Photography and Writing

Grade Levels: 3 - 5

Overview
Students use an online resource to learn how photographs shape and trigger our memories of family experiences and events.

Objective
To practice using details in writing.

Steps
1.	Tell students they are going to use the World Wide Web to explore how photographs of other families might remind them of their own families and even help refresh memories of family celebrations and experiences. Recall with them the different kinds of experiences family members shared in the stories they have been reading.
2.	Then go online to the Collected Visions website for a brief introduction. Click on "enter" and then on "CV gallery." Read and discuss the quote about the impact of photographs.
3.	Then click on "next" to see the current exhibition of photos and essays. Click on any of these photographs to read the essay inspired by that photo. Discuss the essays that you read. Ask students if any of the photos remind them of their own families and events; encourage them to share their stories.
4.	Then click on Create your own photo essay. Read the information together and explain that students will be searching for photographs that remind them of their own families. Scroll down and click on "next" for instructions on searching the archives. Note the advice for filling out each section.
5.	Check any of the boxes you wish in the following sections: Who is in the photograph? What categories of photographs do you want to see? Do you want to limit your search by the time period of the photograph? After making your choices, scroll down and click on "search."
6.	Small images of all the photos that meet your criteria will appear. Click on any photo that interests the class to see it in an enlarged version. When you find a photo that triggers a family memory, click on the small box to the right of the photo. Then scroll down to the end of the photo choices and click on "create essay."
7.	Let a student title the essay and write the text. Follow the directions to select the size of the image and the color of the background and text. Then click on "preview text" to read it for accuracy. Follow the directions for editing the essay. When the student is satisfied, scroll down and click on "submit."
8.	As time permits, work with small groups of students so that all students have an opportunity to select a photo and submit an essay.

Extension

Send students to the The American Museum of Photography web site to learn about the history of photography. For extra credit, assign students to take pictures of their friends, family, places or things and compile a scrap book mixing photographs and narration of great memories.