Submitted by Cynthia Gaub, North
Middle School, Everett, Washington
Unit: Digital Photography with PhotoShop
(Alternate
- Mandala from Fine Art)
Grade Level: 6, 7, 8 (Cynthia has mixed level classes)
High
School Examples - Marianne Galyk, Ridgemont High School, OH.
Objectives:
-
Student will use Photoshop to
manipulate a photograph (You can get Photoshop from the Adobe Education Store
)
-
Students will learn proper use of
networks to save and manage files.
-
Students will learn to use
Photoshop tools: Lasso tool, Move tool, copy and paste, layers and
color manipulation
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| Click for larger
image |
Example
by special ed student |
High School example -
from Marianne Galyk Ridgemont High School, OH |
Materials &
Preparation:
Instructional Resources:
Vocabulary:
Mandala, JPEG, Browse,
Network, Edit, Copy, Layer
BEFORE lesson:
Make sure to save a folder of copyright
free images that the kids can access. Pick pictures that are bright in
color and simple in pattern. Print out copies of the step-by-step
directions. If working with MANY classes, print one class set and put
in plastic page protectors for repeated use.
Procedures:
1. Share with students the meaning of
Mandala.
2. Show images of a variety of art
Mandalas.
3. On a projector demonstrate the
entire process, have the students follow along with the handout.
4. Clearly describe the necessary steps
for finding and saving files on your particular network with the “Browse
for Files” feature in PhotoShop. If necessary create a handout or write
on the board for kids to reference.
5. Have kids use the handout
to work on their own to create and save at least one Mandala.
Extensions and Adaptation:
Advanced students might
layer multiple images on top of each other to create
a more complex Mandala. No adaptation was done for
special ed students and ESL students.
Assessment:
See
Rubric (pdf file) 
Alternate Lessons:
Alex Peshett http://imet.csus.edu/imet1/peshette/mandalas/
Kris Fontes http://www.krisfontes.com/mandaladirections.htm
- This book is a practical guide to mandala drawing. Fincher introduces the history and ritual use of mandalas in cultures all over the world and discusses the symbolism of shapes, colors, numbers, and motifs, such as birds and flowers.