Activity

  1. Use the whiteboard to show Class Pictures by Dawoud Bey.
  2. Ask the class to describe the portraits and what they reveal about each sitter, E.g. How old they are? What they are wearing? What does their body language tell us about how they are feeling? What emotions does their expression suggest? How might the messages in the portrait be different if the individuals were in one group portrait?
  3. Ask each pupil to think of 1 or 2 objects that they would like to be photographed with. For example, a favourite book or piece of clothing. Give pupils time to discuss their choices with a partner.
  4. Encourage pupils to think about how they will sit or stand in relation to their chosen objects. How will the photograph express their individuality?
  5. If you have enough cameras available pupils could take on the role of photographer in their groups, taking turns to take photographs of each other in class.
  6. Decide as a class how you want to display the portraits in your classroom checking that everyone is happy to have their photograph on the wall.
    Alternatively, you could take a class photograph with pupils deciding how to stand or sit in the photograph as a whole class. Encourage them to think about how the photograph will reflect their personality individually as well as collectively as a class.

Reflection

  • Why does it matter how you look, stand and dress in a portrait?
  • Why is a portrait of you on your own different from one of you in a group?
  • Why is it important to express yourself?

Go Further

Ask pupils to write a letter to the headteacher describing what’s important about their class, e.g. who’s in it, what they’re good at as a class, their class values, what they like about their school, where they live and hopes for the future.

Persistent: Daring to be different

This activity will encourage pupils to express their personality in front of others in the class. They will discuss with their classmates their choice of objects and experiment with how they will stand or sit to express themselves in their individual photographs.

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A New Direction
Teaching for Creativity

Class Pictures

Activity

  1. Use the whiteboard to show Class Pictures by Dawoud Bey.
  2. Ask the class to describe the portraits and what they reveal about each sitter, E.g. How old they are? What they are wearing? What does their body language tell us about how they are feeling? What emotions does their expression suggest? How might the messages in the portrait be different if the individuals were in one group portrait?
  3. Ask each pupil to think of 1 or 2 objects that they would like to be photographed with. For example, a favourite book or piece of clothing. Give pupils time to discuss their choices with a partner.
  4. Encourage pupils to think about how they will sit or stand in relation to their chosen objects. How will the photograph express their individuality?
  5. If you have enough cameras available pupils could take on the role of photographer in their groups, taking turns to take photographs of each other in class.
  6. Decide as a class how you want to display the portraits in your classroom checking that everyone is happy to have their photograph on the wall.
    Alternatively, you could take a class photograph with pupils deciding how to stand or sit in the photograph as a whole class. Encourage them to think about how the photograph will reflect their personality individually as well as collectively as a class.

Reflection

  • Why does it matter how you look, stand and dress in a portrait?
  • Why is a portrait of you on your own different from one of you in a group?
  • Why is it important to express yourself?

Go Further

Ask pupils to write a letter to the headteacher describing what’s important about their class, e.g. who’s in it, what they’re good at as a class, their class values, what they like about their school, where they live and hopes for the future.

Persistent: Daring to be different

This activity will encourage pupils to express their personality in front of others in the class. They will discuss with their classmates their choice of objects and experiment with how they will stand or sit to express themselves in their individual photographs.

Key Stage 2, Key Stage 2 - Upper
http://anewdirection.org.uk/teaching-for-creativity-taster-cards