Many freshmen walk into high school on the first day without that one class, teacher or group that provides a sense of belonging. Besides creating an amazing yearbook our school can be proud of, my goal as a yearbook adviser has always been to give my students a place to belong in junior high. Another…
Let’s face it, anyone who has advised, been editor-in-chief, or worked on staff knows that making an even “mediocre” yearbook is a ton of work. So why not strive for something great? A middle school yearbook can be just as good — or better — than a high school one.
Having trouble keeping down the costs for your yearbook? Want to give parents a fun way to show off how cute their teenager was as a baby? Sell eighth grade baby ads!
Assuming the position of middle school yearbook adviser, which is usually part of a full teaching schedule, can be an overwhelming task. While middle school yearbooks may not be of the same magnitude as those created at the high school level, they provide unique challenges and require significant planning as well as creativity.
Advising a middle school yearbook staff sometimes feels like a game of telephone. Remember that game? You whisper, “I like cheese,” to the first person in line, only to end up with, “Did you know that Sarah is dating Bobby?” at the end of the line.
What has 50 legs, questions everything, talks all the time and cannot follow directions? A middle school journalism class. In fact, that is my middle school journalism class. However, the news is good. You can tame this beast with the proper tools and the patience of a saint.
A yearbook’s success depends a great deal on the students selected for the job. The adviser’s job is to help guide students and teach them what is right and wrong, but all students selected should be self-motivated and willing to work.
One of the biggest challenges of putting together the middle school yearbook is getting photo coverage of every school event. Read how one staff tackles this by using a couple of effective strategies.
The challenge for a middle school adviser trying to implement yearbook best practices is a balance of giving students an opportunity to explore a new, enriching possibility while enlisting responsible individuals to produce a high-quality product. This all begins with the selection process.
“Yearbook advisor was one of the most rewarding parts of this school year for me, because I was able to work one-on-one with great kids and help them create something of which they are proud,” Wiley said. “I am part of chronicling the year’s events and capturing the best in the students and staff at the middle school. That’s a priceless experience!”
