“Why do objects have meaning?” Join photographer, and former Creative Laureate of Portland, Julie Keefe, to answer this essential question by using photography and six word stories. Julie will guide students through a process that includes photography, writing and graphic design to create an original poster that demonstrates their personal connection and value of their object. Students will practice photography, creative writing, and graphic design in this powerful program that combines visual and literary art.

Students will use high quality Ricoh digital cameras, printed color photographs, and a variety of graphic design tools.

Students and their families will be alerted and reminded to bring an object from home.

Day 1 Julie will introduce peer examples that detail the project and provide goals and expectations. Students will learn basic camera operation and composition via in-class demonstrations. Students will brainstorm + discuss objects from their own lives that hold meaning. Students will pair up and practice with cameras inside the classroom.

Day 2 We will review the project’s goals via a “photo scavenger hunt” list, brainstorm ideas with our partners, and then head outside, (no matter the weather), to create visual metaphors through photographs.

Day 3 Students receive their 4″x6″ printed photographs, share them on their tables and participate in a group “photo walk” where positive vocabulary is outlined and encouraged. This empowers students to more easily choose the three photographs they will use for their individual posters.

Day 4 Using written+visual “mind mapping” tools as inspiration; and by audibly, visually and often physically, sharing a wide variety of poems, essays and peer examples, students create the writing they will use to craft a six-word story about their object.

Day 5 Using quality paper, gel pens, stencils, sharpies and glue and by incorporating elements of design, students create their posters and share them with the class.

This program offered by: Julie Keefe