While creating photojournalists in writing workshop seems to make sense on the surface, it is important to recognize that this idea and new role can be used elsewhere in the classroom. While building classroom communities and getting to know each other in the beginning of the school year, students can use photography and storytelling to introduce themselves to each other.
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Starting off with the students being photographers in the classroom will help them to become more comfortable with being photojournalists. Teaching basic photography skills can be the pre-lessons to more in-depth conversations and lessons when it comes to writing workshop. Since the students will feel comfortable using the camera through these mini lessons in the beginning of the year, they will dive right into the learning and idea of photojournalism.
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Students need to be able to understand the difference between photography and journalism. Though my classroom is not a photography studio, the students are going to be able to understand the ideas and concepts of photography. They need to understand these things so that they can know why their pictures are so important.
