Grade 2 Photography Lesson Plan: “Exploring Photography”

Objective:
Students will learn foundational photography concepts, practice framing and composition, and express themselves creatively through capturing images.

Lesson Overview

Title: Photography Basics for Second Graders
Grade Level: 2
Duration: 60 minutes
Materials Needed:

  • Digital cameras, smartphones, or tablets (one per 2-3 students)
  • Props (toys, books, plants, colorful objects)
  • Example photos showcasing composition techniques

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction to Photography (10 minutes)

Goal: Understand what photography is and why it’s fun.

  • Brief discussion:
    • “What is a photo?”
    • “Why do we take photos?” (e.g., to remember, to share stories, or to show beauty).
  • Show a variety of photos, explaining the purpose (e.g., capturing emotions, landscapes, or action).

2. Learning Camera Basics (15 minutes)

Goal: Familiarize students with basic camera operations.

  • Demonstrate:
    • Turning the camera on/off.
    • Using the focus feature: “Tap to focus on an object.”
    • Framing: Holding the camera steady and looking through the screen/viewfinder.
    • The importance of good lighting: taking photos near windows or in bright areas.
  • Practice:
    • Have students pair up and practice taking photos of each other or small objects.

3. Introduction to Composition (20 minutes)

Goal: Teach students how to compose better photos.

  • Explain Simple Techniques:
    • Rule of thirds: “Imagine your screen has 3 lines up and down, and side to side. Place your object where the lines meet!”
    • Using backgrounds: “What’s behind your object? Does it look nice?”
    • Close-up vs. wide shots: “Does your picture tell a story when you get close or far?”
  • Activity:
    • Let students explore the classroom or playground and take photos based on prompts:
      • “Find something beautiful outside.”
      • “Take a picture of something small up close.”
      • “Capture a photo of your friend smiling.”

4. Review and Reflect (15 minutes)

Goal: Celebrate students’ work and identify creative successes.

  • Display photos on a screen or show them directly on devices.
  • Have each student share their favorite photo and explain why they like it.
  • Offer encouraging feedback, highlighting good use of focus, lighting, or composition.

Follow-Up Activity

Encourage students to create a “Photo Journal” at home. Ask them to take 3 pictures of things that make them happy and write one sentence about each photo. Bring the journal to the next class to share.

This lesson emphasizes hands-on learning and creative exploration while introducing second graders to the exciting world of photography. It’s designed to nurture their curiosity and help them develop observation skills.