Electives are an important way for students to explore interests outside of the traditional curriculum. One of the electives that I just finished up with the students was photography. This elective was open to students in 1st through 5th grade.

Each class had a different skill focus and a different element of photography. Classes focused on the importance of color, texture and pattern, and landscape. After learning about the topic and analyzing some example images, students first explore the element in the classroom. After some practice, students share their images with other students. Finally, once the class seems to have the hang of it, the class goes outside to search for pictures that are good examples of the photographic element for the day.

Students were very creative in what they used for subject matter. They were encouraged to zoom in and find the beauty in simple things, and they did very well at it.

Below, you can see some pics of students exploring the outdoors with their cameras.

Students take landscape photos.

A student takes a texture photo of the grass.

Students search for texture and pattern photos.