These are some favorite photos from a photography and creative writing residency I am doing this week with fourth graders in Durham, North Carolina.
The creative process can be so chaotic and I appreciate that teachers make space in their classrooms for the messy muse of a residency. We have had some technical difficulties to overcome (downloading and organizing four classes of twenty five students (yes that is 100 X multiple photos -- and some students did not follow directions and limit their photos to five to seven photos each). But we got through it. The first day is the easiest day of the residency -- the kids are in full on muse mode composing photos.
The second day is tricky as the students select one photo to write from. When we use digital cameras during residencies, there is an added component of downloading them and transferring them over which can be a difficult task for younger students.
I am excited for the third day of the residency as we get down to the writing aspect. Students create their own writing prompt essentially during this residency, as they are encouraged to write from their own inspiration and follow the muse -- in whatever genre they choose. It takes time for some students to sit with their photo and let it simmer. When the spark happens, it is wonderful to witness.
Today a student was talking about her photo to me. She took a gorgeous photo of the outside of the building. There was a reflection of the forest that surrounds the school in the middle on the glass of the building. The bottom third of the photo was brick. The top third was cobalt blue sky. It was a perfect example of the rule of thirds. I asked her to tell me what she saw in her photo. She said, "That is classroom from last year up there." We talked some more. Then she said, "I have a great idea. I could time travel back to my old classroom!" I said, "You're writing science fiction, darling. Write on." Then I had to ask, "Do you watch Dr. Who?" She shook her head no, and another student chimed in, "I do. I do." Then I said to her, "The Tardis is a time machine."
Here are some of my favorite images from the week so far. Enjoy. What do you see?
The creative process can be so chaotic and I appreciate that teachers make space in their classrooms for the messy muse of a residency. We have had some technical difficulties to overcome (downloading and organizing four classes of twenty five students (yes that is 100 X multiple photos -- and some students did not follow directions and limit their photos to five to seven photos each). But we got through it. The first day is the easiest day of the residency -- the kids are in full on muse mode composing photos.
The second day is tricky as the students select one photo to write from. When we use digital cameras during residencies, there is an added component of downloading them and transferring them over which can be a difficult task for younger students.
I am excited for the third day of the residency as we get down to the writing aspect. Students create their own writing prompt essentially during this residency, as they are encouraged to write from their own inspiration and follow the muse -- in whatever genre they choose. It takes time for some students to sit with their photo and let it simmer. When the spark happens, it is wonderful to witness.
Today a student was talking about her photo to me. She took a gorgeous photo of the outside of the building. There was a reflection of the forest that surrounds the school in the middle on the glass of the building. The bottom third of the photo was brick. The top third was cobalt blue sky. It was a perfect example of the rule of thirds. I asked her to tell me what she saw in her photo. She said, "That is classroom from last year up there." We talked some more. Then she said, "I have a great idea. I could time travel back to my old classroom!" I said, "You're writing science fiction, darling. Write on." Then I had to ask, "Do you watch Dr. Who?" She shook her head no, and another student chimed in, "I do. I do." Then I said to her, "The Tardis is a time machine."
Here are some of my favorite images from the week so far. Enjoy. What do you see?