Yearbook

Instructor Image

Teacher: Keicha Barnum
Date/Time: Monday - 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Recommended Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Department: Other Electives
Grade Level: High School (9th-12th)

Course Description: Yearbook is more than a class; it is the answer to “When would I ever use this is in real life?" In this course, students gain useful life skills in time management, leadership, marketing, teamwork, and design principles. Each week students will be given challenging real-world projects and assignments essential to the creation of the MAS yearbook. Classroom activities will include technical instruction in computer design and layout, marketing and money management, photography, and editing using computer applications such as Microsoft Excel, Adobe InDesign and Canva. Students will often work in teams, but will be expected to complete individual assignments in relation to the team’s work. Exciting team building exercises and interactive staff meetings are creatively integrated into weekly assignments making for a fun and educational experience.


Major Course Objectives: At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Define terms related to graphic arts/desktop publishing.
  • Manage electronic files (e.g., storage, naming files, retrieval).
  • Exhibit leadership skills through a student organization.
  • Plan a preliminary layout for a publication using manual or digital tools.
  • Develop a work schedule to meet deadlines.
  • Create eye-catching flyers and advertisements.
  • Create an Excel Worksheet to record sales.
  • Apply proofreading and editing techniques to graphic arts/desktop publishing files.
  • Use a digital camera to acquire appropriate resolution images.
  • Import files and images from various sources (e.g., software-specific library, other applications, internet).
  • Create appropriate headlines.
  • Position captions.
  • Apply design principles (e.g., movement, balance, symmetry).
  • Apply layering techniques in publications.
  • Match the design to the appropriate audience.
  • Create a resume and interview for a staff position.
  • Demonstrate ability to deliver presentations.
  • Demonstrate ability to function as a team member.


Course Outline: (subject to change based upon student needs and teacher discretion)

  • Introduction to Yearbook
  • Teambuilding
  • Interview skills
  • Training:
    • Introduction to the Graphic Design and Publishing Industries
    • Introduction to the equipment:
      • Computer, scanner, printer, camera
  • Elements and Principles of Design
    • Color, space, balance, harmony, repetition/pattern
  • Journalistic Writing:
    • Story writing, caption writing
  • Typography:
    • Typefaces, typographic measurement, typographic standards, typographic guidelines
  • Creating and Editing Images for Print:
    • Formats, resolution, raster V’s vector, ethics, copyright laws
  • Take and Edit Pictures
  • Promotions, Sales and Advertising
  • Publish Yearbook
  • Leadership


Course Materials:

  • Laptop
  • Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 [BOOK] John C. Maxwell


Contact:  kbarnum@barnumcreativeresources.com

Tuition:  $70/month (minimum of 7 students)

GDOE Course Codes:

Introduction to Business & Technology
Business Management & Administration Career Cluster Introduction to Business & Technology Course Number 07.44130

Business and Technology
Business Management and Administration Career Cluster Business and Technology Course Number: 07.44100