Hey there, educators! Did you know that you can create stunning classroom worksheets, like the one I'm about to show you, using the AI-powered design tool Microsoft Designer? As a teacher, I'm always looking for ways to save time, and Designer makes it so fast and easy to create educational materials!
In this blog post, I'll walk you through the process of designing a worksheet that's both visually appealing and educational.
1. Getting started with Microsoft Designer
- On the Microsoft Designer home screen, navigate to Design Creator and begin with a blank canvas.
- Hover over your canvas so the toolbox appears and hit Resize.
- When the options appear, select Show all and scroll down until you see US letter portrait. This is the one you want to make your worksheet print-ready.
In this example, I'm creating a worksheet to accompany a podcast lesson. Podcasts are a fantastic way to enhance students' listening skills, and a companion worksheet helps check their comprehension.
2. Add eye-catching text
- Click on the left panel where it says Text, and you'll find a variety of text options to choose from. For this worksheet, I'm using a hollow font for the main heading, which will create a cool effect when we add another layer later on.
- Next, let's add another text element, but this time, we'll use a solid font. To achieve a striking effect, layer the solid text over the hollow text we added earlier.
3. Add visuals and arrange your elements
One of the great features of Microsoft Designer is the Visuals option in the left panel. Here, you'll find a wide range of graphics that you can incorporate into your worksheet.
Since I want my students to use a quote from the podcast, I'm searching for graphics that provide space for them to write inside. My students also love to draw, so I'm looking for an element with an easel or an art theme, allowing them to design a poster.
- Use the Visuals panel to customize the worksheet with fun images that complement your theme. Consider using black and white visuals so students can color them in. These worksheets look great on a bulletin board for everyone to admire!
- Once you have all the desired elements on your canvas, resize and arrange them to create a balanced layout. Don't forget to leave space for students to write a summary of the podcast.
4. Create space for writing
- To create lines for students to write on, simply press "L" on your keyboard and drag the line anywhere on the page.
- Alternatively, you can head back to the Visuals panel and search for "lines," or explore the options under Graphics > Lines. I found a great option that I duplicated and aligned to provide ample writing space.
5. Customize the text and themes
- Now it's time to add text to your worksheet. I chose a bold, easy-to-read font for the instructions and questions.
Feel free to customize the text to suit your specific lesson or activity, whether it's a podcast, chapter review, or book report. The beauty of this template is that you can easily modify the text for future worksheets.
6. Download and print!
- Hit Download to download your design in a .pdf format, ready for printing and easy sharing.
- The design will also be saved in your account's My designs section so you can return to it later. Consider organizing your designs into themes or instructional units to make lesson planning easier the next time around.
- You're done!🎉
By following these simple steps and leveraging Microsoft Designer's text and visual elements, you can design custom worksheets that captivate your students and enhance their learning experience. Head to designer.microsoft.com and start creating your own stunning worksheets today!