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Students will become familiar with basic yearbook spread design principles and create a layout using food manipulatives.
Each student/small group will need the following:
1 x printed dummy sheet (in 9×12 size if possible so the objects fit, not the mini versions)
2 x graham crackers
2 x Airhead
1 x M&M (each color)
60-80 cheeze-its
6 x stick pretzels
2 x twizzlers
1 x chocolate chip
1 x white chocolate chip
4 x Fruit Loops
1 x Kit-Kat
7-10 x marshmallows
I first made this lesson because I knew I was going to be evaluated and was searching for an idea that would have my students super engaged. I found a biology lesson that involved making a cell out of food items and thought it would be fun to adapt to a yearbook spread. It turned out WAY better than I ever anticipated, and became one of my favorite lessons to teach.
It takes some time to prepare this lesson but it is worth it!
In this download, you’ll find:
PRIOR TO THIS LESSON
Take students through basic yearbook design. This will introduce the terminology needed to complete this lesson.
PREP
All of the food items are interchangeable for something else if you cannot find something specific. Swap the M&M’s for Skittles, use Fruity Pebbles for Fruit Loops, etc. Just be sure to change the directions. Count out the supplies or arrange them for easy pickup as needed. The Cheez-its are always what students end up needing to come back for.
Place a yearbook at each student’s desk. Prep a set of food for each set of partners/small groups. Print handouts (page 2).
QUESTIONS
EXPLAIN
Good designers begin with a plan. Creating a paper “blueprint” allows for creativity to flow and easy brainstorming. The connection between your brain and hand is much more natural than your brain and the computer mouse.
Today we are going to look at how good looking layouts are made using food as the elements of the layout! We’ll also look into a few parts of the design software interface that will help us make these layouts on the computer.
ACTIVITY
Each food represents a certain element of a yearbook spread. Using the rules of design and your notes, create a great looking (and delicious!) layout. Once you get the OK from me that the layout meets all the rules, you can enjoy your snacks!
Shout-out to Kelly Juntunen for coming up with the title for this lesson!!
