Teaching Children

[o_O]

Hi, I'm looking for some ideas on how and what to teach children aged 8-12.

The classes will be 2 hours long for home schooled kids. Class size limited to 5 or 6. Ongoing weekly classes through the summer. Would really appreciate some different input.

Any ideas you may have might spark a lesson plan so please throw any suggestions out there.

 

[Designer]

Math, language, literature, art, philosophy, science (the real science, not the phony stuff) logic, etc.

There are websites devoted to home schoolers' curriculum.

 

[o_O]

Math, language, literature, art, philosophy, science (the real science, not the phony stuff) logic, etc.

There are websites devoted to home schoolers' curriculum.

Sorry I should have been clearer, this would be an extra curricular photography class with compact cameras.

Here's a few of the things I was thinking of.

• A lesson where they get to picture of everyone else in the class, we print them out and make a class book, each kid then signs a note in the other kids books. (101 people photography)
• Heading to the park armed with peanuts and trying to photograph the squirrels.(101 wildlife)
• Local zoo trip
• Local museum trip
• Again outside, identifying colors, such as all red, all green, blue and yellow etc. (identifying color balance)

 

[tirediron]

Since most municipalities have by-laws prohibiting the feeding of wildlife and/or ferral animals, I'd suggest that the peanuts be left at home. Other than that, I think you ideas are good; some basic concepts such as, "This is what happens when you have the sun in your face and at your back" might not go amiss either...

 

[o_O]

Thanks, I sure will be trying introduce the important concepts of taking pictures. Tricky part is disguising them in fun lessons, so could use some ideas.

 

[sidigirl]

Give them each a camera, take them out side an try to get them to take pictures of the same object, then compare the results.

 

[Big Mike]

Tricky trying to teach people (kids or otherwise) about photography, when all they have are compact cameras. Well, some cameras would be fine, but as they will likely each have different cameras, it would be hit and miss.

My first inclination would be that I want to teach them about the basics; aperture, shutter speed and ISO. But some of those cameras probably don't even show you those settings, let alone allow any real control over them. So teaching the kids about them, might not be all that helpful, and it might seem quite boring to them.

So, maybe just touch on those things, explain what they mean, and so the kids can know what they are when/if they do see those numbers on their cameras.
Basic operation of the camera. Also, how to use the auto focus. Maybe touch on the different 'modes' and what they do.

Then I'd probably concentrate on teaching them to think about what they are doing when they take photos. Teach them to choose a goal and maybe even pre-visualize the photo that they want to take, and then try to accomplish it.

A very easy thing to teach, is the rule of thirds. If that is the only thing that they learn, it will still probably improve their photos dramatically, if only because it causes them to think before pressing the button. A trick that I've heard about, is to take little pieces of paper (cut up some Post-it pads) and put a little square right in the middle of the LCD screen. Then tell the students that they have to take photos where the subject isn't hidden by the paper.

And of course, once they have the concept of thinking before taking the photo, give them assignments/homework.

And if you can work it, they would probably get a lot out of reviewing their images while you offer helpful C&C.

 

[vintagesnaps]

My background is in education (with specialization in infant development) but I've worked in the past in summer programs etc. w/older kids. I agree, I'd probably stick to basics of how a camera works and spend time more on helping them learn to frame shots & compose images etc. that they can all do regardless of the camera they're using. With the small class size you could probably work individually with them depending on the age on learning camera settings as needed with whatever camera they're each using.

If you take a trip to the zoo or a park etc. that should give them a great variety of choices for subjects. In my state for home schooling there is a specific curriculum to follow but I don't know if you have that. I would imagine even for a summer program you might need some guidelines on what concepts and skills to teach that you could incorporate into photography lessons (in my area schools often give assignments, books to read, etc. that families can do with their kids over the summer).

For ideas to teach composition you could search elements of composition in art - that should give you some resources for kids. You mentioned taking them to a museum - they might have resources or even programs for kids - you'd probably need to check ahead about camera usage, but they may have docents available for groups for a tour or allow you to bring kids in with cameras.

Using color as a theme for a lesson could be great, that and shape, line, and the other elements of composition. Maybe a book or poem could be used to get them thinking and develop ideas to go out and take photos related to the story. Hope you have fun with it.

 

[dangerita]

Hi, I'm looking for some ideas on how and what to teach children aged 8-12.

The classes will be 2 hours long for home schooled kids. Class size limited to 5 or 6. Ongoing weekly classes through the summer. Would really appreciate some different input.

Any ideas you may have might spark a lesson plan so please throw any suggestions out there.

Hi,
I usually begin with theory - children learn how to control their cameras, how works professional DSLR, talk a bit about composition, etc. I try to explain them basic concepts and relations such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, focal length etc. It seems like difficult theme, but children learn very quickly. I have prepared sample images, including images "good" and "wrong". We practice a lot, the individual category such as macro, portrait, sport, etc. Before each practise - field work , I usually show a few sample images to have an idea ​​what children will shooting and what they could reach. At the end of the day we browse their images together and discuss them (what we like, what not, what should by better, etc.). Discuss is very important, it is basic pilar of my course. In any case, I do not try to force the children's vision, I just present the options. In most cases they only own compact, so I give them available my equipment. At the end of the camp we organize an exhibition of successful shots (kids create their projects - photos with their illustrations, where they are telling their stories own stories).

It is really nice work, children are so diffrent than adults and I am really looking forward to next year.

If you want to see some picture, or if you want to know anything, feel free to ask

Enjoy your course,
Petra

 

[amolitor]

Homeschooling often means a more gently guided discover process, and I am not sure if this is what you're looking for here. Anyways, cameras might lend themselves to an approach closer to "unschooling" here.

Get a bunch of books of photographs, and a bunch of other sources of photographs, and let the kids look at pictures. Guide them toward whatever exercises come up. Do they want to practice posing like Justin Bieber, and take pretend pop-star paparazzi photos? Cool. Do they want to make their own ad for shampoo? Do they want to copy Walker Evans photos?

What do they see about color and light in photos? What effects do they observe from these, and how could they use those effects?

I think the camera and a pile of photographic images is a good starting point, and just follow your nose from there. If the kids are interested, they'll invent their own projects with a bit of help.