Placeholders in templates
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan the layout of a document by choosing a suitable template.
Key learning points
- Templates are premade layouts of a document that can be used as starting points for creations.
- The orientation of a page can be either landscape or portrait.
- Placeholders are areas on a template that show where text or images will go.
Keywords
Template - premade layout of a document
Orientation - the direction a page is set up to face
Placeholder - an area on a template that shows where text or images will go
Common misconception
It is easier to create a document by adding all the detail first and changing the layout later.
It's more efficient to plan the layout first before adding all the details. Organising the structure early helps avoid major formatting changes later, making the document easier to edit and read.
Teacher tip
Pupils can use the premade templates on Canva or the downloadable file. You could also use other software to model how templates are used. Modelling how to use a template helps pupils understand how placeholders guide content layout and can be adapted for their own designs.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device with software that allows editing and formatting text. Examples in this lesson use Google Slides https://oak.link/google-slides and Canva https://oak.link/canva
File needed for this lesson
Newsletter templates 220.72 KB (PPTX)
Download this file to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which software helps you to create cards, posters, and certificates?
Q2.What is the term for the style in which text appears on a document?
Q3.Match each formatting option to the correct description.
changes the shade of the text, for example from red to blue
makes text thicker and stand out more
makes text slanted for emphasis
adds a line beneath the text
Q4.Arrange the steps for changing the font style in a document.
Q5.If you want your heading to stand out, what might you change?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a template in desktop publishing?
Q2.What is the term for the direction a page is set up to face?
Q3.What word describes a box in a template that shows where to add an image?
Q4.Why is it helpful to use placeholders in templates?
Q5.Which approach is more efficient when creating a document?
Q6.Put these steps in order for using a template to make a poster.
To help you plan your 3 computing lesson on: Placeholders in templates, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 computing lesson on: Placeholders in templates, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 computing lessons from the Desktop publishing unit, dive into the full primary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.