A Teacher's Guide to Through the Lens

Through the Lens is a process as well as an exhibition. These photographs were made by students from grades 7-12 and are a selection made from 59 students over 3 years of the project and 171 photographs.  This guide is designed to help you and your students connect not only with the photographs contained within the exhibition, but with the process of discovery its makers experienced. These photographs are windows into the hearts of individuals and their communities. We hope these activities can facilitate a similar process for your participants.

Photography comes from the words “foto grafia” and means “drawing with light.” Light gives definition to the subject and dimension to the photograph. Time should be spent having your students looking at the different lighting conditions in all of these photographs and how the light works with the subject matter.

This guide includes activities that will help you explore the exhibition and connect it to aspects of the social studies, language learning, drama, and visual art curriculum. We hope you use it in the spirit in which it is intended: as a kick-starter for ideas, a guide to be shaped through use, and as a starting point for further investigation.

As a group, these activities are designed to give students an understanding of the elements of photography, an appreciation of it as an art form, and a greater awareness of the meaning of community. Looking, discussion, and hands-on activity are worked into all activities. Also included is a list of essay and/or discussion topics that can be used to spark debate or built into activities of their own. Teachers are encouraged to pick and choose, mix and match according to their student’s needs, curriculum requirements, and time constraints.

Most important: Have fun with these activities and enjoy the art!

– Introduction – The Art of Seeing – Camera Equipment and Darkroom – Gallery –
– Educational Resources – Through the Lens – Whyte Museum –