Tomball Memorial High School – Advanced Journalism: Yearbook & Newspaper

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Students enrolled in Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine communicate in a variety of forms such as print, digital, or online media for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students are expected to plan, draft, and complete written and/or visual communications on a regular basis, carefully examining their copy for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English. In Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine, students are expected to become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. In addition, students will apply journalistic ethics and standards. Published works of professional journalists, technology, and visual and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine will refine and enhance their journalistic skills, research self‐selected topics, and plan, organize, and prepare a project(s) in one or more forms of media. Advanced Journalism – Yearbook Production I (JRN2100) Prerequisites: Journalism I for editor positions, Photojournalism I for photographer positions Requires application and sponsor approval This course teaches the elements and processes of magazine journalism with emphasis on the production of the school yearbook. Effective graphic design and good copywriting are emphasized as students undertake an intensive study of trends in contemporary yearbooks and magazines. Students also learn about advertising sales and design as they plan and implement an advertising campaign to defray costs of production. This course offers an overview of advertising, graphic design, copywriting, and publishing techniques and terminology. Strong emphasis is placed on writing, responsibility and a commitment to producing a high‐quality publication within time and budget constraints. Software programs utilized will be Microsoft Word, Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign. Students will be responsible for the design and sale of advertising and the sale and distribution of yearbooks. As necessary, students will be expected to stay after school to meet deadlines. Advanced Journalism – Yearbook Production II (JRN2200) Prerequisites: Advanced Journalism – Yearbook Production I Requires application and sponsor approval This course teaches the elements and processes of magazine journalism with emphasis on the production of the school yearbook. Effective graphic design and good copywriting are emphasized as students undertake an intensive study of trends in contemporary yearbooks and magazines. Students also learn about advertising sales and design as they plan and implement an advertising campaign to defray costs of production. This course offers an overview of advertising, graphic design, copywriting, and publishing techniques and terminology. Strong emphasis is placed on writing, responsibility, and a commitment to producing a high‐quality publication within time and budget constraints. Software programs utilized will be Microsoft Word, Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign. Students will be responsible for the design and sale of advertising and the sale and distribution of yearbooks. As necessary, students will be expected to stay after school to meet deadlines. Advanced Journalism – Yearbook Production III (JRN2300) This course further refines and develops journalistic skills as students function in key positions on the yearbook staff. Students will use their knowledge of graphic design and copywriting to plan and produce a yearbook, utilizing specific software programs. The students will also develop a budget for the publication, implement circulation and advertising campaigns, and complete the book within budget limits and by the deadline. Students will be responsible for the design and sale of advertising and the sale and distribution of yearbooks. As necessary, students will be expected to stay after school to meet deadlines. Advanced Journalism – Newspaper Production I (JRN1100) Prerequisites: Journalism I for staff positions, Photojournalism I for photographer positions Requires application and sponsor approval This course allows students to work in all phases of newspaper production: interviewing, writing, editing, and designing pages. They will also design and sell advertising (major grade) for each edition of the newspaper. Strong emphasis is placed on writing. Interpretive reporting is emphasized, and a study of libel is undertaken. Students will become proficient in the use of software programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign. Every four weeks at deadlines, students will be expected to work after school several days for about two hours. Advanced Journalism – Newspaper Production II (JRN1200) This course provides further opportunities to practice the journalistic skills learned in the first two years. In addition, students will guide the second‐year students in their assumption of production responsibility. While students in this course hold key positions on the school newspaper staff, strong emphasis is placed on individual development in journalistic writing and publications skills. Students will be required to design and sell advertising (major grade) for each edition of the newspaper. Every four weeks at deadlines, students will be expected to work after school several days for about two hours. Advanced Journalism – Newspaper Production III (JRN1300) This fourth‐year course further refines and develops students’ journalistic skills as they continue to function in key positions and guide the development of less‐experienced editors. Emphasis will be placed on individual writing projects for outside publications and on research into various aspects of the media with a focus on career planning. Students will be required to design and sell advertising for each edition of the newspaper. Students will be expected to work after the normal school day every four weeks atdeadlines. Independent Studies in Journalism – (JRN8000IS) Students enrolled in Independent Study in Journalism write in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students enrolled in this course are expected to plan, draft, and complete written communications on a regular basis, carefully examining their copy for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English. Students will become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. Published work of professional journalists, technology, and visual and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in Independent Study in Journalism will refine and enhance their journalistic skills, research self‐selected topics, plan, organize, and prepare a project(s).