Photo Essay Planning

Today, I distributed a planning page (available at the side if you lost yours, or were absent), to allow students to begin thinking about the photo essay they would like to create.  It is now time to decide whether you will create a narrative or thematic photo essay, and whether you present it on paper or using a computer program.  I have provided a storyboard outline for you, so you can begin to jot down some ideas.

I also shared an example of a narrative photo essay, called "The Barskys Go to Disneyland."  My intent was to share how to write a commentary to accompany your photo essay.  It's important to address the story/theme, as well as point out the visual features of each photo.

We have the computer lab booked for the next two classes, so you can begin to put your photo essay together.

Where Children Sleep

Following up on last day's lesson about "reading photographs," we spent today perusing an online photo essay called, "Where Children Sleep."  We analyzed one photograph as a class, noting such details as lighting, colour, and objects.  We considered the implied message of the photograph, as well as whose voice was represented (or not).

Then, students were asked to select one of the photographs to analyze.  There is a set of questions to guide you in your analysis.  If you were away, there is a link to the handout at the side, as well as the website address where you can find the essay.

Please have these questions answered for Tuesday's class.

Dragons' Den - Round One

The first set of presenters went before the class today, to present their plans for the DOOH screens in the school.  We managed to make it through many presentations, but not all of them.

The remainder of the presentations will occur on Wednesday.  Please remember to have your presentation on a USB, so that we can get through all the presentations before the end of Wednesday's class.

Prep for Pitching your Plan!

Today was a preparation block, for students to get ready to pitch their plan for the DOOH screens in the school.

Be ready to pitch on Thursday!

Preparing for the Dragons' Den!

After a quick word game as a warm up, students were given the guidelines for the pitch of their DOOH screen plan.  The following must be included in the plan:

• rationale (why use the screens?)
• description of content (categorize, then provide specifics for each category)
• minimum of three screen captures (on paper, or using a computer program)
• your stance with respect to advertising (included, or not?  why or why not?)
• belief statement about the impact these screens would have on the school environment/population

We have access to the computer lab on Tuesday, and then you pitch (to the Dragons' Den!) on Thursday.  We will choose our winner on Thursday.

If you need a reminder about the impact of advertising in schools, and/or developing a plan for the DOOH screens, access the appropriate handout from the sidebar.

DOOH Screens in our School

We began class by talking about where we saw DOOH screens in the community, since last class, and what the content of the screens was.  I shared information about the screen positioned on the side of a highway on my route home, and students talked about screens they had seen in skytrain stations and Tim Horton's.  We focused in on how environment influences screen content.

Then, students went around the school, noting the locations of the DOOH screens in our school.  We gathered back together and discussed the location of the nine screens.  We concluded that they are placed in high traffic areas, or in places where large groups congregate.

Then, students began planning their DOOH screen pitches.  We will continue development of these on Friday.

DOOH Power

We spent today's class talking about DOOH (digital out-of-home) screens, and their influence on society.  It was an ironic lesson for today, as I'd started class by asking students how to best get information out to the student body.  PA announcements and student bulletins do not appear to be working.  Many of you suggested using the TVs in the hallways... DOOH screens!

We discussed all the places we see DOOH screens, and what their purpose(s) appears to be.  We discussed ownership of the environments they appear in, and what the motivation of these owners might be.  Finally, we began to consider the influence DOOH screens might have on our lives.

For homework, students have been asked to track the number of times (and locations) they see DOOH screens in a day.  Take a picture or make a sketch of the screen content, and bring this with you to next class.  If you missed class, there are links to the handouts from today, at the side.

Bowling for Columbine Paragraph

Today was a writing block: students completed the Bowling for Columbine expository paragraph in class.

If you were absent today, please see me so we can schedule a date for you to write the paragraph.  You need to write it here, with me!

We concluded Bowling for Columbine today, and students were given the remainder of class to prepare a set of notes which can be used in class on Thursday while writing the expository paragraph.  Please be ready to write in class, on Thursday.