Lesson Ideas

The Picture Magic resources offer teachers comprehensive ‘how to’ support in engaging children in quality authentic learning. The lesson ideas below require little or no preparation, are simple to deliver and offer many starting points for inquiry based learning.

Caution: Not just any old picture will do! Nor will a boring delivery! If we are not inspired ourselves, chances are that the children won’t be either!

Lesson Idea: Making Connections

Choose an engaging Picture Magic photograph and allow the children time to observe and share their thoughts and experiences about the photo. Then to extend the thinking you might ask…

I wonder what connections the photograph might have with

• The environment
• People
• Childhood
• The past
• The future
• Learning
• Another culture or country
• Survival

You might use just one of the above ideas, several of them or exhaust all possible connections. Ask ‘why’ to further extend the children’s thinking.

Suggestion… Encourage the children to think of possible connections. Remember the value is in the thinking and not just the right answers. Value all responses and encourage children to talk about how they made their connections.

Suggestion… Map the connections through drawings and the use of coloured lines as a way of recording the thinking and linking the connections even further. This can be fun and offers a great visual way of tracking the thinking and learning.

Suggestion… If you want a particular curriculum focus, choose words that gently steer the children in that direction eg. for a wellbeing focus you might ask what connections does the photograph have with feelings, friends or relationships.

Lesson Idea: What did you find…?

Select one of the Picture Magic photographs that might take the children by surprise, stir emotions or provoke a response. Choose one that is something out of the ordinary or shows lots of up close detail like the interesting character in the photograph here. Allow them time to observe, wonder and develop their thinking. Then ask…

"What did you find…?"

• Amazing
• Surprising
• Scary
• Unusual
• Disgusting
• Interesting
• Unbelievable
• Clever
• Funny
• Fascinating
• That you never knew
• That you would like to learn more about

Suggestion… Use the same photograph to spark ideas for creative thinking and writing. Encourage the children to let their imagination run wild, having fun with the photograph and creating a series of adventures.

Suggestion… Use the photograph as a wellbeing focus and ask “How does the way people look affect our attitude toward them? Talk about needs and feelings or choices and attitudes.

Suggestion… Simply ask “What do you know about this?” Sit back and allow the children to share their feelings, ideas and experiences.

Suggestion… Use it when working in a 1:1 situation as a language tool to encourage conversation and sharing of ideas and feelings.