If you're interested in continuing with the yearbook staff for the 2010-2011 school year, please seriously consider joining us for yearbook camp - "Metroplex MediaMania" on August 3-5 at the Dallas Infomart. Depending upon how much extra money we raise, your tuition and hotel could be paid for. You will need to attend this event if you would like to be considered for an editor's position!
For more information and registration forms
MediaMania2010 - downloadable flyer
Workshop Registration Deadline: June 1
Work on optimizing as many pictures as you can! Please remember to to follow the Irfanview procedures!
Download detailed instructions for each step.
View a PowerPoint with detailed instructions for each step: yb_irfanView_process.pps (1.18MB)
You need to "take inventory" of the sections that were assigned to you earlier in the year. Do you have the pictures you need? Do you have the text files/information that you need? Make a list of missing items and make a plan for gathering these items.
DUE: Friday, 5/7: Either all of these items will be in your section(s) folder(s), or you will need to document your plan for gathering this information.
Using the process described below, you'll need to optimize the senior pictures of your assigned student.
DUE: Monday, 5/3
These are the steps we'll follow to prepare our photos for publication:
Download detailed instructions for each step.
View a PowerPoint with detailed instructions for each step: yb_irfanView_process.pps (1.18MB)
We'll be using a free image editor called IrfanView (version 4.25). This is something that you might like to use on your own computer at home.
We will be using the following tools for our yearbook pictures:
Email the names and contact information of 5 businesses/organizations that you would be willing to contact about selling them ad space in the yearbook. Email this list to fwafatech1@gmail.com. Make sure your name is in there somewhere!
DUE: Wednesday, 4/21 in class
I took your ideas and made a page on the fwafaYearbook website about this. Tell me what you think - No Face Book Pictures!
We've talked in class about image resolution and how images being used for various reasons need a certain resolution. How can you explain that to someone who wants to submit pictures for the yearbook? It seems that people are submitting pictures that have large dimensions, but they have been compressed to 72 dpi so that there isn't enough detail for a good printed image. What is the difference? We are being bombarded with FaceBook pictures and there's got to be a way to explain what we need other than just saying "no FaceBook pictures" because, obviously, that doesn't work.
In whatever medium you want to use, create a description of the requirements for images that can be used in print. Save it to your maddox folder as yearbookImages_name (yearbookImages_sherill.xxx) with whatever the default extension is that goes with your medium (if it's in Word, of course use .rtf).
DUE: Monday, in class
The way you submit this assignment will depend upon the medium that you use. We'll discuss that on Monday.
Today, get your announcement plans on paper in such a way that I could do the announcement myself by simply following your plan. Give me a script, a storyboard, a production schedule, a rehearsal schedule, a props list, multi-media needs, etc. This needs to be printed out and turned in by the end of the period today.
Use this plan then to be ready to deliver your announcement next week. If there is no plan that tells me what I need to know, there will be no announcement by your group. Decide amongst yourself who will announce on which day.
DUE: at the end of class TODAY
These last two weeks before Spring Break will be our final sales push. Divide yourselves into groups of no more than 4 and come up with an ad campaign that includes these elements:
This is the information that needs to be advertised:
DUE: Tomorrow, 3/2, I want to see a *rough draft* of each of these elements
Using the copyright notes that you've taken, download this test and complete it as instructed. I will gather these from your folders. Be sure to save it as instructed!
DUE: end of class TODAY
Copyright Definitions Assignment
DUE: Friday, 2/19 at midnight.
Attach this to an email and send it to fwafatech1(at)gmail.com.
This test will consist of 2 seperate documents:
These pages are to be printed out, stapled together and turned in by the end of the class period today.
DUE: TODAY at the end of class
A note about turning in this assignment late: 10 points will be deducted for each day that this assignment is late. If this is not turned in by the end of next Thursday, 2/11, it will be recorded as a "0" with no options to change it. If you are absent on the day that this assignment is given, you will receive and extra day in which to turn it in. If you are absent any day next week, that will not translate into extra time to turn in this assignment.
Write a summary of what you have accomplished this week:
Since the printer isn't working, send this summary to: fwafatech1@gmail.com. The subject line must contain your name and "editor update."
DUE: end of period today
Each editor is responsible for turning in the following information about his/her organization or group:
DUE: Friday, 1/22
Write about 5 different ideas for a sidebar subject - surveys, statistics, lists, people, etc. Then comment on at least one idea of at least 3 other classmates. Please keep these ideas and comments on topic and properly written (as if your English teacher were going to read them).
If you can't remember your ClassPress login, do this assignment in Word, and save as ideas_name.rtf in your maddox folder.
