Enriched by Photography

I am very lucky to work at a school that believes in enrichment for all students.  We offer a variety of different activities, where students are able to explore new interests and learn beyond the curriculum.  Another teacher and I do a photography class; today was our fifth session. 

How rewarding to be able to share some of what I know about photography with children, then to have them really embrace the ideas.  We've talked about composition, close-up and action photos, zoom, backgrounds, and even the Rule of Thirds.  Imagine how impressed I am, then, to have a 6-year old be able to tell me - after only a few sessions - what macro and telephoto mean!   It is amazing how much they are able to understand and remember when you do things that are outside the box. 

Something else happens, too, when I teach photography to children:  I get the opportunity to see things through their eyes.  They create still lifes in ways I wouldn't have imagined, see things from angles I've never thought of, and share a joy in the learning of it that is infectious. 

It makes me wonder...  Are they the lucky ones, or am I?

Enriched by Photography

I am fortunate to teach at a school that values enrichment for all. Tomorrow, we begin a new block. It will be the first time for some of the students at Parkwood; others are looking forward to continuing the tradition.

Of course, I am teaching photography, teamed with another teacher. We will introduce the digital cameras to students from 5-12 years old. It is as fun for us as it is for them.

View my wikispace at http://www.phesphotography.wikispaces.com/ where I share some ideas for ways to teach photography to children. It is a great way to teach kids to slow down and notice the world around them in this increasingly busy world we live in. I believe this can help them to focus amid other distractions, and to learn to appreciate the little gifts of beauty around us.