Nature Walk & Photograph Taking
A Nature Walk is enjoyable but becomes even more thrilling and inspiring when paired with a photo competition. The act of taking photographs encourages learners to discover and appreciate the beauty that surrounds them in nature.
Photo Competition
Some learners may not enjoy competitions, but it is helpful to view them as opportunities to grow your skills rather than a win-lose scenario. You can learn a great deal from others’ work, regardless of whether you win or lose.
Before the Blue 4 (fourth grade) learners took pictures in the garden, I showed them a photo taken by a learner (Esha) last year. It was a unique close-up photo captured from a low angle. Her photo inspired the learners and they took beautiful pictures in the garden. Below are the examples of their images.
Photograph Taking Instructions
I showcased the Blue 4 learners’ photos on the big screen in the classroom before the K-2 grade classes went on a Nature Walk (The walk details are shared in the previous post). The learners were amazed, exclaiming, “Wow!” and “So beautiful!” For the Purple 5 learners, I only displayed Esha’s photo because I thought too many examples would limit their creativity. I encouraged them to take beautiful, unique, and interesting pictures for the photo competition.
Photo Competition Procedure
During the walk, the learners eagerly took pictures and uploaded their favorite shots to the media album on Schoology, the online learning management system, afterward. I selected 4 to 6 photos from the album to create a Google Form for each class, allowing the learners to vote on their favorites. Depending on their grade level, they chose the best photo, as well as the most interesting, most unique, or most artistic ones. The votes from each class determined the winners, and their work is now displayed at the Garden Museum, the area where our gardening activities are exhibited at school.
🏆 Class Winners
Other Learners' Work
Choosing a limited number of photos for the competition was difficult because there were so many amazing ones. The learners uploaded their favorite pictures to the Schoology course. All students, regardless of whether they participated in the competition, can access all uploaded images.
Reflections on this Competition
It was inspiring to see how our learners’ work motivated others to enhance their photography skills and find joy in taking photographs. I hope this competition encouraged the learners to unlock their potential and helped them view the world from new perspectives.