I am all done with teaching my very first photography class ever! It was a lot of fun. The first day of class I realized that 4-6th graders do not have a very long attention span and don't want to know why things work, just as long as they work. Well, I will remember that for next time. I also learned that they do not enjoy 'watching' someone demonstrate how to do something. They would rather just get started. Ok - again, I will remember this for next time. I also learned that they can be very easily side tracked, I need to keep them on the subject.
Most of the kids were disappointed when I handed out their film and gave them an assignment of what to shoot. They were hoping that they could just take pictures of whatever they wanted. Oh well, I am not only showing them how to develop prints in a darkroom, I am also showing them that art can be found in almost any object. The assignment was to photography shoes. I gave them several ideas on how they could do this and encouraged them to come up with their own ideas. I think most of them had fun with the project. I got some really good pictures from them.
On the 2nd day of class all the kids were excited to start printing. 4 of the kids were there on time and did not want to wait for the other 2 to get there. But since it is a 'darkroom' we kinda had to wait until everyone got there. So I tried to get them started on the stuff they could do in the light. Then they were all ready to start their test strip and wanted me to turn out the lights. Then the other 2 finally got to class (10 mins late, I might add) and I had to start all over with them and the other 4 had to wait until they caught up. They were not too happy about that. They kept telling me to turn the lights off so they could get started and I kept telling them that they had to wait until the other 2 were ready.
Ok - finally I shut the lights off and everyone was starting. Then suddenly all 6 wanted my help cuz they could not remember how to do this or do that. I would be trying to help one person when 2 other kids are pulling or poking me and trying to tell me their problem. I tried to explain that I could only help one at a time and for about 2 mins they would let me, then suddenly they were all talking to me at once. Ahhhhhh... what a learning experience. I know it sounds like I was not having fun, but really I was. I was just concerned that I would give 1 or 2 students more of my time then the others and was trying to space myself out. Also, I had to leave the darkroom once in awhile to look at their test strips and prints in the white light. Every time one of the kids wanted me to go out to the light with them a different kid wanted me to help them focus their print. Well, I can't be in two places at once. I think I need an assistant. (lol)
I was very suprised at how well the kids behaved around the chemicals. Granted I gave them a huge lecture the first day about the dangers of the chemicals and that if they played with them or were rough housing around the chemicals I will have them leave the class. No 2nd chances. And wow, they really listened to that. When they were at their enlargers they would joke and play around a lot but once they got to the wet side of the room they were all calm. They still talked to each other but they were very responsible around the chemicals. I was so very proud of that.
I had the kids wear latex gloves (just a good practice when working with the chemicals - I wear gloves everytime) and found that they would find any reason to take the gloves off and put a new pair on. I think one kind went thru at least 4 pairs of gloves before I told him that he could not take his gloves off anymore. I started out with around 16 - 18 pairs of gloves and when the class got done I only had 3 pairs left. I will have to explain to the kids next time that they need to use only one pair of gloves.
Anyway, almost all of there pictures turned out really good. And most of the kids were able to print more then one picture. I framed one print from each kid and they are now ready for the kids to pick up. About 3 of the kids have been by to pick up their pictures. But the other 3 still have to pick theirs up. I did tell them that if the prints did not get picked up within 3 weeks that they would be thrown. I won't really throw them, I will hang them on the walls in the darkroom. I also learned that I need to have the kids make two prints each time. One for themseslves and one for the classroom.
Anyway, I had a lot of fun with the class and I learned just as much as the kids did. I am excited to teach my 2nd class which starts on Monday. Well, I had better get going, I still have to think up an assignment for my next class.
DL
