How We See Ourselves

Title of Project: How We See Ourselves: A Photojournalism Project

Schools and Teachers

North Shore Middle School Teacher: Caterina Rovito

ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology

Transitioning | Stand-Alone | RH1, RH2 | Bookcreator, WeVideo

Assessments

Formative & Summative: I used a teacher checklist and displayed it for the students to see how as they completed each task throughout the process, they would receive points towards their grade.

Required Criteria for Project

1. Interview at least one person

2. Use at least one secondary source (like a news article) to compile information about your topic.

3. Take pictures (at least 5) that highlight important parts of the story. You must use your own original pictures.

4. Write an expository essay using the information you gathered from your interview(s) and secondary research.

5. Create a digital photo essay or photo story using WeVideo, Bookcreator, or another digital presentation program. You will include your photos and read your essay in both English and your other language.

Description

As part of my project for this Title III Grant, my colleagues and I decided to create a lesson that would tap into their cultures through photojournalism. The students took time choosing a theme/photos which would best reflect their own culture they way they wanted to present it. It was exciting to have started this but unfortunately we never got to finish.

Content

I can use a photo to communicate meaning. I can explore and choose between a photo essay and a photo journal to use which helps me communicate my ideas better. I can interview a person to get more knowledge about my culture/topic.

Language

Students will be able to use a photo to describe a short narrative using sequential words. Students will be able to create interview questions by thinking about who they want to observe in their community. Students will be able to take both primary and secondary sources of information to expand their research. Students will be able to take pictures or find pictures that mean something important to them and what they believe in from their culture.

Technology

Students were able to use chrome books to type up interview questions. They were able to use bookcreator application to create their culture projects.

Student work: Currently unavailable


Procedure

Calendar: Feb-March 2020

  • Feb 24 Intro Project Guidelines & concept of photojournalism

  • Feb 25 & Feb 26 How do photos communicate meaning?

  • Feb 27 & Feb 28 How to interview and write questions

  • March 2 & March 3 Write questions/ find secondary sources

  • March 4 & March 5 Interviews due -Reflections with group

  • Read secondary source and complete note-taking sheet

  • March 6 & March 9 Pictures due -Reflections with group

  • March 10 & March 11 Writing

  • March 12 & March 13 Writing

  • March 16 &March 17 Writing (due -Reflections with group)

  • March 18 & March 19 Begin presentation

  • March 20 & March 23 Presentation (due -Reflection with group)

  • March 24 & March 25 Reflection/Edits

  • March 26 &March 27 Reflection/Edits

  • March 30 Family Night Presentations

Reflection

My students were very engaged in this project. They enjoyed being able to interview people in their community/family to be able to learn more about their culture. They weren't given enough time to finish this project in school but if they had been, it would have turned out a huge success. We were already exploring with book creator so that we could start putting interview questions, pictures of interviewees, their voices and amazing secondary photos from their community.