As the new school year bursts forth on the horizon, the desire to capture each and every moment of learning and fun begins. With lessons to teach and a classroom to manage, capturing those moments can be difficult. The fun, student-centered ideas below can help make it easier!
Capture This School Year in Pictures
Daily Class Photographer
This idea comes from professional photojournalist, Kevin Seifert, who suggests designating one student each day to take pictures of what is going on in class. Make it a separate classroom job for either the day or the week. The assigned student is then responsible for snapping candid and random photos throughout the day. If you are concerned about the student taking too many pictures, set a photo limit of 25 per day. At the end of the school year, you will be able to create a slide show for your classroom blog or for the end of the year party with the student-captured memories. It is a great way to remember what happened during the year, as well as, a way to teach students about journalism and photography.
Use Those Classroom Volunteers
How many times do parents ask to come in and volunteer in the class? While you may want to say yes, it is sometimes challenging to find things for them to do. This year, when parents or members of the community volunteer, ask them to record the class in pictures or video. A video recording of students performing a Readers’ Theater play or working collaboratively on a project is a great way to showcase the lessons throughout the year. Still photos can also be taken using an inexpensive digital camera that you keep in the classroom. Much like the Daily Class Photographer idea, the pictures taken by the volunteers will be a fun way to remember the year’s events at the end of the school year.
In the News
For older grades, creating a monthly class newspaper is a clever way to capture the events happening in the classroom, while also focusing on writing and reading skills. Set up a “Newsroom” center in one area of the classroom. Students can rotate through the center during the month and work collaboratively with one another to report on events that have happened or will be happening during the month. Brainstorm ideas as a whole class beforehand and then assign students to work on specific areas of the paper. It can be typed up on the computer and printed or emailed out to families, as well. At the end of the year, compile the Newspapers from the year and create a simple book for each child that not only shows their work, but also reminds them of the learning and fun that took place during the year.
How do you capture the everyday special moments in your classroom? Share your ideas with us below!