I find the best way to teach kids photography (< 8th grade) is to do a
quick technical lesson (this button does this, etc.) then have them go out
and take pictures themselves.  Polaroids are best obviously, but disposible
cameras work too.  Then compare their pictures with historical photographs.
 With the older kids you can be a bit more complicated, I would suggest a
quick slide show and maybe some reading (Berger's "Ways of Seeing" etc.),
then go shooting.  Definately assign projects for the picture taking
outings.  Things that have worked in the past are, fortune cookies (take
photos related to the message inside), person place and thing...  You can
also assign a photographer to the older kids, have them research them and
then make the best "copies" of that photographers pictures possible.

Of course this can get expensive, perhaps ask a local camera shop for
equipment donations, or ask the parents for cash of the class.  Maybe
include the camera and processing in the cost of the class.

I find that kids rarely pay attention to purely printed or slide materials
without some sort of activity included like picture taking or a treasure
hunt, even up to grade 10 or so.  If anyone has any ideas about this
problem let me know.

Jason Onerheim
Minneapolis Institute of Arts



On 14 May 2002, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Greetings!
> I'm working on an educator's guide for an exhibit which will have a lot
of
> historical photos. I'm going to be including a section on interpreting
> historical photos and am researching the variety of ways this has been
> effectively taught. The guide is geared to grades 4 through high school .
> This material will be included in the pre-visit section of the guide, so
the
> activities will be teacher directed in the class and then reinforced when
> they visit the exhibit and look at the actual photos. I'd like to know
from
> my fellow listers what has worked best in learning to look at photos--
the
> kinds of questions you asked about the photos, how to excavate the most
> meaning and information from historical photos, etc.  My goal is to get
the
> kids to really look at the photos and ask themselves a series of
questions
> that will enable them to gather information about the time and place and
> context of the photograph.  If you wouldn't mind sharing any
hand-outs/work
> sheets you have developed, it would be truly appreciated. My fax number
is
> below. Thanks!
> Shari Davis
> Creative Ways
> Phone 818-992-4688
> Fax (E-fax) 801-740-5306
>

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