Home > English teachers Group > Discussion Board

I will be taking over as the yearbook teacher/sponsor next school year.  While I have had previous experience as the newspaper sponsor and Journalism teacher, I know that the two are completely different monsters.  I NEED HELP and advice and where to even begin.  What things should I be working on this summer to be ready for the first day of class next year?  Seriously?  Where do I even start?  Any and all advice will be MUCH appreciated.

1. Determine a budget. 
2. Decide on a design, whether print or cd, or dvd. 
3. Think about a theme for your yearbook. 
4. Design the pages of the book
5. a) title page
6. b) school employees
7. c) class and group pictures of students and teachers
8.  d) club and project pictures
9. e) various pics from school
10. f) autograph pages
11. Choose a software package that is inexpensive and can lay out yearbook pictures and has design
12. Form a committee to divide up the work and allow students access to software so they can design the bulk of the work themselves.
13. Set up a time schedule for development. 
14. Determine a price for the yearbook. 

First of all, contact the company that publishes your yearbook. They have LOADS of information & materials, as well as on-call assistance. Get whatever they have and find out who your go-to contact person is. Call him/her and ask for information on who is a really good, experienced person who has your job in another school, and ask to be put in contact with that teacher.

Second, join the National Council of Teachers of English discussion boards. You don't have to be a paid member of NCTE to participate (at least, I don't think you do, but I haven't been on in a while). Post this same question to the discussion boards, and watch the advice come rolling in.

Good luck! You'll do a great job.