Recording Primary Resources: A Guide for Art Educators
Primary resources play an important role in a student's research and development in the early stages of their artistic journey. Encouraging students to collect, visit, or observe subjects firsthand is essential. They can document their findings through drawing, photography, or note-taking. Bring objects you or your students have gathered into the art room whenever possible.
The attached photos illustrate how I train my Year 8 students to gather primary resources (subject matter pictures) as they enter my classroom. This hands-on approach helps them develop a keen eye for detail and a deeper understanding of their subjects.
In addition to Year 8, I teach Year 9 to Year 11 students. I consistently emphasize the importance of taking their own photos and referring to primary resources, especially from Year 8 to Year 9. This practice ensures they gain valuable experience capturing high-quality images for their references. This training will prepare them to pursue Art & Design IGCSE in Year 10 and beyond.
To excel in photographic art, students should be familiar with the seven basic elements: line, shape, form, texture, colour, size, and depth. As a photographic artist, understanding and applying these elements can significantly enhance the composition and convey the intended meaning of your photograph.
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I am deeply committed to 21st-century learning, particularly the 4Cs: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Communication. I believe this photoshoot session will encourage students to work together to achieve excellent photo outcomes. While each student will use their own photo for reference, gathering objects, models, or items inherently applies the 4Cs to their learning experiences.
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I hope this sharing helps you in planning and guiding your students towards meeting IGCSE requirements.
Wishing you a great day ahead!
