Week 8

The articles I read about cameras in the classroom really opened up a whole new world to me! I think it's great! I loved all the ideas about what you could have students do with them. Some of my favorites for students were to define vocabulary, spelling words, or parts of speech; illustrate a story; and make a photo collection of books they've read. Also there was a list creative ways for specific teacher use. I've always been a proponent of class websites. I love it when my kids' teachers have one and use it regularly. I love how it is an easy tool to keep families involved and informed about classroom happenings. But also, displaying pictures on the website would be a great way to show parents all the wonderful things their child is doing in the classroom, kind of a personal lens into a part of their children's life that they don't get to see very often. I also loved the idea of using photos to "catch" children doing good and displaying them as an example to others, as well as letting the parents know. I think it would be a great idea to take a photo of each student the first day of school and use those photos to assist in taking attendance as you get to know neames and use them throughout the year in projects that require graphing and voting.

I appreciated the articles that suggested ideas and tips in taking better pictures. I've heard of the rules of thirds but had never seen it illustrated and now it makes much more sense. I think I might be a bit more adventurous with the camera and play around more with lighting and angles. Children love to see themsleves in pictures and the suggestion to get up close and personal made me giggle as I thought of my own daughter once when she wanted me to take her picture. She kept telling to come closer so I could "really" see her.