🎨 Canva Workshop Companion

Create. Customize. Chill. Repeat.

“This isn’t a tutorial… this is a creation workshop. Let’s actually build stuff.” – basically Dr. Tarver yappin the whole time 😄

➡️ Get the Curriculum Companion Here!

🎯 Learning Goals (aka: Why we’re here)

By the end of this session, teachers will be able to:

• ✅ Navigate Canva with confidence (even after the glow-up)

• ✅ Create real classroom materials (not just “practice slides”)

• ✅ Use Canva’s Magic AI tools to save ridiculous amounts of time

• ✅ Design newsletters, headers, lessons, videos, and websites

• ✅ Leave with finished products, not just ideas

🧠 Big Takeaways (The “Don’t Miss This” Stuff)

• Canva ≠ just slides
  👉 It’s docs, whiteboards, video, websites, AI, and print

• Magic tools are your secret weapon 🪄
  (Magic Write, Magic Grab, Magic Eraser, Magic Expand)

• Canva for Education = Pro features for free

• If you leave today without at least one thing you’ll use tomorrow… we did it wrong 😅

🧩 Core Activities (Step-by-Step, Classroom-Ready)

📰 Activity 1: Build a Classroom Newsletter

Purpose: Parent communication without losing your weekend

Steps:

1. Search “Classroom Newsletter” in Canva

2. Choose a template (don’t start from scratch — ever)

3. Edit text using Magic Write

4. Customize colors using:

   • School logo → Photo Colors

   • Brand Kit (if available)

5. Add:

   • Contact info

   • QR code (YouTube, Google Classroom, LMS)

6. Download or share digitally

Pro Tip 💡
Title your file FIRST so Future You doesn’t hate Past You.

🎨 Activity 2: Design with Elements + Layers

Purpose: Make things look clean (not chaotic)

Practice:

• Add graphics → change colors

• Right-click → Layers

• Use Show Layers or Overlapping Layers

• Move items forward/back instead of dragging wildly 😬

Teacher win:
You stop fighting Canva. Canva starts working for you.

✍️ Activity 3: Magic Write (AI That Actually Helps)

Use it to:

• Expand a short paragraph

• Rewrite text as:

  • More fun

  • More formal

  • Shorter

• Match your own writing voice

Classroom Uses:

• Newsletter intros

• Assignment directions

• Lesson summaries

• Sub plans (yes PLEASE)

📸 Activity 4: Magic Image Tools (Crowd Favorite 🔥)

Magic Tools to Try:

• 🧽 Background Remover – one click, done

• ✂️ Magic Eraser – remove photo bombers forever

• ✋ Magic Grab – pull people/objects out of photos

• 🔄 Magic Expand – fix cropped photos for socials

Student Projects:

• Design cereal boxes

• Create sports cards

• Historical photo remix

• Career-themed branding projects

🧠 Activity 5: Whiteboards (Jamboard Replacement)

Why it’s better:

• Infinite canvas

• Sticky notes

• Drawing tools

• Real-time collaboration

Classroom Ideas:

• Brainstorms

• Exit tickets

• Group planning

• SWAT analysis

• Digital anchor charts

🎥 Activity 6: Video + Screen Recording

Create:

• Lesson videos

• Flip videos

• Announcements

• Student projects

Features:

• Record slides + camera

• Add music

• Export MP4

• No editing software needed

🌐 Activity 7: Teacher Website (in minutes)

Yes — MINUTES.

Use for:

• Class info

• Resources

• Links

• Student work

• Password-protected assignments

Steps:

1. Search “Website”

2. Pick a template

3. Edit sections

4. Publish

5. Optional: password protect 🔐

💬 Discussion / Reflection Prompts

• What Canva feature saved you the MOST time today?

• What’s one thing you’ll replace (Docs, Slides, Jamboard)?

• Which student project idea would your kids LOVE?

• What would make your next PD actually worth attending?

🏫 Grade-Level Examples

👩‍🏫 Elementary

• Visual newsletters

• Drawing on whiteboards

• Digital journals

• Student intro videos

👨‍🏫 Middle School

• Cereal box career projects

• Canva presentations

• Photo remix history assignments

• Collaborative planning boards

🎓 High School

• Portfolio websites

• Video projects

• Branding & marketing units

• AI-assisted writing drafts

🏢 Admin / Coaches

• PD decks

• Staff newsletters

• Training videos

• School websites & forms

📋 Optional Resources & Follow-Ups

• Canva for Education (free Pro access)

• Google Form custom headers

• Reusable lesson plan templates

• Canva → Google Slides workflow

• Magic Write prompt bank

🎤 Final Dr. Tarver-Style Reminder

“If you got one thing you’ll use tomorrow… that’s a win.”
Also: Title your files. Please. I’m begging you. 😄