Photography and Learning Through the Arts

Learning Through the Arts is currently a pilot project with my school. We have been grouped with 3 other schools in Calgary, and meet once a month with local artists and art specialists within the system. Learning Through the Arts provides support for projects that connect to the art and to media arts.

Thus far the experience has been extremely valuable. We have explored the possibilities of designing learning tasks in the classroom with fine arts as the fuel to ignite our inquiries. The concept is that through encounters with art, encounters with art making, and encounters with artists students will have a richer experience with world of art while making connections to the curriculum. Essentially, art becomes the embodiment of everyday learning in the classroom.

My inquiry with my grade 5/6 team in connection with the Social Studies Pillars of Democracy and Photography:

Conceptual Photography

My Favorite Spot
Students venture outside to find a ‘special’ spot on the school grounds to sketch. This was an exercise in paying closer attention to their 5 senses and specific things they notice in their spot. They were also asked to take a photo of their spot. Once in the rain, and once when the leaves were falling. There was a significant difference in the quality of the photos between the 2 sessions. In the second, the students were paying closer attention to what they were taking a picture of.

Camera 101
  • Creating an iPhoto folder
  • Taking pictures with digital camera, iPad and SLR camera
    • Turning camera on/off
    • Zooming in and out
    • Viewing your pictures on the camera
    • Turning flash on and off
    • Using macro setting
  • Uploading photos
  • Using correct cords
  • Selecting your photos
  • Uploading and transferring to your created folder
  • Transferring photos to network
  • Deleting photos from device

Visual Journaling:
While looking at examples, jot ideas about conceptual photography down in your visual journal.

Looking at several examples:


Talking About…
  • What do you observe?
  • What are your interpretations?
  • How do the photos we are showing you connect to the 4 pillars of democracy? (freedom, justice, equity, representation)
  • What is activism? How is Wei Wei using photography as activism?


Exploring line, texture, camera basics and subject matter further
My team splits up, each of us tackling an aspect to prep students for photo day. I was in charge of ensuring all students were complete camera 101 and also had some time to explore iPhoto editing options. Another teacher explored blind contour drawing, while the third teacher focused students in on specifically planning what their photo was to be about: which pillar and what they were taking a picture of. Students then had a class to take their pictures, edit and upload them.

Supporting Their Choices & Reflection
We had a large block to look at our photos. Students were put into small groups to observe each other's photo, speak to their own photo and give feedback regarding their partners' photos.

Critical Reflection and Guiding the Work
This was a key turning point. We want to students to have more opportunity to look more critically at the photos that were taken. Teachers are going to pull specific photos out that look at effective photography techniques: subject matter, angle, focus, contrast, lighting, etc. Looking critically at photos specifically chosen for discussion will hopefully steer students in the right direction with their next set of photos. 

4 Pillars Series Photo Day
Students have another chunk of time to plan their next set of photos. Their choices will be either to stick with the same Pillar of Democracy and create a series of photos, or create a series of photos which represent all of the Pillars of Democracy. 

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