Picture-Perfect Classroom

A Picture-Perfect Classroom

C. B. Greer Elementary School

Brunswick, Georgia

As an elementary school teacher and former Cub Scout leader, I was always taking my students outside for pictures. After attending Gail Lovely’s session on Digital Photography at the GaETC Conference, the inside of my classroom has been transformed to a photo gallery, as well.

Gail gave numerous tips for purchasing a camera for students to use. One that was especially memorable was look for the camera with the “least number of pieces sticking out.” This will give you a camera that is easy for students to learn to use. Also, consider the batteries. You want a rechargeable battery port or batteries that can be “plugged into the wall.” After selecting a camera, have students make a student friendly manual explaining the operations of the camera.

After suggestions for deciding on a camera, Gail recommended numerous ways to integrate the camera with writing. She suggested having students take a picture and then describe the method that they used to take the picture. Another student will read their method and take a picture based on what they have read. Afterwards, the two students will compare their pictures and make revisions to the written method. Capture pictures showing “change over time” such as a plant growing, and have students write descriptive essays about the change. Also, the “rocking chair’ stories are fun! Take pictures of students at the beginning of the year of students sitting in a rocking chair, and then take another picture at the end of the year with the same chair. Students may want to come back for a visit at the beginning of the next year for another picture. Students can also practice sequencing with action shots.

Students can also use the digital camera in mathematics. By including a ruler in the plant “change over time” pictures, students can graph the growth of the plant. Patterns can be captured and recreated. My students loved to build geometric solids with “polydrones.” They were always asking if their creation could be stored on a high shelf so that no one could take it apart. Then we began to not have enough polydrones for new creations. Now, another student simply takes a picture of the creation with the creator. Afterwards, the picture is hung near the polydrones and other students try to make something even bigger and better.

In order to improve observation skills for science, students take turns taking pictures of something close up outside. Then, we have scavenger hunt to see who can find the pictured object. You can also take pictures of students and cut out the eyes. By playing, “Whose eyes are these” students become more aware of details. Pictures are also an excellent way to keep examples of science fair projects without the bulk of the science fair boards.

The digital camera has other uses as well. For example, when going on a field trip with an entire grade level, make wrist bands with picture of the students and other important information. Each student will enjoy wearing their wristband with their picture and their emergency information is readily available.

My favorite time-saving tip from the digital camera workshop is using pictures to portray an orderly classroom. When I ask students to put away things, I have pictures posted showing where everything goes. I simply say, “Make the room look like the pictures.” Even the fraction towers are put together properly and put back into their tubs because a picture of how the pieces are supposed to be arranged is on the lid of the tub.

I still enjoy taking pictures of my students on field trips and I follow Gail’s advice of saving a copy and never, ever, touching it. But, now I use my digital camera and photographs daily and my students use it with ease.

(Based on Session 193, GaETC Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, November 14-16, 2007 - Title: More Than “Say Cheese”: Using Digital Cameras in the Elementary Classroom - Presenter: Gail Lovely, Gail Lovely Consulting, Featured Speaker)

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