The Image Collage lesson comes directly after the Color Collage lesson. In the previous color collage, students learned how to use Format options to Size a shape with specific width and height.
Why teach this lesson?
The BIGGEST mistake that students (and even some adults) make when resizing an image is squishing or squeezing the image. The image becomes distorted. No one wants a distorted image in a yearbook. In this lesson, students learn how to use the Size option on the Format options sidebar.
Shoutout
Before I move on, I would like to give a shout to Tony Vincent. I have personally participated in this Classy Graphics online workshop twice, and I am sure that there will be a third time. Each time I attend Tony's lessons, I learn something new. Tony inspired this SlidesYearbook Image Collage lesson.
Student Directions
I recommend that SlidesYearbook teachers use a whole-class Google Slides for the majority of the graphic design lessons. Students should learn from each other. Furthermore, teachers can give quicker feedback to students during class.
I refer to use Alice Keeler's Roster to Slides. Another option is to create a Google Slides that all students can Edit.
Instructions
LEARNING INTENTION: I will resize images to specific size.
SUCCESS CRITERIA: I am successful when I create a four image square collage with precise measurements.
DIRECTIONS
VIEW UNSPLASH PHOTOS
Professional photographers use the Unsplash website as a portfolio for potential jobs. We are allowed to use these photos, though we should always give proper credit. As a student, Unsplash is blocked, which is why I download photos into a shared folder. Open the folder to view the images.
INSERT AND RESIZE IMAGES
We will make a four image collage using Unsplash Photos. Go to your Google Slide and follow these directions:
Insert one Unsplash photo from the Shared folder.
Click on the image and select FORMAT OPTIONS.
Check Lock aspect ratio.
Resize the image to 4 width and 4 height.
Use your arrows to adjust the image.
Repeat steps 1-5 until you complete a four image collage.
PRIVATE COMMENT WRITING PROMPT
Look at your classmates' work in our whole class slide deck. Whose four image collage do you like the best? Name the student and explain why you like the collage. As always, make sure that you use correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. One typo is okay.
Teacher Preparation
Page Setup and Edit Theme
Like the Color Collage lesson, the teacher will need to change the Page setup to Custom size 8 inches x 8 inches. The teacher will also need to use Slide -> Edit Theme to move the text placeholder for the student's name in the top left corner off the slide. Please refer to the Color Collage lesson for additional directions.
Share Folder in Google Classroom
Unsplash photos is a website with high quality photos. The site, which allows photographers use to upload their photos as a portfolio to future jobs, is blocked for my junior high school students.
The day before the Four Image Square Collage lesson, I asked students for a list of places they would want to visit. I then searched Unsplash for those places and activities. Next, I added the link to a Google Classroom assignment.
It does not feel ethical to download and share those same images on my website, so this Google Doc lists example searches with links.
- In Google Drive, click on the folder you created.
- Select Get this link.
- Confirm that the link is shared with only your school district.
- Click Done.
- In a Google Classroom assignment, click the Link icon.
- Paste the folder link.
- Select Add link.
Example Student Work
Conclusion
My Yearbook students created designs from scratch using high quality photos. Each day, these students amaze me with their talent for graphic design. Our 2022-2023 yearbook created in Google Slides will be fabulous!
If you use or modify this lesson, I would love to hear from you. Contact me on Twitter or the email contact form. Click on the link below to add the hashtag #SlidesYearbook and to tag me.