yes! Yearbook staff members can buy their book for the staff/beginning of the year price of $75. The student banker has a list of students who are in yearbook who get this discount. The discount is not available if you buy your book online, so bring cash or a check to the student bank.
Q: What if I have another question that has not been answered here?
A: For other questions about our class, please refer to the
COURSE SYLLABUS or contact me (email is the fastest way to reach me) my email address is listed on the syllabus.
Thank you!
Ms. Naylor
