Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Computing—Term 6
We are publishers

Background Information
In this unit, the pupils produce a class yearbook or school magazine using desktop publishing tools. They source, write, edit and combine images and text from a range of sources.
The pupils will put their software skills and understanding to good use through working collaboratively on a large project. They will ‘select, use and combine software’ such as desktop publishing and word-processing packages ‘to design and create content’ for a yearbook or school magazine. This process will include ‘collecting’ and ‘presenting information’. The pupils need to be ‘discerning in evaluating’ the content they and their peers produce to ensure it is of high enough quality for their publication. They will also make use of the ‘opportunities for communication and collaboration’ provided through the school’s network and, perhaps, the internet.

In this unit the children will…
manage or contribute to large collaborative projects, facilitated using online tools
write and review content s
source digital media while demonstrating safe, respectful and responsible
use design and produce a high-quality print document.

By the end of this unit….
All children will:
Contribute to the planning of the magazine/ yearbook
Source content for their pages
Word-process text
Combine words and pictures to create pages
Spot and correct errors in content
Compare the cost of printing options
Most children will:
Take responsibility for developing pages for the magazine/yearbook
Use collaborative software to plan and create content for their pages
Word-process text quickly and to a good standard
Pay attention to principles of good design when designing and creating pages or spreads
Provide constructive, critical feedback to others
Identify the best printing option
Some children will:
Take a lead in the development of the magazine/yearbook
Think critically about the quality of content
Word-process text, taking into account the needs of their audience
Lead the overall structure and design for the magazine/yearbook
Take a lead in ensuring the content of the whole magazine/yearbook is of the highest
standard

The children will explore:
Planning—look at examples of Yearbooks
Commissioning and sourcing content
Words and pictures—scanning and importing photos
Assembling pages
Assembling and reviewing the magazine
Reviewing, editing and printing

Key Vocabulary
DTP: Desktop publishing. Software and hardware system designed to produce high quality print (or equivalent digital) media by users without experience in publishing or printing.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Publisher