Exploring Canva Basics

Overview

This 30-minute class introduces 9th-grade students to Canva, a user-friendly graphic design tool. Students will learn foundational skills including setting up a Canva account, navigating the interface, and creating a simple design. This lesson aligns with Common Core State Standards by developing digital literacy, communication, and collaboration skills critical for technology fluency.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• LO1: Navigate the Canva interface to create a new project.
• LO2: Use basic tools such as templates, text, and images to design a simple flyer.
• LO3: Demonstrate understanding of digital communication by effectively combining text and visuals.
• LO4: Collaborate and share their work through Canva’s sharing features.

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Common Core Alignment

Standard	Description
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6	Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.5	Make strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7	Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words into visual forms (e.g., a chart or graphic).

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Materials Needed

• Chromebook or laptop per student
• Internet access
• Projector and screen for demonstration
• Canva accounts set up prior (teacher pre-creates accounts or students do as part of warm-up if possible)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Set-up (5 minutes)

• Engage: Briefly discuss where students encounter graphic design in daily life (ads, social media, posters).
• Explain Objective: "Today we'll start creating our own designs using Canva, focusing on basic tools."
• Account Setup: Guide any students without accounts through quick sign-up.

2. Guided Tour of Canva (8 minutes)

• Instructor-led Demo: Using projector, demonstrate:
  • How to start a new design (e.g., flyer format)
  • Overview of the left panel (templates, elements, text, uploads)
  • How to add and edit text (fonts, size, color)
  • How to add images and backgrounds
• Encourage students to follow on their own devices.

3. Hands-on Activity (12 minutes)

• Task: Each student creates a simple flyer for a school event or a fictional club using:
  • One template from the library
  • 2 text boxes (title + description)
  • 1 image or graphic element
• Teacher Role: Circulate, assist with questions, and encourage creativity.

4. Share & Reflect (5 minutes)

• Students pair up and share their screens or devices with a partner to discuss design choices.
• Volunteers present their flyer to the class briefly, explaining how visuals and text work together.
• Teacher emphasizes the digital communication standards and how design choices affect clarity and engagement.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observe students during hands-on activity to check understanding of interface and tool use.
• Summative: Collect screenshots of completed flyers by end of class to evaluate use of Canva features and alignment of text-image communication.
• Self-assessment: Exit ticket prompt - “What was one new Canva tool you learned today, and how could you use it in other projects?”

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Extension Ideas

• Assign students to explore additional Canva features such as color schemes and animation for next class.
• Integrate writing prompts with Canva designs, connecting graphic design with narrative structure per CCSS writing standards.

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Teacher Tips

• Use age-appropriate examples that appeal to teens (sports events, clubs, social causes).
• Emphasize safe and responsible online collaboration and sharing via Canva.
• Encourage experimentation to reduce fear around technology use.

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By weaving Common Core standards into a practical technology skill, this lesson plan not only introduces Canva but fosters critical communication and digital literacy competencies essential for 9th-grade learners across subjects.