Using the resources referenced on the Global Snapshots page, guide students through the process of analyzing a photograph.
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Primary Source Analysis Tool and Teacher's Guide from Library of Congress
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Analyze a Photograph (Elementary and English Language Learners) from National Archives
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Analyze a Photograph (Intermediate and Secondary Students) from National Archives
This first photograph below walks through the steps one at a time. After practicing a few times, you can reference the resources above,
or use the table below:
Step 1: Observe
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What do you notice?
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What is interesting?
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What's happening in this photograph?
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What else do you notice?
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How would you describe this photograph in a few words or a sentence?
Step 2: Reflect
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Where do you think this photograph was taken?
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When was it taken?
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Why was this photograph taken?
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Why makes you think that?
Step 3: Questions
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What do you wonder about this photograph?
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Who?
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When?
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Where?
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Why?
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How?
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Step 4: Research
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Optional: You can choose to research the photograph based on:
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Questions you have about the photograph
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Inferences you have about the photograph
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Inspiration you have from the photograph
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Architecture Photograph #1
Step 1: Observe
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What do you notice?
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What is interesting?
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What's happening in this photograph?
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What else do you notice?
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How would you describe this photograph in a few words or a sentence?
Step 2: Reflect
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Where do you think this photograph was taken?
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When was it taken?
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What makes you think that?
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Why was this photograph taken? What part of the photograph makes you think that?
Step 3: Questions
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What do you wonder about this photograph? