Photography Lesson Plan

Introduction to Photography

10 Min

Begin the lesson by asking students a provocative question: 'What makes a photograph powerful?' This will capture their interest and activate prior knowledge. Briefly introduce the concept of photography, highlighting its importance in capturing moments, telling stories, and expressing creativity. Use a summary excerpt of a famous photographer's work and explain how their photos have impacted society. Discuss the objective of the lesson: to understand the basic principles of photography and learn how to use a camera effectively.

Note

Engage students by encouraging them to share their thoughts on the question and relate it to their own experiences with photography.

Camera Basics and Techniques

15 Min

Present new material on the basics of camera operation. Explain key terms such as exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Use a worksheet to detail these terms and their functions. Show a video demonstrating how to adjust these settings on a camera. Follow up with a context excerpt from a photography manual that explains different shooting modes (e.g., portrait, landscape, action). Use a think-pair-share activity where students discuss in pairs how they would use different camera settings for various scenarios. Then, have a few pairs share their discussions with the class.

Note

Ensure that the explanations are clear and concise, and provide real-life examples to make the concepts more relatable.

Hands-on Practice

20 Min

Divide students into small groups and distribute task cards with different photography challenges (e.g., capture motion, play with light and shadows, create a portrait). Each group will rotate through different stations, spending 5 minutes at each station to practice the techniques discussed. Use a worksheet for students to record their settings and reflections on each challenge. Incorporate a peer review workshop where students give feedback on each other's photos. Encourage creativity and adaptability by allowing students to experiment with different techniques.

Note
Monitor the groups and provide guidance as needed. Encourage students to think critically about their choices and the effects of different settings.

Review and Critique

10 Min

Conduct a gallery walk where students display their best photos from the hands-on practice. Use a rule table to guide students on how to provide constructive feedback. Each student will present their photo and explain the techniques they used. Encourage classmates to ask questions and offer positive feedback. Use a quick write activity where students reflect on what they learned, what they found challenging, and how they can improve. This promotes self-awareness and a growth mindset.

Note

Foster a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their work and receiving feedback. Highlight the importance of constructive criticism in the learning process.

Review and Closure

10 Min

Summarize the key points of the lesson, reinforcing the basic principles of photography and camera techniques. Use a Jeopardy game to review the terms and concepts learned. Ask thought-provoking questions such as 'How can photography be used to tell a story?' to encourage deeper thinking. Provide a worksheet with additional practice exercises for students to complete at home. End the lesson with a reflection activity where students write down one thing they learned, one thing they found interesting, and one question they still have.

Note

Ensure that the review is interactive and engaging, and provide clear instructions for the homework assignment.