MATERIALS
4-6 compelling images or graphs showing different (and even conflicting views) on a single topic or theme
AGE GROUP
Upper Elementary/Middle School/High School
WHAT IT IS AND WHY USE IT?
Pass the Picture is a strategy that helps students engage in close observations of visual texts to form conclusions and reconcile multiple viewpoints. By citing visual evidence and drawing conclusions by examining conflicting information students learn about point of view. Pass the picture is a great strategy to promote empathy, critical thinking, and questioning because it examines a single issue or concept from multiple vantage points asking students to think through an issue from many different angles. This strategy sparks rich dialogue and adds complexity for students who may try to arrive at a single right answer quickly.
DIRECTIONS
Get into groups of 4-6 and identify one person sitting next to us to partner up with. Each pair should select 1 image they want to start with. They will share a single image and have 1-2 minutes to discuss their observations using a format we call DAR-Describe, Analyze, Relate. When I say “Pass the Picture” you will pass your image to the pair to your right. Once every pair has examined each image individually the whole group will look at the collection of images and discuss how they relate to one another.
REFLECTION
What unites all of these images? Are there issues or themes they are exploring?
What is each artist’s perspective? How do you know?
What stories are being told? Which other perspectives are being left out?
What other information would you like to know?
POSSIBLE SIDE COACHING
If students make assumptions about images ask them to cite the visual supporting evidence.
ADAPTATIONS/APPLICATIONS
Social Studies: Examine how different stakeholders viewed historical events differently
Literacy: Preview images from a text, or assemble images that ask students to find themes
Math: Look at charts and graphs that may be misleading to think through how we might critically look at information we are given
SOURCE CITATIONS
Creative Learning Institute