Using Photos as learning hooks

Have you ever considered the power of a photo as a 'hook' for learning?

So often we can find kids being turned off with maths as soon as they see the numbers.

This can be due to past bad experiences, low self esteem in their own ability, or teachers not tapping into other areas of learning where the children can be really successful.

The power of the photo cannot be underestimated. What one person may see in the photo can be totally different to what someone else might see.

They can also be used as a way to launch a topic, activity or inquiry.

Where they come from is varied, but I find that if we only use photos supplied by the teacher, we are limiting the scope of involvement of the children.

Children these days have so much access to devices where they can take photos, so why not let them take some ownership of the photos to be used as a stimulus?

It's all about providing rich contexts for learning, and giving the children a voice in the learning experiences.

Here are some samples of photos with some potential ideas for discussion.

You will notice that there is no focus on recording, it's all about generating ideas about the maths involved, but in a subtle way. If we jump in too hard and fast with the 'maths' of the photos, we can run the risk of losing their involvement very quickly.

So, what you see here is the proverbial 'tip of the iceberg'. Photo opportunities are everywhere, we just need to be open to them, and allow our kids access to capturing them!

All Aboard!!

What is going on here?

Why so many on the train?

How many on the train?

How many IN the train!!

Where could this be?

What are some of the reasons for this happening?

What if there were more carriages, would it still be the same?

I wonder how far they travel like this?

How long has this been going on?

Describe the looks on their faces, are they all the same?

Scrambled Eggs?

How many trays of eggs do you think he is carrying?

How many eggs in a tray?

Altogether?

Could he carry more?

Why is he using a motorbike? Why doesn't he use a car or something easier?

Where might he have come from?

Where could he be going?

Does the background give you a clue about where he might be?

Your delivery of firewood is here!!

What is being carried on this truck?

Why do they transport it this way?

Is there a reason why they put so much on one truck?

What are the people doing on top?

How do they get up or down?

Does the truck look safe enough?

How heavy could this be?

Do you think the sticks, or whatever they are, are light or heavy? Why do you think so?

Rolling out the barrels

How many barrels could be on this cart?

How much do you think each barrel might hold?

What do you think goes in the barrels?

Are they full or empty?

Is it safe for the person at the back?

Could they fit any more on?

Describe how the cart is made. Is it suitable for this job?

Look at the people pushing and pulling the cart. Tell what you can notice about them.

Any idea where this photo could have been taken?

I'm staying in the bike lane!

What is in the boxes?

How many boxes could there be?

Have they been stacked carefully? Will they fall off?

What could the pedestrians be thinking?

Where might he be going?

Are the boxes full or empty?

How high are they stacked? Could this cause problems?

Echidnas on wheels?

What are these people carrying?

How many on each bike could there be?

How are they connected?

Would they be heavy or light?

Where are they coming from, and where are they going?

Why do you think they are using bikes to carry them?

Is there room for one more?

How many people could be on this truck ( I think there is a truck underneath!)

Where are they going?

Where could they be?

What could be in the sacks?

Can you describe the mood of some of the travellers?

Why do you think they are travelling this way?

What would some of the greatest risks be?

I'm just about to tip over!

What do you think is in the sacks?

Would they be heavy or light? What makes you think so?

Would you have any of these things in your house?

Has the cart been changed so that it can carry extra?

Is it successful?

How would they get the sacks up on top?

Do you think the load is secure enough to be on the road?

Are we there yet?

How many people are on this truck? Like the previous one.

Why aren't they using the bikes?

Where could they be? What type of environment is it?

What is the person in white at the top doing?

Feeling thirsty?

Have you got containers like these in your house?

What do you use them for?

How much do they hold?

How many containers is this man carrying?

How did you count them?

Would they be full or empty?

If they were full, how heavy would the load be?

Where is he going?

Once again, why is he using a motorbike to carry them?

What would be the best way to transport them in your view?

This is not Lego!

Why is this person using a bike to carry these bricks?

How many bricks do you think are being carried?

Did this person stack the bricks on their own?

If one or more bricks fell off, how would they pick them up?

How much does one brick weigh?

How much weight is on this bike?

Could they fit a few more bricks on?

What would be the most effective way to transport the bricks?

Two is company, three is a crowd, but...

How many baskets could be on this bike?

Can you estimate the total number of ducks?

How would they stop them from getting out of the baskets?

Why wouldn't they carry them in cages?

Where could they be going?

Still Thirsty?

What could this man be delivering?

Would they be full or empty? Why do you think this?

How many containers can you see?

How many do you think could be carried?

If they were full, how much would each weigh? Altogether?

How does he get them into the top crate?

He must have big flowers!!

What do you think this man is carrying?

Why do it on a motorbike?

What are they used for? Do they have only one use?

How many containers are in the photo ? Look carefully!

What would happen if he was carrying just 1, or 3 or 5?

And finally, a photo that I took myself!!

What are these people doing?

How many are there? Remember to include all sides!!

Can you use the shapes to help estimate how many people altogether?

What type of building is this?

How did they get to the top?

Where was I?

How far away from them was I?

How did I get up my building? (You'll have to leave a comment if you want that answer, which I'm very happy to provide!)

This is just the start of something huge that you can do for yourselves.

Photos do not have to be something startling from the internet or newspaper, they just need to be something that captures your child's interest.

Once the interest and excitement is there, the opportunities to include deeper mathematical thinking will come, but don't race into it too soon!

Sometimes it might be just enough to discuss the photos for what they are worth, and over time you may find that they will get more picky about what photos they take as they start to look for more specific aspects.

I hope you have a lot of fun doing this, I always do!!