Jefferson City High School

English I

Students enrolled in this course will engage in project-based learning, rigorous writing, and reading assignments. English I prepares students for the English II EOC assessment and follows MO learning standards. We will utilize online resources, HMH Into Literature text, Google Classroom, and Infinite Campus. 

Journalistic Writing

This class maintains an emphasis on reading, writing, and research with interdisciplinary studies in English and Social Studies. We will study and practice responsible journalism in school and in the media. This class will offer project-based opportunities and reflect potential career paths.

In this course,  students will study journalistic writing, which is the style used by news outlets to tell factual stories in print and digital media. We will learn the features in order to hold readers’ attention effectively with simplicity and brevity, precision, objectivity, fairness, and balance. This is a fast-paced, semester-long course with 7 units including: 

1. Media Law, Ethics & Responsible Journalism
2. Research & Efficiency Skills: News Story Report
3. Importance of the Media & Journalists in History to Today
4. Persuasive Writing: Editorials, Op-Eds & Opinion Pieces
5. Bonus Unit: Election 2024
6. Page Design, Photography & Feature Story Writing
7. School Newspaper & Student Publications

Yearbook Production

This class is not your ordinary class. From day one, we take photos and seek stories, inside and outside of Room 320. You will be expected to commit to deadlines, attend extracurricular activities and events both during and outside of school hours, and engage in inclusivity, curiosity and care. Students will take captivating photos that pair with creatively fun and detailed writing of the daily happenings in our school. This class requires you to step out of your comfort zone.

We have high expectations of being an active part of the Yearbook Staff, including doing your part with self-accountability and intrinsic motivation; effort in sales, advertising, and fundraising; and working together to help our Yearbook Team create a high-quality documentation of Jefferson City High School. The work done in this class will live on for students, alumni, family, friends, and the community to reflect on and remember for decades.

In this course,  journalism will be emphasized, and students will gain skills in page design, advanced publishing techniques, copywriting, editing, and photography, while producing a creative, innovative yearbook filled with school memories and events.  Students will gain useful, real world skills in time management, marketing, collaboration, and design principles.