Lay it on the Line
Module 1, Activity 7.3 - Design and Layout
Teacher Page
(student page for this lesson)

Introduction:

In this lesson, students focus on the role of design and layout in print journalism. They start with design problems that build awareness that design is a process, then look at composition of photographs they have already taken. Finally they learn some design terminology to apply to newspaper layout. All of these concepts and terms provide students with building blocks they need for the group project they create in Lesson 7.4

Activities:

Task One - Power of Design
Start by reviewing the basic structure of the design process.

The Design Process:

1. Determine the Need
2. Brainstorm
3. Design the Brief
4. Research
5. Plan
6. Fabricate
7. Evaluate

1. Read the problem
2. State the factors involved
3. Come up with a potential solution in the form of a thumbnail sketch
4. Compare the solution to the one presented by the author.

First, work on problem one as a class using Ron Reason's on-line design problems. Then have students try the other problems by themselves or with a partner. Spend about 5-10 minutes on each problem.

Task Two - Kick-start the "Perfect Picture"
In this task, students need to make the transition from design as a process, to taking pictures as a process. Start with the concept that we always have an intended audience and purpose when we create a representation to be viewed. Then discuss their design solutions and how they "composed" their solutions. Explain that compositions is a part of taking photographs, and ask them to pull up their photographs from lesson 7.2. If they did not do this lesson, other amateur photographs found by an image search would work.

Task Two Continued. . .
Students start by reading a short on-line tutorial on on composition. Once they have completed the tutorial, have them start looking at their own photographs critically. Have them look at the photograph that they consider the worst. After discussing technical issues like "I accidentally covered the lens", move on to composition problems.

Next have students select their best photographs, and describe why they are good. Focus on building vocabulary through use of the technical terms in the context of language cues. Conclude the task by having students re-phrase the principles of composition and generalize what they have learned.

Task Three - Parts of the Paper review
Have students read over the list of the parts of a newspaper page and review the terminology from the the lesson on Parts of a Newspaper. Use drill and practice techniques to help them re-acquire terminology or teach a mini-lesson on pneumonic devices to help them review the terms rapidly. Then have students try the drag and drop quizzes on the student page for this lesson. As you proceed into projects that use the terminology of newspaper layout, use the terminology frequently in context to help students internalize the vocabulary.

Assessment and Evaluation:

This lesson focuses on the self assessment through problem solving, analysis of created work and self tests. Because concepts are being introduced this is an inappropriate time formal summative evaluation. If you wish students to have a formative tool, have them try one of the quizzes in the student lesson before acquiring the terminology and them have them try it again after to assess improvement.