Crop It
Grade K-12
Big Idea
In the Crop It activity, students use cropping tools (paper borders) to frame a portion of an image and then discuss their choice with classmates. This strategy uses a variety of depth and complexity promts: details, language of discipline, big idea and multiple perspectives.
Preparation
* Gather images that you want students to analyze and print
* Create one set of classes per student (takes some initial prepping but then you can use them over and over again)
Directions
1. Look at the image closely using the smallest pair of glasses
2. Have students discuss the following questions with their partner.
-What part of the image first caught your eye?
-What part of the image shows what this image is about?
-What part of the image shows a problem?
-Do you notice any trends with the images?
3. Give students the next size up glasses and repeat the questions.
4. Repeat step 3 until all of the glasses have been used.
5. Reflect as a class about trends they noticed and if there were still questions even after using the largest glasses.
When to Use
This can be used when introducing a topic to find out what the students already know. This can be used at the end of lesson as a formative assessment. This also can be used in the middle of a lesson as a check in point for learning.
Strategy Variations
* Instead of students working individually, have them work in partners through out the whole process
* Let students record their thinking through video or audio discussion