TITLE: A Photo Essay
AUTHOR: Rebecca Sexson, Anasazi Elem., Scottsdale, AZ
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 2-4; English, writing
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
1. Understand the purpose of a photo essay.
2. Sequence a series of events.
3. Understand the format in creating a photo essay which
includes a caption for each picture.
4. Complete a photo essay as a creative activity by using
photos, magazine pictures or drawings to illustrate a
story.
5. Read and enjoy a photo essay.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Teacher - a picture of a face with
obvious emotion, a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" white drawing paper
for each student, a visual example of a photo essay would be
helpful but not necessary. Students - a piece of poster
board that is an appropriate size for their essay; photos,
drawings, or magazine pictures; marking pens, pencil, glue.
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Ask students to name materials they "read" that contain
words and pictures. (ex. newspapers, magazines, books,
etc.)
2. Show a picture of a happy or sad person. Have the
students identify the emotion and explain that a
picture can express an emotion better than words: "A
picture is worth a thousand words."
3. Explain that a photo essay is a story told in pictures
with short statements (captions) under each picture.
4. Demonstrate by using a whole group activity. Choose a
story, or part of a story, from your literature series,
that examples following directions; i.e. making bread
or building a bird house, etc. I have used a story
from our Houghton Mifflin series called "Mrs.
Birdie's Bread." You could also use the topic, "A Day
at School."
Give each student an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of white
drawing paper. Fold the paper into four squares for
younger students or six to eight squares for older
students. Number each square in sequence. Decide
together as a class what happened first. Have each
student draw a picture and write a caption for the
first drawing. Continue this process until all squares
are completed.
This example could be completed as an individual
activity, a whole class activity, or a cooperative
learning activity.
5. Send a letter home to the parents explaining the photo
essay and assign the essay as a home project. The
pictures for the essay may be photos taken with a
camera, pictures drawn by the student, or pictures cut
from a magazine. If students have a difficult time
thinking of a topic/title for their essay, you might
want to list suggestions from a class discussion. All
photo essays should have a title and the pictures
should be mounted on poster board. The poster board
does not have to remain rectangular.
6. The assignment should be given two to three weeks to
complete because of film processing.
7. Assign the project on a Monday. Record each student's
topic on Friday, or on the following Monday at the
latest.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: Upon completion, let each student
bring their essay to class to share. Students should
present an oral summary of their essay and explain each
picture.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org