DUE: BLOG TOPIC: today, 1/8
DUE: COMMENTS: Monday, 1/11
When I heard this news, questions immediately came to my mind. I want you to write your 5 questions before you read the article that you hope are answered when you read it.
Then, read the article and all of the links that go with it to find the answers to your questions. Summarize those answers in your own words as an answer to your question:
1. What is the answer to my first question? (Write this before you read the article)
After reading the article, answer the question here.
Print this out when you are finished and turn it in.
DUE: TODAY, at the end of class. If you do not turn this in today, it will be counted late - no exceptions. You must budget your time!
Tell me about your experience with 1st semester in a new yearbook class:
DUE: Thursday, 12/10
Using all the information that we've gone over together in class about the process of creating a yearbook, you will need to make a double paged layout spread that meets these requirements:
You must be able to explain to me your reasons for designing your layout the way that you have as well as tell me what photographic techniques your pictures demonstrate and why they are placed the way that you place them in your layout.
The process by which you accomplish this task is up to you. Several of you would rather gather your content first and then lay it our. You should know that the recommended process is to draw your layout first. I will leave this choice up to you.
All of the resources that you need for this are on our class web page - it is up to you to find them for yourself.
GRADING: This is worth a test score - 35% of your 6 weeks grade. I will post a rubric here by tomorrow.
DUE: Tuesday, 12/8
We'll go through this process together in class. I will expect your undivided attention. This is *the* link:
What does it mean to be thankful for something? What are you thankful for? Are there different degrees of "thankfulness?" Can one be thankful for designer brands or a favorite color? For the things that you are thankful, please try to explain why you are thankful for that "thing."
When you are finished, make a meaningful comment on at least 3 other posts.
DUE: midnight tonight, Monday, 11/23
Today we practice creating layouts! Using what we learned yesterday and the resource pages I've uploaded here, each of you will create your own 2 page layout.
DUE: Friday, 11/20 in class
We'll look at a powerPoint presentation that will take us through the process of creating a 2 page layout.
First, I would like you to email your work from Friday to fwafatech1@gmail.com so that I can be ready for you tomorrow to continue with the ladder process. Just send what you have - I don't want you to use class time today to "finish" it.
So, today, you'll do a creative writing exercise! And no, it's not necessarily related to fwafa or yearbook... You will write a progressive story by starting a story on your computer, after a set amount of time, you'll move to the computer on your right (or across the room), read what's been written on that one, and then add to it. Not difficult. Here are a few rules.... you know, stuff I have to say that you already know, but....
Mrs. Cox will be your timer - you will have 3 minutes at each computer. When you move, you may have a little bit of time to read what's been written and then your time will start again.
Try to move through at least 6 computers. I do want the stories to have an ending or a cliff hanger, so maybe the next to last round begin to wrap it up.
Just have fun with this, ok? I'll see you tomorrow!
We'll open up the Playbook today and use #4, #5, #6 on page 2, "innovate/concept" to complete this assignment. You'll need to work together in these groups:
ASSIGNMENT: First, define the sections we will need for the book (apply #6 to our school's book). Record your specific ideas for applying your theme to each of these sections in our yearbook. You'll need to print this out and turn it in - be sure to include the names of everyone in your group.
DUE: Wednesday 11/11, at the end of class.
Remember the slide show about photography we looked at yesterday? For today's quiz, you will need to write down 8 of the 12 elements that we saw in the slide show. More than 8 can only be extra credit.
We'll watch a slideshow that talks about what makes a good picture for the yearbook as well as look at some examples. This is important!
DUE: Tuesday, 10/6. Create your own YearBook ID badge to officially identify yourself as a YB staffer!
Specific assignments to be ready for our first sales push:
Visual Ad Campaign DUE: Friday, 10/9
Multi-Media Montages DUE: Wednesday, 10/14
We need to create an ad campaign to run for 1 week during October to promote sales of the Book. Break up into groups and do some brainstorming about ideas for selling the Book. Think of your target audience(s), decided upon how many books you want to sell, and create enticing advertising opportunities to promote the sale the Book.
These are a few facts that might help:
I'll be here tomorrow and you can make your pitches to me!
Write a 200-250 word feature article about some aspect of FWAFA that could be used in the yearbook. Post it as a blog entry and then make meaningful comments on 3 other posts - questions, kudos, other ideas about the same topic, etc.
This will count as a test score (17.5%) of your 6 weeks grade.
