 Teacher Martha Richardson includes a disposable
camera on her students' supply list for the year -- in return, she gives
parents a photographic record of their children's school year. Included:
Richardson describes her camera project.
Although many parents come to school for special programs, they often
do not have time to participate in everyday classroom activities, such
as group reading, holiday parties, or computer lessons. Martha Richardson,
a kindergarten teacher in Grady, New Mexico, decided to capture those
special moments on film for parents.
At the beginning of last school year, Richardson asked all the children
to bring to school a 24-exposure disposable camera. Then, throughout the
year, Richardson took photos of the children at events, such as holiday
parties, as well as participating in classroom activities, including singing,
reading, playing, and working on the computer. If a child created something
he or she was particularly proud of, Richardson photographed that too.
"They loved it," she says about the children's response to the project.
"They wanted me to take their pictures all of the time."
When the cameras ran out of film, Richardson sent them home so parents
could develop the film. Some parents even supplied a second camera, Richardson
says. She kept some photos for a class scrapbook, but the parents were
able to keep the rest.
"I got several notes at the end of the school year from parents, saying
how much they appreciated it," Richardson says. "There are some neat memories.
These kids were together all year and may be together through 12th grade."
The school has about 135 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Robin Isler, whose daughter Jacee was in Richardson's class, says she
appreciated the photographs. "I liked having her whole year in front of
me," Isler tells Education World. "It made me feel like I wasn't missing
anything."
Richardson plans to take pictures again this year and will supply a
camera for any child who cannot afford one. "It was one of my favorite
things to do," she says. "It was fun capturing those moments. They are
things you can't redo."
Article by Ellen R. Delisio
Education World®
Copyright © 2005 Education World
10/07/2005
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