My students need 8 cameras to help document their lives through authentic pictures and writings; to help them grow and understand themselves and the world around them.
Do you remember using your first camera? How everything in the world was suddenly worthy of a picture? A rock on the ground, the crossing guard, the flower that was really a weed, or even a friend ... moments captured. My students need to experience looking at the world through a different lens.
I teach in an inclusive class of 2nd graders in a poor, urban setting.
Many of my students live below the poverty level and may be on a different grade level in academics. This year my students are just learning to write personal narratives. They often say, "What should I write about?" I feel that the best writing comes from personal experience and with a camera in hand, we can explore our neighborhood and take pictures of what we feel is beautiful. The pictures will give us inspiration in our writings plus enable us to have a strong sense of pride in our community.
The cameras will open the doors to discussion on other subjects for us too, for example: art (what is beauty, how to frame a picture), technology (moving files from the camera to computer and printing), science (plant growth detail, weather features) and social studies (people and places in our community). The pictures will instill a sense of pride in my students.
My Project
I am requesting 8, digital, low budget cameras with SD cards. Once we have the cameras, my class will have a photography lesson from a photographer. We will learn how to use the cameras and take care of them properly. We will learn how to frame our pictures and tell a story with them. We will travel the neighborhood looking for new things to write about that aligns with our curriculum. These cameras will be used by all the students. This is invaluable for the students who may not be able to write well, they will have the opportunity to create a story using pictures. I plan to use these cameras across the curriculum: art, technology, science, and social studies. My students will be reinforcing visually what I am teaching. This is invaluable because the retention of the material will be more powerful because it will be more personal due to the cameras and the personal connections made with the pictures taken.
Please help us with our project.
Help us show the beauty of our neighborhood through pictures and writings. My school is in a poor, urban neighborhood but beauty is all around us. Sometimes we do not see it as such. Through the lens of the camera, my students will discover the beauty that envelopes them everyday. The pictures that they take, along with their writings, will give my students pride in their environment. And who knows, maybe we will publish a book with your help. Thank you.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Gibbons and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.