Why such an approach?
To develop students’ sense of observation To encourage students to ask questions and make
interpretations To sharpen students’ critical faculties
Joy in Cerro Blanco
CREMwww.reseau-crem.qc.ca/projet/banque.htm
Hitler Historical Museum (www.hitler.org)
Why such an approach?
To develop students’ sense of observation To encourage students to ask questions and make
interpretations To sharpen students’ critical faculties To allow students to work directly with primary sources To give students the opportunity to establish, modify and
validate their own perceptions and understanding of history To allow students to draw a diagram identifying key elements To provide students with an activity that does not involve
traditional reading tasks
Where: Québec, in a sugar shack?When: 1950s? Economy – Energy:
Use of electricity
Culture and society: Presence of women in the kitchen
Economy: American influence (import of consumer goods from the U.S.)
Culture and society: Cultural influence (consumer products)
Economy – Energy: Use of a wood stove
Activity overview
1. General observations– Context, type of photo, photographer, source
2. Photo description– What is represented? A hypothesis
3. Identification of photo elements– Where, when, who, what (objects, buildings, etc.)
4. Analysis of photo elements– How does the presence of certain clues provide information
about the event photographed? Verification of the hypothesis
5 key elements
1. Form and function (what?): material, size, shape, colour, manufacture, use, etc.
2. Location (where?): town, house, climate, factory, etc.3. Time (when?): century, year, time of day, season, before,
after, event, wedding, childhood, old age, short, long, etc.4. People (who?): man, woman, child, politician, soldier,
peasant, rich, poor, etc.5. Meaning (why?): emotion, sentiment, beautiful, funny,
useful, precious, significant, etc.
When was this photo taken?
Where was this photo taken?
If the photo is from your family’s photo album, can you interview (oral source) the people in the photo (the actors) or people who knew these people (witnesses)?
Questions for students