If your elementary aged child needed to take a picture...?

[mmezest1997]

My children came how with a project that they can participate in for their PTA program in school. It "allows each student the opportunity to express their unique creativity in six ares of art: Literature, Visual Arts, Photography, Film Production, Dance Choreography, and Musical Composition."

My children want to do the photography portion since they LOVE taking pictures with their P&S cameras whenever we leave the house (i.e. in the car, in the driveway, in the store, etc - where ever they have the urge to snap the picture)!

The problem we are having is figuring out what to do as far as the theme goes. The theme this year is "Together We Can". My children have to do all the work themselves and per the rules, "an adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student's work"..."help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed".

Anyone have any ideas of how we can capture "Together We Can" through the lens with a 5 and 7 year old behind the camera? I'm not coming up with anything decent and they don't have any thoughts either. Thanks for any advice or help!

[scootermcq]

Maybe walk the streets with them and find people doing things together... walking hand in hand, helping an old lady with a parcel, stock boy loading a car, cuddling on a bench....

[Mike367]

I am struck with this seeming contradiction: "Together We Can" and "collaboration with other students is not allowed", so I guess they can't photograph other students participating in a group endeavor, or have other students joining to accomplish a task, such as plant a seedling, set the table for supper, play a game....

However, since your location is "Where ever Uncle Sam sends me", perhaps you can provide visual access to a group of adults working together towards a common goal. Even two soldiers walking down the street...

[mad editor]

Originally Posted by mmezest1997

My children came how with a project that they can participate in for their PTA program in school. It "allows each student the opportunity to express their unique creativity in six ares of art: Literature, Visual Arts, Photography, Film Production, Dance Choreography, and Musical Composition."

My children want to do the photography portion since they LOVE taking pictures with their P&S cameras whenever we leave the house (i.e. in the car, in the driveway, in the store, etc - where ever they have the urge to snap the picture)!

The problem we are having is figuring out what to do as far as the theme goes. The theme this year is "Together We Can". My children have to do all the work themselves and per the rules, "an adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student's work"..."help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed".

Anyone have any ideas of how we can capture "Together We Can" through the lens with a 5 and 7 year old behind the camera? I'm not coming up with anything decent and they don't have any thoughts either. Thanks for any advice or help!

Ahh.. that is the National PTA's Reflections Project - a wonderful arts in education project sponsored by the foremost children's advocacy group in the country! Many of "our" children participated in this annual competition way back when I was involved at the local, county, state, and national levels way back in the '80s. My assumption is that children cannot collaborate with each other or adults, meaning they need to do this completely on their own. I'd check the website of your state association - and proceed from there. Good luck to them! It's really a big deal to participate - and even more so to be a winner on any level.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by Mike367

However, since your location is "Where ever Uncle Sam sends me", perhaps you can provide visual access to a group of adults working together towards a common goal. Even two soldiers walking down the street...

Nice catch..... I like it!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by mmezest1997

It "allows each student the opportunity to express their unique creativity in six ares of art: Literature, Visual Arts, Photography, Film Production, Dance Choreography, and Musical Composition."
[...]
with a 5 and 7 year old

I'm gonna come out and say it: I'm sorry but a 5-7 year old hasn't got the background to express those things. It's not happening.

[mmezest1997]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I'm gonna come out and say it: I'm sorry but a 5-7 year old hasn't got the background to express those things. It's not happening.

I agree, but they have grade divisions for:
Primary: Preschool - grade 2
Intermediate: grades 3-5
Middle/Junior: grades 6-8
Senior: grades 9-12

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by mmezest1997

I agree, but they have grade divisions for:
Primary: Preschool - grade 2
Intermediate: grades 3-5
Middle/Junior: grades 6-8
Senior: grades 9-12

That's fine for the Middle/Junior and Senior groups, but anything below that seems like a bit of a waste of time. A child that age doesn't have the life experience and empirical knowledge to be able to convey much through art: they're still lacking that further insight that is developed later on.

It sounds to me more like a PTA make-work program, but that could just be me.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

A child that age doesn't have the life experience and empirical knowledge to be able to convey much through art: they're still lacking that further insight that is developed later on.

Really? Gallery Page - Akiane, child prodigy
Just one example of many of not putting children in a box of "inexperience" and writing them off, when more often than not, their imagination is peaking. I think the older children get, they tend to lose that creativity, unless they are allowed to embrace it.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Really? Gallery Page - Akiane, child prodigy
Just one example of many of not putting children in a box of "inexperience" and writing them off, when more often than not, their imagination is peaking. I think the older children get, they tend to lose that creativity, unless they are allowed to embrace it.

Wow! That is amazing!! And I totally agree with what you have said. I have a 5 and 7 year old boy, sometimes I am blown away by how imaginative and creative they are. For example, they recently got some of those tiny finger skateboards. They wanted a build a skate park to play with them. So I let them have a roll of tape and all of the cardboard boxes from the recycle bin. They came up with a skate park that is about 4 by 5 feet with ramps and pipes and rails. It is pretty ugly, but complely amazing! With children, you have to embrace and encourage their creativity. Yes, they are inexerienced, but everyone is at some point in their lives. This is how we grow and learn.

To the OP, if it were me, I would take them on a photowalk somewhere. I would continually reinforce and remind them of what their goal is, and just go with whatever photos they take. Since it is divided into categories, I am sure that theirs will be inline with others in their age groups.