Instead of having the students write the basic “How To” paper, this lesson will allow them to create a visual essay that depicts the steps in a process.  This lesson is easily adapted to many subject areas and highlights the universal ideas that can be understood from images rather than words.  It also lets all your students get creative and use the technology of digital cameras. This lesson should take about 2-5 days to complete (depending on availability of cameras and printers).

Created by Angelia Greiner, December 2007

Students will create a visual essay by using a camera to take pictures of the steps in a given process. TEKS §110.41. English I. (b) 2(E), 4(D), 17, 21.

* can easily be adapted to a variety of different class subjects, see examples

1. Define what a process is.  A series of actions or operations to create an end result. 



2. Brainstorm types of processes.  photosynthesis, water cycle, baking a cake, sewing an article of clothing, how a bill becomes a law, building a house, changes in a community over time, etc.



3. Model a visual essay by showing the digital images of the lumber industry and the process of East Texas timber to useable lumber. These images show some of the steps involved in the processing of timber, and can be found on the TIDES website (Lumber Industry photos). 



4. Students need to complete research on a process.  After researching the process, the student should make a list of the steps involved in the process. Students may need to get “creative” in capturing the steps on camera.



5. Students will need to print out their digital pictures and then use card stock to frame their pictures for display. Students should submit their visual essay with all visual pictures in correct order. Students should include a brief typed statement about their photo on the back.

Search the TIDES databaseVisual Essay example Examples of Processes Digital camera
Heavy card stock
Camera photo paper, (4x6) or (5x7)
Glue
Computer/word processor