Image creation & editing
Welcome to Digital Images! In this strand, you will master creating digital art, capturing photos, using layers, editing pictures, designing vector graphics, and ethical media remixing.
Digital painting and basic art tools.
Learning objective
Let's Go!
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Look at this digital canvas. What shapes and colors do you see?
What tools made them?
Teacher note: Facilitate the See, Think, Wonder routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Form (Expression takes many forms through creative technology.).
Learn
Digital painting software gives you an endless canvas! You can choose different brush textures, change colors instantly, and undo mistakes without wasting paper. In computing, expression takes many forms through creative technology. As you explore the interactive Drawing Layers Simulator below, focus on how to change art with a filter.
Maintain comfortable breathing space (margins) so eye movement flows naturally across the headline.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
🚀 Open a practice space
Use digital painting tool.
Select brush size/colour.
Change art with a filter.
Compare paper vs digital art.
⭐ Mastering Standard
⭐ Mastering StandardWhen you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Teacher notes: Facilitate the See, Think, Wonder routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Form (Expression takes many forms through creative technology.).
Curriculum strand: LC.01.B.3.6
Outcome: IMG-O-01 — Digital painting and basic art tools.
PYP: Form · Expression takes many forms through creative technology.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Which tool icon is used to fill a whole shape with color instantly in a paint app?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Digital photography and framing composition.
Learning objective
Let's Go!
Routine: Zoom In
Look closely at this focused photo detail. What do you notice about lighting and focus?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Zoom In routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Function (Visual images communicate messages across languages.).
Learn
Taking great digital photos requires good framing and steady focus. Holding your camera steady, using natural light, and keeping subject in focus makes your pictures clear and engaging. In computing, visual images communicate messages across languages. As you explore the interactive Screenshot Simulator below, focus on how to create content for purpose.
Loyal, gentle family dog known for intelligence and playful temperament.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
🚀 Open a practice space
Take a digital photo.
Resize image in document.
Create content for purpose.
Evaluate image suitability.
⭐ Mastering Standard⭐ Mastering StandardWhen you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Routine: Zoom In
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Zoom In routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Function (Visual images communicate messages across languages.).
Curriculum strand: CM.01.B.1.2
Outcome: IMG-O-02 — Digital photography and framing composition.
PYP: Function · Visual images communicate messages across languages.
Learner profile: Communicator
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "What is the best way to avoid blurry photos when taking a digital picture?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Layering, text overlay, and composite images.
Learning objective
Let's Go!
Routine: Think, Puzzle, Explore
How do artists place text over background images without covering important details?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Think, Puzzle, Explore routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Connection (Combining media layers creates richer visual storytelling.).
Learn
Layers work like transparent sheets stacked on top of each other! You can edit a background photo on Layer 1 while adding drawings or titles on Layer 2 without ruining the photo underneath. In computing, combining media layers creates richer visual storytelling. As you explore the interactive File Extension Simulator below, focus on how to create conceptual meme/poster.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
🚀 Open a practice space
Create simple Drawing.
Place text over image.
Create conceptual meme/poster.
Describe layer usage.
⭐ Mastering Standard⭐ Mastering StandardWhen you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Routine: Think, Puzzle, Explore
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Think, Puzzle, Explore routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Connection (Combining media layers creates richer visual storytelling.).
Curriculum strand: LC.02.B.3.6
Outcome: IMG-O-03 — Layering, text overlay, and composite images.
PYP: Connection · Combining media layers creates richer visual storytelling.
Learner profile: Thinker
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "If you want text to appear on top of a photo background in Google Drawings or Canva, which layer should the text be on?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Cropping, aspect ratio, and non-destructive filtering.
Learning objective
Let's Go!
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Look at these two versions of the same photo. How does cropping change what your eyes focus on?
Teacher note: Facilitate the See, Think, Wonder routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Change (Modifying digital artifacts changes their tone and message.).
Learn
Editing photos allows you to refine your message. Cropping removes unwanted background distractions, while adjusting brightness, contrast, or filters changes the mood and tone of your image. In computing, modifying digital artifacts changes their tone and message. As you explore the interactive Generative AI Simulator below, focus on how to edit based on feedback.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
🚀 Open a practice space
Crop an image.
Apply simple photo filters.
Edit based on feedback.
Use copyright-free pics.
⭐ Mastering Standard⭐ Mastering StandardWhen you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Teacher notes: Facilitate the See, Think, Wonder routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Change (Modifying digital artifacts changes their tone and message.).
Curriculum strand: CM.02.B.1.1
Outcome: IMG-O-04 — Cropping, aspect ratio, and non-destructive filtering.
PYP: Change · Modifying digital artifacts changes their tone and message.
Learner profile: Principled
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "What does the 'Crop' tool do to an image?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Vector graphics, resizable paths, and object grouping.
Learning objective
Let's Go!
Routine: BeforeAfterSlider
Unlike bitmap photos made of pixels that blur when zoomed in, vector graphics are made of mathematical shapes and paths that stay crisp at any size!
Teacher note: Facilitate the BeforeAfterSlider routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Perspective (Vector shapes allow resolution-independent graphic design.).
Learn
Vector design software uses shapes (rectangles, circles, curves) that can be grouped, reordered, aligned, and scaled endlessly without losing quality. In computing, vector shapes allow resolution-independent graphic design. As you explore the interactive Drawing Layers Simulator below, focus on how to create layered vector graphic.
Maintain comfortable breathing space (margins) so eye movement flows naturally across the headline.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
🚀 Open a practice space
Use AutoDraw/vector icons.
Group multiple objects.
Create layered vector graphic.
Evaluate audience impact.
⭐ Mastering Standard⭐ Mastering StandardWhen you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Routine: BeforeAfterSlider
Teacher notes: Facilitate the BeforeAfterSlider routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Perspective (Vector shapes allow resolution-independent graphic design.).
Curriculum strand: CM.03.B.1.1
Outcome: IMG-O-05 — Vector graphics, resizable paths, and object grouping.
PYP: Perspective · Vector shapes allow resolution-independent graphic design.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "Why do vector graphics stay sharp and clean even when enlarged to the size of a billboard?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Background removal, media remixing, and ethical attribution.
Learning objective
Let's Go!
Routine: Step Inside
Imagine you are an artist whose picture was remixed online. How would you want others to credit your work?
Teacher note: Facilitate the Step Inside routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Reflection (Creative remixing requires technical skill and ethical respect for creators.).
Learn
Modern AI tools can instantly erase image backgrounds. Combining subjects from different photos allows you to create imaginative original compositions — while properly citing your sources! In computing, creative remixing requires technical skill and ethical respect for creators. As you explore the interactive Save Dialog Simulator below, focus on how to remix for original art.
Apply Simulator Skills • Try it yourself
🚀 Open a practice space
Remove photo background.
Use advanced removal tools.
Remix for original art.
Justify design choices & license.
⭐ Mastering Standard⭐ Mastering StandardWhen you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
Reflect
Learning check
Routine: Step Inside
Teacher notes: Facilitate the Step Inside routine for 2–3 minutes. Encourage students to connect the prompt to Reflection (Creative remixing requires technical skill and ethical respect for creators.).
Curriculum strand: CM.03.B.1.1
Outcome: IMG-O-06 — Background removal, media remixing, and ethical attribution.
PYP: Reflection · Creative remixing requires technical skill and ethical respect for creators.
Learner profile: Reflective
Accessibility alternative: Students may verbally explain or point to the correct answer for "When you use a Creative Commons image in your digital artwork remix, what must you always include?" with a teacher or teaching assistant.
Teacher override: allow
