Margaret D. Andrews
Photographs can be used to document activities that occur in the classroom. When they are displayed they boost self esteem and a sense of pride in the school and the class. The students I have worked with love the art and science of photography.
Have students make pictures to go along with a story they have written, or vice versa ask them to write a story that tells what the pictures are about.
Have students write about themselves, ask particular questions about them, things they enjoy, favorite people etc. Photograph them and mount the photograph to a computer print out about them. Make a collage or a wall display using these images (see attached example).
Make a yearbook with each student having their own page to document their years at the school. Black and white pictures can added to these pages. Black and white photographs duplicate well on a regular photocopier. A book of all the students together can be given to each student. Autographs from classmates and teachers can be collected on these pages.
Photograph students of the month, perfect attendance, students with great citizenship, etc. Having your picture on the wall is really a great honor.
Ask students to include photographs as part of their projects, provide them with the assistance they need to complete a task using photography integrated with research materials.
Color photocopies can be made from negatives and color slides as well as prints. They are cheaper than having enlargements made and faster too. Many copy stores including Kinkos provide this service.
Take a trip to an art gallery that is having an exhibit of photographs. Look at the differences in the images. Ask the students to make art with their pictures.
Have an exhibit of photographs taken by students and invite city officials, parents and family to come have refreshments and enjoy the work.
I AM SOMEBODY
STUDENTS NAME
FUTURE SCHOOL . . . Any New Haven School
MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES ARE . . . Writing
MY FAVORITE SUBJECT IS . . . Science
I WANT TO BE A . . . Teacher
MY FAVORITE TEACHER IS . . . Ms. Andrews
MY BEST FRIENDS ARE . . . Monslo and Jean
STUDENTS PHOTOGRAPH
SHOULD BE PLACED HERE.
Any type of questions can go on this sheet. This can also be used as an assessment tool. You could ask questions about their reactions to things and ideas you have presented in the classroom.
I have my students type their answer into the computer and I print them on a laser printer so they actually look professional, I then attach a picture of them to the finished copy.
I also ask them to sign these, they love seeing their work and their pictures on the wall.