Jennifer+B.+photo+lesson+plan

Photo/Poster Analysis Lesson Plan

Photo (s): [|Current photo of Erie Canal in Buffalo, NY] Poster: Erie Canal Poster**
 * __Grade 4__

**Title**: Compare/Contrast Canal photos

**Materials**: Introduction: **
 * Objectives**:
 * Students will compare and contrast a photo and poster of the Erie Canal Harbor in Buffalo, NY
 * Standards**: PA State Standards
 * 1.2.3 A Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas
 * 1.2.3 B Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of material produced
 * 1.5.3 A Write with a sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task and audience.
 * 1.5.3 B Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
 * NARA sheet
 * Venn diagram sheet
 * photo and poster for each group
 * [[file:Venn Diagram Rubric.doc]]
 * [[file:Third and Fourth Grade Writing Rubric Assessment.pdf]]


 * Review prior knowledge of how canals were used in the early 1900s versus current uses
 * Activity**:
 * In small groups, use the NARA to analyze the poster and photo
 * Independently create a Venn Diagram based upon the NARA analysis of the two images of Erie's Canal Harbor in Buffalo, NY
 * Each student will write a paragraph describing what they think a photo from the early 1900s would look like of the Erie Canal Harbor in Buffalo, NY.
 * Assessment**:


 * Students will submit their Venn Diagrams to display understanding of comparing and contrasting documents. A rubric will be used to evaluate.
 * Paragraph will be scored based upon a rubric designed for student to incorporate information related to research of canals in the early 1900s.
 * Paragraph will also be scored with a rubric for content writing on the quality of writing.

Jen, I love this idea! The photo and poster views are very similar, so comparison and contrast should be easy for the kids. Definitely a good idea to have them use the NARA sheets first, especially since this is designed for 4th grade. NARA is guided, while SEA is far more open to interpretation. My opinion is 4th graders need guidance :) I also enjoy the aspect of having them create their own Venn Diagrams-it might be a small thing, but putting responsibility on them in younger years really pays off when they hit me in 10th grade! Kudos, as well, on the creative writing paragraph. WRITE, WRITE, WRITE! Just a heads-up: You mention rubrics that will be used to grade the Venn and paragraphs. You may want to include those here; I lost points on one of my assignments for referencing a worksheet/rubric and not including it. Just thought you might like to know :) jess

Thanks for the pointers, Jess. I really appreciate your input about adding the rubrics :) Jen

This lesson is nice in that it compares and contrasts two mediums of the same image. The NARA worksheet allows the students to breakdown their observations of what they saw. The Venn diagram uses the similarities and differences of the two images. This should really open up the students observations. I like how you have the students describe in a paragraph how the canal would look like in the early 1900’s. This also opens up their imagination and their prior knowledge. (Ed)