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Take a Picture, It will last longer!


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Keywords: Photography, Computers
Subject(s): Earth Science, History, Writing, Life Science, Journalism, Science, Grammar, Geography, Technology, Spelling, Social Studies, Civics, Photography, Information Skills, Reading, English/Language Arts
Grades 3 through 5
NETS-S Standard:
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Research and Information Fluency
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
  • Digital Citizenship
  • Technology Operations and Concepts
View Full Text of Standards
School: Dames Ferry Elementary School, Gray, GA
Planned By: Tracy Bagwell
Original Author: Tracy Bagwell, Gray
Students and Adviser meet twice a week after school. The first day of the week will be the lesson, and the second day will be application of the lesson.
Assume students have not used a camera previously or accessed technology to create ideas and share their works.
The first lesson will be the basics of properly handling a camera, finding and operating the manual settings, and discussing how students think cameras can help them with learning. This activity should be hands on and will allow students to practice taking pictures.
The next lesson will be the showing of students' their pictures on the computer. The Adviser will lead students to discuss what can be done to improve on the picture, or to capture the meaning they want to convey. Thus begins the lesson for the next week on exposure, lighting, angles, framing, and balancing the foreground and background of their subject.
Each week students should practice 2 or 3 different ways to improve technique, with a student critique for each session. Students should be able to express creativity and have fun gaining knowledge about photography. Taking pictures will help them see things through a different perspective.
If a local newspaper will allow you to, submit some photos for the newspaper. Local high school athletics offer many chances for students to take a field trip or be exposed to the sports in the community.
Photos of life science for each grade level may be put together a mini-film to be used in conjunction with teachers' lessons. For example, if a 3rd grade teacher is teaching about the different types of soil, students can take pictures of these types, put them in a program, and send it to the teacher to help with her lesson.
Student photography ideas are endless and could easily fill an entire school year with activities.

Comments
A Camera Club has many opportunities for students. Not only can basic photography be done in elementary school, but early interest could encourage students to continue through high school and into college/profession.
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
Technology and especially digital technology is evolving rapidly. Students could take field trips and explore history through their photography. Socialization through photography. Students would improve cognitive development and problem solving skills. Students could also develop a strong sense of the community in which they live through photo history lessons.
Follow-Up
If the local newspapers allow - share photos with them.
-field trips to historical places, cultural places, community events, and sporting events
-online yearbook
Materials: Flash/USB Drives, Memory Cards, Batteries, Tripods, Elementary, Sports, Digital SLR, Yearbook, Point and Shoot, Wildlife, Digital Cameras, Literacy, Social Studies
Other Items: 1 Dynex™ - 6' High-Speed Micro HDMI Cable, $31.99 each, total of $31.99
7 HP d3000 Digital Camera, $149.99 each, total of $1049.93
7 Polaroid 8" Heavy Duty Mini Tripod With Pan Head With Tilt For Digital Cameras & Camcorders, $7.99 each, total of $55.93
3 SanDisk - Cruzer 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive, $9.99 each, total of $29.97