Middle School Grades 6-8 Creating Calendars in Publisher

Focusing Questions How can I create a calendars using Microsoft Publisher? What custom features are available when I create a calendar using Publisher? What are the benefits of creating my personal calendar with the software?

Instruction

Framing The Session Often we find it difficult to plan ahead because we do not know what the future will hold. However, if we start plotting upcoming events on a calendar we can better organize our plans and be prepared for the future. For instance, most teachers will give you dates of when your upcoming assignments and tests will be held. Wouldn’t it be nice to have all the information on a calendar? If you put your events on a calendar, you will be more prepared. You will be able to study in advance. You will not be shocked when your teacher announces the test is coming in a few days because you put it on the calendar a week ago when your teacher first announced it. When I show you how to create a calendar today, you will be more prepared. You can mark all the upcoming events in your life. In addition, you will be able to show teachers how to use the calendar feature of Publisher. They will be glad you showed it to them because teachers always want to be organized.

Teaching Now it is your turn to try. You are going to create your personal calendar using Microsoft Publisher. I will give you some sample dates to put into your calendar. You will also install graphics and customize your calendar to meet your requirements. Lastly, you will print your calendar.

Guided Practice Step 1- Select a calendar template Step 2- Add the following activity dates: May 5- Math Test, May 8 – Science Test, May 11- History Collage Due, May 22- Field Trip Step 3- Add three pictures to your calendar.

Work Time

Getting Started Getting Started Take the next 15 minutes to do the following: Participants will... Step 1 –Under New from Design Menu – Select Publications for Print Step 2- Click Calendars. Step 3- Click on a calendar template. Step 4- Input personal info- Click ok. Step 5- Click on photo Step 6- Click on insert photo icon Step 7- Select photo from directory- click ok Adding text to dates Step 1- Click on date Step 2- Click enter or return to move cursor below date Step 3- Type text.

Getting Started Adding Graphics to Dates Step 1- Click on date Step 2- Move cursor to location where you want the graphic Step 3- Top menu- Insert Picture Step 4- Select either clip art or from file Step 5- Insert Step 6- Click on photos corner tab to resize to fit cell. To print Step 1- File –Print Preview Step 2- Make sure printer is set to print landscape Step 3- Click printer icon to begin printing.

Work Time Students should work in groups to create personal calendars. They should work together to assist and set goals.

Share

Ask selected participants to share particularly good examples of their work. Ask- How did the calendar helps us organize and plan for future events? Share

Today we discovered the calendar template feature of Microsoft Publisher. We created well organized personal calendars that will help us plan for the future. Share

How does this work address the questions that began the session? Microsoft Publisher includes a template for users to create custom, personal calendars. Users can customize the fonts, cells, and text in the calendar. They can also add graphics. A personal calendar allows students to plan for the future and be successful at home and in school.