Help! Teaching photography to children!

[photopam]

I need lots of help!
I am teaching a 5 week class to 4th and 5th graders who want to learn about photography. They will be using point and shoot cameras, and I have no idea how to teach this. The class will be 1 hour long, and part of class we will be reviewing images they had taken for homework. I started tonight and want to keep it fun.

I want to talk about the rule of thirds, lighting and composition, but need to make it fun and down on their level, meaning not talking about apertures and such. I mentioned it and about half of them glossed over.

They are interested in photographing landscapes, sunsets and city lights at night. I know how to do all these things with my DSLR, but how do I teach a simple lesson that they will have fun with? We meet in the evening, so we won't be able to go do it in class.

Thanks for any ideas!

[arkie2916]

I'm a teacher...never taught photography though! I would suggest having them each post what they think is their best photo and let everyone share one thing they like about the picture and one thing they would do to improve the picture. It's a great way for everyone to learn how to evaluate their own pictures as well as their classmates. I would possibly give them a theme, a time limit, and then let everyone come together for the evaluation session. Also, scavenger hunts are a blast! Just a few suggestions!

[photopam]

Thanks Beverly! I like the scavenger hunt idea.

I am going to be talking about their images each week, what works and what doesn't. I like the idea of them commenting as well.

I am stuck on how to present the material to them. How to teach composition, lighting and focal points? I know how to do it, but how do I teach it in a given hour of time?

[texxter]

You can bring an important image to class every week to teach "photo appreciation" in addition to how-to. You can use this "image of the day" to show the many roles of photography in society, e.g. fine art, advertising, portraiture, documentary... This may be a good way to make them aware of the important role of photography today.

Also, I believe that one important learning from an early class like this is to not be afraid to experiment and have fun with the camera. I personally would put a lot less emphasis on the rule of thirds and a lot more on "telling stories" and "capturing moments" - children are incredibly creative when unconstrained by rules, and I think the class would be more memorable if the focus is more on the creativity rather on traditional principles of aesthetics. Those are important, but perhaps after they get the "bug."

Interesting homeworks that tickle their natural curiosity and a good discussion about what makes the photo interesting and unique will reinforce my point above.

Lastly, it would be interesting to find a couple of old cameras, perhaps borrowed from friends or TPFers to give him a very quick but fun view of the history of photography, from plates to film to digital. This may be a stretch.

One good question at the beginning of the class is "what is the objective of the class" - it could be to learn tips to take better photos, or perhaps to gain an appreciation of photography as a creative tool, or a simple understanding of the long history of photography. Or just to have fun with the camera! Or all of the above!

[arkie2916]

Well maybe a powerpoint with pictures showing the right way and pictures showing the wrong way might work. I personally would shy away from too much vocabulary and let them "see" what you are talking about. Students that age want to do and see. Also most of them need basics like holding the camera steady, keeping the horizon level, and not shooting into the sun. I run an elementary lab and always try to remember this:

I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
-Chinese proverb

[texkam]

I have no idea how to teach this

Not to bash, but just curious, why did you agree to do something you didn't know how to do?

[photopam]

I know photography, and I am not a teacher. They kept asking and I made sure that they knew that I have no idea how to teach, but they kept asking. So, I figured I'd figure it out.
Now I am asking for help and idea.
Thank you for them by the way! I am wanting to do the best I can. One girl wants to be a photographer when she grows up! I do want to inspire them and give them a few rules and tips to go by.

[arkie2916]

I think it's great you are doing this...........wish my school had more people like you in our corner! Good luck and let us know how it is going!

[naranjita]

That's so awesome! Yes, let us all know how it goes!

[photopam]

Thanks everyone!
Luckily this is only Wednesday nights for about an hour, for 5 weeks. The last week there will be a show for the parents of all the different classes offered. This is through my church.

It is so much easier to do photography than to explain it... :P

[texkam]

I made sure that they knew that I have no idea how to teach, but they kept asking. So, I figured I'd figure it out.

This has gotten under my skin a bit because I teach part time. BTW this vent is not directed to you.

So who's they? The school system? The Parks and Rec dept.? OK, so you tell them you have no idea how to teach but they keep asking instead of searching for someone who can? Shame on them. Could they not have asked "then can you recommend anyone to us"? Perhaps there was someone who could have done a magnificent job. So, who loses here? The kids. Yes, I know they're just 4/5th graders etc, etc, but I wish education was taken more seriously. I applaud you for trying your best. You were put on the spot and I wish you all the luck in the world. I think you'll do OK. I'm just upset they didn't value education enough to listen to you. Once again, good luck to you and the kids.

Just read your last post about "they" being your church. Changes things a bit, but wow, I still think they put you on the spot.

[Sweet Caroline]

Churches usually like to get their own members involved. I'm guessing that's a big reason they didn't seek out a photography teacher. Most churches also rely on volunteers to teach the children's Sunday school classes. It's a great opportunity to be a part of the community and to grow as a person. I see it as a tremendously different situation than a school asking a non teacher to teach a topic. Also, it looks like we're talking about a total of 5 hours of instruction. My kids have had many fun experiences like this that have allowed them to explore an interest before committing to studying it in depth. 4th and 5th grade is the perfect time for that kind of exploration.

Caroline

[texkam]

Churches usually like to get their own members involved. I'm guessing that's a big reason they didn't seek out a photography teacher. Most churches also rely on volunteers to teach the children's Sunday school classes. It's a great opportunity to be a part of the community and to grow as a person. I see it as a tremendously different situation than a school asking a non teacher to teach a topic. Also, it looks like we're talking about a total of 5 hours of instruction. My kids have had many fun experiences like this that have allowed them to explore an interest before committing to studying it in depth. 4th and 5th grade is the perfect time for that kind of exploration.

Yep. My bad.

[John Godwin]

Like you said...Keep it basic.

The one suggestion I have is to teach the new photographers how to hold a camera to help alleviate camera shake. Holding a camera out in front of you with both elbows in the air is conducive to motion blur caused by the shooter and not the subject. If in a standing position and no other support is available then the left elbow needs to be against your body. After that use some type support whenever possible.

[ns134]

I like Paco's idea about Photo Appreciation. I think it would be great if you had the kids express what they like best or what catches their eye about the photograph. And then have them implement these ideas in pictures they take.