Through My Eyes: Integrating Photography Across the Curriculum
Shayna Cribbs, Brooke Newman, Sandra Kim, Diana Glover, Hien Malesky
In third grade at Explorer, we undertake a year-long study of photography, integrating science, literacy, writing, social studies, and art. The study culminates in an exhibit for parents, other students and community members. Through My Eyes began and continues to flourish with the support and guidance of Outside the Lens (www.outsidethelens.org), a local community arts non-profit. Here are examples of some of the student’s projects:
Color Book
One of our projects was a color book. The kids were earning about elements of design in photography, including color, pattern, vantage point, light, framing, etc. Each child chose a color, and then we took a neighborhood walk, in which they took photos of that color. They also looked for the other elements of design that we had studied.
For the writing part of the book, the children brainstormed images related to the five sense that were suggested by their color, i.e. PINK: lemonade on a hot day. Part of the idea was to encourage them to come up with vivid details. These brainstorms then became the material for poems or prose about their color, which went into an accordion book of photos and writing.
Legends/Photojournalism
After studying legends from many cultures, students create their own legend about
an animal from the San Diego Zoo, using
the techniques of photojournalism: lead photo, environmental shot, interaction shot, close up, long shot and direct view as a photojournalist does. Students are also responsible for gathering information
about the origin/habitat of plants and animals to aid them in writing their legend.
Picture My Planet
This project educates children about environmental issues while instilling an appreciation and passion for nature and the earth. Students study famous nature photographers; explore nature in San Diego; and capture it on film. Last year our students also studied nature haiku poems and wrote haikus inspired by their nature photographs.
Pieces of Me
Students explore the idea of identity through writing and photographing the “best part” of themselves. They learn to act as an art director, designing and setting up a self-portrait, which is taken by another student.
Picture Me, Picture You
This year-long cultural exchange promotes global understanding through photography and writing. Students from Explorer Elementary first learn about Africa, then share letters, poetry, and photography with children from the Tunahaki Foundation orphanage in Tanzania
Here I Am
Students examine their beliefs, customs, and the familiar practice of their families. Through the use of poetry and photography, students combine family memories to create a story about their lives.
The impact of this year-long study is best described in the words of our 2008 third graders:
“This exhibit shows you what we love about ourselves. We are all unique and have different thoughts. In this exhibit, you will see photographs and writings. We want you to see that writing isn’t just a story, it is life. This project took a lot of hard work, and all photographs were taken by each of us. We learned to experiment, to try different vantage points. A picture is special, no matter how it turns out… Each picture, even if it’s not a picture of you, it still tells about you.”