DUE: Sunday, 9/27 at midnight
Pretend that you have entered a contest at the local mall to win a $1,000.00 shopping spree at a toy store of your choice. The total cost of all the toys you select must not exceed $1000.00 (including tax). Also, the total cost of all the toys (including tax) must fall between $995.00 and $1000.00 or you lose everything.
Pick ONE of the online stores listed below, or research to find your own and begin shopping!
Create your own spreadsheet using the formulas in the online, interactive working spreadsheet as a guide. Click on the buttons labeled FN to view the formulas.
You might discover another way to keep track of your spending that would mean adding columns - this is totally up to you! Set this up however works best for you!
Think about how you want to set up your spreadsheet - how many different mathematical processes will you need to write a formula for?
If you are able to spend EXACTLY $1,000.00, tax included, you win an additional $500.00 "imaginary" cash (Actually receive a special something from me!)
DUE: Monday, 9/28 at end of class
Since I have a homework assignment that's due today for a class that I'm taking, you're going to help me with it! We'll be evaluating the contents of individual M&M bags and then create a chart to display the results.
These are your instructions: Classic M&Ms Spreadsheet (pdf)
We'll do this together in class, but use those notes as a reference for the future
YB: EVENT ASSIGNMENT: If you went to the Thespian Lock-In, I need report from you that tells me all about it. I want your observations, quotes as well as the simple facts. (If you weren't at the Lock-In, you are excused from this assignment.)
Thespian Lock-In DUE: Wednesday, 9/23
YB: EVENT ASSIGNMENT: The student choreography show is this Friday with tech nights on Wednesday and Thursday. I need 6 people to cover this event. Talk to the dancers about their act, how they decided upon that song, why they wanted to participate in the show at all. Talk to the organizers (teachers, stage managers, anyone involved in the production of the show) and ask them about what is the purpose of this show, how is it coming together, etc.
We will also need pictures of this show! I need backstage, warm ups, costumes and makeup being applied, and performance shots. We will do the performance shots on Thursday night. I strongly suggest that you also watch Wednesday night so that you'll be able to plan and anticipate your shots. Also try to get some pictures after school while the kids are getting ready to get ready.... We need as many cameras there as possible!
Student Choreography Show DUE: Monday, 9/28
What is your most treasured item? If your house were on fire, what is the ONE thing you would grab before you left (assuming that everything else will be destroyed)? What is the function of our yearbook? Who reads our yearbook?
Today, we'll continue preparing to choosing a theme by brainstorming:
ASSIGNMENT: Ask 10 people for key words or phrases that describes FWAFA for that person. Keep a list of who said what.
DUE: Wednesday, 9/16
To begin preparing to choose a theme for our book, we'll first make an inventory of our school together. We'll list (besides the obvious school name/address):
For tomorrow, be thinking about what is the function of a yearbook?
DUE: Tuesday, 9/8 at the end of class.
I would like you to open up Word and write some guidelines (rules) that you think we should be using in our blog posts. I've seen some pretty inflammatory posts and some harsh statements stated as fact, as well as some inappropriate comments. We need to consider things like:
Do any of these things need to be addressed and/or defined? How would you define them? Are any of them non-issues? What should the issues be? We'll talk about some of this in class. I'm just looking for your thoughts and ideas about this - I'm not looking for anything formal. Your ideas will be put into a contract that you will sign and return to me so that we all understand what the "rules" are on our blog site.
DUE: today at the end of the period. Save this as: bloggingGuidelines.rtf in your MyDocuments folder. Submit this file into the Drop Box on your blog page. BE SURE YOUR NAME AND CLASS PERIOD ARE IN THE FILE!!!
When/If you finish with this assignment, spend the rest of your time thoughtfully commenting on other's blogs or working on the crossword puzzle on the home page of fwafaTech.net. If you need another puzzle, go to: Boatload Puzzles.
This is the link to our blog pages: Class Press. Only the students in your class will be able to see your posts. Your posts will not appear in a Google search. This is all between us!
I will give you your login and password information in class and then we'll get going. I'll show you how around the site and how you can customize the look of your blog
Your first assignment is posted there already. Please login and check it out.
DUE: Tuesday, 9/8 at the end of class.
I want to check the notes that you took during the video. These are the notes that I took: Computer History Notes - you are free to use these however you need. Once I have done that, you may use them to take this brief quiz based on the video:
DUE: midnight tonight 8/31 via email. Check the list in the right column for your class's email address. Title your email:
Please check out these pdf files and let me know if you are able to attend either or both Boot Camp and/or the StudioWorks Workshop.
Taylor Publishing Boot Camp (pdf)
Taylor Publishing StudioWorks Workshop (pdf)