Young Photographers
Learning Through Photography
The Primary 3 students have been given a task – they need to apply photography skills to capture plants with different edges at the Botanic Gardens. What did they use? A camera and knowledge on plants gleaned from their Science lessons.
In Young Photographers, this is how students leverage on the power of photography to achieve the 3Cs – Create, Communicate and Collaborate.
To capture photographs that tell a story or a concept, students first need to acquire photography skills and composition techniques such as rule of thirds, leading lines, framing and symmetry. All students attend Young Photographers, which equip them with valuable skills to create and communicate stories through their lenses. Primary 2 and Primary 3 students build their proficiency through the use of compact cameras. Primary 4 to Primary 6 students extend their skills through DSLR cameras.
Practice is Key
Students are given the opportunity to apply and practise photography skills through outdoor shoots at Telok Blangah Heights, Botanic Gardens, Fort Canning Park, Marina Barrage and East Coast Park. They capture images based on the theme for each level. While doing so, students’ confidence in handling the cameras grows.
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
After the outdoor shoots, students share compelling stories and perspectives through their own photographs. There are many enriching learning opportunities. Primary 2 students practise using rich vocabulary to describe their photographs and share their thoughts. To extend their knowledge on plants, Primary 3 students create a comparison chart to explain the differences in the plants’ edges. Primary 4 students hone their English Language skills by writing poems on their photographs. Primary 5 students create a Science poster based on their photographs. Based on their photographs, Primary 6 students write poems or quotes as an appreciation of their friendship to one another. Thus, photography is integrated into the curriculum in a multi-disciplinary way. Imagine creating word problems based on photographs, and getting their peers to apply Mathematical skills to solve it!
Hands-on in school
Students are also given the opportunity to hone their photography skills through props and locations in the school.
Some of our students' works from the hands-on activities in school
Thinking Beyond What We See
Using the Thinking Routine See-Think-Wonder, students analyse photographs so as to generate possibilities, deepen their thinking and raise questions. Jayden, a P3 student, says, Students expressed that “We have learnt to be more imaginative, explore different ideas and ask questions through See-Think-Wonder. We were then able to view things from different angles and apply our photography skills at the outdoor shoots.”
Deepening Our Passion for Photography
Have a keen interest in photography? Join MediaKids CCA! You will learn more about photography and acquire advanced skills through authentic photography experiences. MediaKids have been the official photographers for school events and even national events such as the Singapore Youth Festival. In addition, MediaKids learn about creativity and teamwork when they head out to participate in competitions such as National Primary School Photography Competition.
Click here to read about our MediaKids’ participation in the 2019 Singapore Youth Festival.