Year 3

Creating media – Desktop publishing

During this unit, learners will become familiar with the terms ‘text’ and ‘images’ and understand that they can be used to communicate messages. They will use desktop publishing software and consider careful choices of font size, colour and type to edit and improve premade documents. Learners will be introduced to the terms ‘templates’, ‘orientation’, and ‘placeholders’ and begin to understand how these can support them in making their own template for a magazine front cover. They will start to add text and images to create their own pieces of work using desktop publishing software. Learners will look at a range of page layouts thinking carefully about the purpose of these and evaluate how and why desktop publishing is used in the real world.

Lesson 1- Words and Pictures

LO:To recognise how text and images convey information

I can explain the difference between text and images
I can recognise that text and images can communicate messages clearly
I can identify the advantages and disadvantages of using text and images

In this lesson, learners will become familiar with the terms ‘text’ and ‘images’ and understand that text and images need to be used carefully to communicate messages clearly. Learners will be able to give advantages and disadvantages of using text, images, or both text and images to communicate messages effectively.

Lesson 2 - Can you edit it? LO: To recognise that text and layout can be edited

I can change font style, size, and colours for a given purpose
I can edit text
I can explain that text can be changed to communicate more clearly

This lesson will build on last week’s lesson, in which we looked at using images and text to communicate a message effectively. In this lesson we will look at desktop publishing. Learners will think about how to make careful choices regarding font size, colour, and type in an invitation. The use of the Return, Backspace, and Shift keys will be explored and learners will be taught how to type age-appropriate punctuation marks. This will build on the typing skills learned in the Year 1 ‘Digital painting’ unit. Learners will understand that once content has been added, it can be rearranged on the page.

Lesson 3 - Great template

LO: To choose appropriate page settings

I can define the term 'page orientation'
I can recognise placeholders and say why they are important
I can create a template for a particular purpose

In this lesson, pupils looked at the role of an editorial designer, being the person who is responsible for putting content together. Children were introduced to the terms 'templates', 'orientation', and 'placeholders' within desktop publishing software. We created missing posters by hand and next week, we will create the same poster online. The learners will create their own magazine template, which they will add content to during the next lesson.

Lesson 4 - Great template part 2

In this lesson, pupils looked at the role of an editorial designer, being the person who is responsible for putting content together. Children were introduced to the terms 'templates', 'orientation', and 'placeholders' within desktop publishing software. We created missing posters by hand and next week, we will create the same poster online. The learners will create their own magazine template, which they will add content to during the next lesson.

Lesson 5 - Lay it out

LO: To consider how different layouts can suit different purposes

I can identify different layouts
I can match a layout to a purpose
I can choose a suitable layout for a given purpose

In this lesson, learners will think about the different ways information can be laid out on a page. They will look at a range of page layouts such as letters and newspapers, and begin to think about the purpose of each of these.