Day 1 PhotographsDay 2 PhotographsDay 3 PhotographsDay 4 PhotographsDay 5 PhotographsDay 6 Photographs |
In June of 2019, I created a Mini Photo Project that I then implemented in my 3rd grade student teaching placement.
Film photography and photography in general, have been one of my passions ever since high school. I went from point-and-shoot cameras, to DSLRs, to disposable cameras and finally to owning my current Canon AE-1 film camera. As you know, film cameras don't automatically show you the picture you took. Instead, it becomes a beautiful surprise once it's developed. I wanted to share my love for film photography with my students and reflect on that aspect of film photography and hopefully enjoy the surprise as much as I do when I shoot film. My goal was to give them more appreciation for life's little moments and to cherish life every step of the way. I wanted students to see how similar, but also how different and unique their lives can be from one another in hopes to share cultural values, increase empathy and strengthen the community of the class. Lastly, I wanted the students to explore and reflect on the question: How can we use film photography to learn and appreciate more about each other? The mini-project will then culminate in a photographic scrapbook of each student's day-to-day life in third grade, which they will take with disposable cameras that will be provided. (I was able to raise all of the money to purchase the disposable cameras, develop and print through a GoFundMe I set up). DAY 1: On the first day, I brought in 6 different types of cameras: a phone camera, 2 different metal film cameras, a disposable camera, a plastic film camera and a DSLR camera. Stations were set up, groups were made and they had their observation worksheets ready. They had time to go to each station, play with each camera, and record what they noticed about each. After, we gathered together and the students shared their observations with each other while I recorded it on poster paper. Then, I opened up the back of one of the film cameras and showed them the mechanics of how a film camera works (loading film, winding the film, and shooting. Lastly, I played them a video of how film gets developed and all of the science and work that goes into it. They loved this day and so did I! Seeing how happy and interested they were, made it all worth it. DAY 2: Tips and Tricks day! I wanted to teach them a few tips before heading off to use their own cameras. I decided on a few of the easier, but most beneficial tips for young photographers. We talked about rule of thirds, limb chop & fill the frame, lighting, and a “How to” on using their camera. After going over each rule or tip we reviewed and then went over how exactly their camera would work and revealing what the project is! We discussed how each time you want to take a photograph you have to wind it and then click. It's not like a phone, you can't just keep snapping AND you only have a select number of photographs you can take. We really emphasized that because it was a big change for most of the students. We then talked about the norms for our cameras and when taking photographs (since much of this is done at school) as well as the checklist of photographs that they needed to take. They also took their cameras home! DAY 3: As soon as I arrived at school that morning I saw so many students with their checklists and cameras snapping away! Listening to them posing in rule of thirds and helping others get "the perfect shot" was a sight to see! All day the students were using their new skills to photograph their day. DAY 4: Turn in your camera day! I gave the students and parents notice that on day 4 I would collect their cameras and after school, take them to get developed. I luckily use the best camera store in San Diego (they are THE BEST) and they were so excited to get to see the students film. While their film would be developed, the store also printed every photograph that each student took (that's 27 cameras x 27 photographs on each!!). DAY 5: This was the day to prepare our scrapbooks for our photographs. Each student got enough construction paper and yarn to create their book. They also got to decorate as much as they wanted and make it their own. DAY 6: The Final Day. Nelson's Photo in San Diego, was able to get me all of their photographs and film Monday morning. After I picked them up I told the students that all of their film had been developed and I was so excited to see them all. I opened with reminding them that no matter what their pictures looked like, and no matter how many may not have turned out how they wanted, they did amazing work and I was more than proud of them. They spent the afternoon looking through their pictures, each other's pictures and laughing and smiling while gluing them into their books. They were asked to choose a certain number of photographs, create a few captions for their photographs, and choose their favorite 3 to share with the class. After everyone had enough time to glue their photographs in, we sat together in a circle so that we could all see each other. I asked the students to share their favorite 3 photographs and why. Some of the students shared their pets because they love them, their family members because they were doing something funny and one student even said, "This is a picture of my friend because he makes me smile every day." After each student had shared and was given a round of applause for their work, I asked them a few questions. I gave them time to think about "What similarities, differences or new things did you find out about your classmates?". They answered with "I never knew that Kyle had a Komodo Dragon and I do too!" or "Haley and I both have the same stuffed unicorn" or "A lot of people chose to take pictures of their friends and family". I then asked them "What does that mean to you? Did you think that would happen?" One student shared that "we don't all do the same thing all the time". I added "Of course! So what if we were all the same?" and of course the students answered with "Well that's boring!". To which I smiled and added that that's what makes each of our lives so beautiful, unique and why it's so important to learn about each other outside of school. Just because we spent each day with each other doesn't mean we know everything about each other. It's our job as people to get to know one another and cherish what makes us different. All of our differences can bring us closer together if we let them. The last remark one of my students said summed up the entire project, "We may live different lives and do different things, but that's what makes us all so special. Life would be boring if we were all the same." (tears) Implementing this project was one of my proudest moments and showed me that sharing my passions and being passionate in my teaching, will get my students equally as excited about their learning. I hope to do this project for many years to come and continue to grow it and make it stronger. Mini Project Plan LINK |