Before the start of this school year I asked my older children what they’d like to learn more about. My eldest, then a rising eighth grader, said photography. Specifically digital photography. Hadn’t I just seen Amanda Bennett tweet about that same unit study being on sale?
“I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.” ~Author Unknown
Not only did my daughter learn about digital photography but her enthusiasm encouraged her siblings. It’s also been a learning opportunity for mom. Isn’t that a wonderful benefit of homeschooling – continuing education for the teacher too?
The unit study is an approach for the whole family. Each week is presented:
- For Two Levels – Lower (elementary) and Upper (middle/high grades) – so everyone can learn together if you’d like!
- With a List of favorite books
From the unit study site: “Topics covered in this study include:
- The science of light and lenses.
- The history of photography.
- Camera basics.
- Composing a photo.
- Famous photographers and their work.
- Applications of photography.
- Working with a digital photograph. “
“Every artist was first an amateur.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Four Weeks of Study. Each week includes:
- Learning Plans for Days 1-4
- Weekly Windup
- Additional Internet Sites
- Today’s Quote
- Words of Wisdom (vocabulary)
- Interesting people and places
- Read and discover
The Digital Photography unit is in pdf format. A download with all the internet links readily available.
The digital photography unit is fun!
What we liked: This unit is easily adaptable to any schedule. We chose to spread the four weeks out over eight. The study is rich with information so you can dig as deeply as you’d like for your student(s) to – on any level. We really enjoyed the family project ideas (e.g., a family calendar for grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins across the country), plus the daily quotes, a few of which are scattered throughout this post. My daughter liked the photography assignments – she used her iPod on photo scavenger hunts and challenges and photography journal assignments. This study was even the inspiration for her science fair project: Comparing the Camera to the Human Eye.
“Photography was once described as painting with light.” ~ Anonymous
Where to find Digital Photography Unit Study and more information:
- Amanda Bennett’s Digital Photography is available from Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett
- You can view a sample and peek inside the unit here
- You might also be interested in Amanda’s explanation of What is a Unit Study? here
In summary: Digital Photography was everything we needed in one, neat pdf format. A jumping off place for learning. Inspiration for more exploration. Amanda Bennett’s unit study built confidence and opened wider the doors of delight with photography.
~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting, frugal living and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.
Love this! We all like to take photos in our family, but a class we could maybe even do together would be so helpful! thank you!
Theresa – you will definitely love it – and learn so much (as we did!)
Thank you so much for posting this. I had signed my Daughter up for a class that our local homeschooling group was putting on and sadly it ended up being more about a “large company” and their cool new toys then learning about digital Photography. =O( This is perfect!