Intro to Photoshop - Lesson PlanJenna Bousellam

50 minutes

  1. Welcome / Introduction (10 min)
  2. Help students log on to computers and open Photoshop
  3. Explain how many uses Photoshop can have in the real world and ask the students how they believe Photoshop can be used in the real world
  4. Ask students to choose the image they want to color from the images I selected (in class folder)
  1. Introduce the Tools (20 min)
  2. Key Term: Background
  3. Explain that this is the background the image is on and to not use it for when you want to color in a specific field
  4. Key Term: Layers
  5. Encourage the use of layers while they are doing their projects so that they will have more flexibility with their project
  6. Show how to hide layer, change opacity, duplicate layer, delete layer, rename layer
  7. Key Term: Selection tool
  8. Explain to students what it does (basically like the mouse key), show how to use it, and tell them to try it themselves
  9. Key Term: Fill and Stroke
  10. Show how the fill changes the color of an object and how stroke changes the outline color of the object
  11. Key Term: Magic Wand
  12. Show how the magic wand tool selects a specific area and how to use it in combination with the paint bucket tool
  13. Key Term: Paint bucket tool
  14. Show how the paint bucket fills in an enclosed area and how to use it in combination with the magic wand to color in a certain area of their picture
  15. Key Term: Gradient
  16. Show them how to use premade gradients to color in an area of their picture
  17. At the end, for more advanced students, individually show how to make their own gradients
  18. Key Term: Paintbrush tool
  19. Show them the different sizes and types of brushes they can use to add texture to their sections they filled in with the paint bucket tool
  20. After describing each tool, tell students to try it out themselves and walk around to make sure they are doing okay
  1. Start Coloring Picture (20 min)
  2. Encourage students to start coloring in their pictures with the new tools
  3. Show different techniques to add shading, textures, and making the picture look more realistic
  4. Answer any additional questions students may have as I walk around the room
  5. Explain how this project is the start to future projects with Photoshop