Lesson 3: Using Specific Historical Photographs

Specific historical photographs are studied to trace events and people who contributed to community/nation development.

Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts

Grade Levels: 4-12

Time Frame: 2-3 class periods

Materials Needed:

• Photographs of notable historical figures, places or events.

• Instructions on Analyzing Photographs (Worksheet)

• Reference Materials

Learning Objectives: Students will:

1. Understand the contributions made by women, aboriginals, immigrants and children during a specific event e.g. War

2. Research contributions of the various groups to the specific events and present the information gathered.

3. Locate other related photographs and create a visual display.

Procedure:

1. Direct students to analyze their chosen photograph and to complete the worksheet. Identify historical figures, places, or events and point them out in the photographs when needed.

2. Direct students to research the subject matter in their chosen photograph. Each student or group is to research the historical information in their photographs and to report their findings to the class.

3. Provide a list of characteristics they can research on.

4. Ask students to display and explain the photographs to the class.

Analyzing a Photograph

Observation

1. Study the photograph for 2 minutes.

2. Form an overall impression of the photograph and then examine individual items.

3. Divide the photo (if possible) into quadrants (4 parts) and study each section to see what new details become visible.

Use the chart below to list people, objects and activities in the photograph.

People Objects Activities

Inferences

• Based on what you have observed above, list 3 things you might conclude from this photograph.

Questions

1. What do I exactly see in the photos?

2. What has changed since the photographs were taken?

3. What has stayed the same?

4. What can you tell about the ways life then was different from life now?

5. When do you think these photos were taken? Why do you think so?

6. In what ways does this photo summerize what was happening at the time they were taken?

7. What are your impressions based on the photo?

Photography Unit

Lesson 3: Using Specific Historical Photographs

Specific historical photographs are studied to trace events and people who contributed to community/nation development.

Photograph Collections: 
Glenbow Archives Photographs
http://ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesPhotosSearch.aspx

Louise Mckinney Riverfront Photo Gallery
(not available at this time)
http://www.louisemckinneyriverfront.com/sub_pages/
Flood of 1915, Ice making, Coal & gold mining, Brickyards, Other industries, Bridges, Boats & boat building, First Nations People, Recreation and Louise McKinney

National Archives of Canada
http://www.archives.ca/
Living Memory, Places, People, and Aboriginal Peoples

Alberta Home, Home on the Plains 
http://www.abheritage.ca/pasttopresent/
Land of Opportunity, Settlement History or Rural Life

Alberta How the West Was Young
http://www.abheritage.ca/alberta/
Archaeology & Pre-Contact, First Nations & Métis, or Fur Trade & Mission History

Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
http://civilization.ca/
Archaeology, Civilizations, Cultures, First Peoples, History, and Military History

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Lesson 1: Using Historical Photographs

Lesson 2: Using Historical Photographs 2

Lesson 3: Using Specific Historical Photographs

Lesson 4: Using Photographs to Time Travel

Lesson 5: Photographic History Timeline

Lesson 6: Manipulating Photographs

Lesson 7: To Censor or Not? The Power of War Photographs

Download Lesson 1 in Word Document format.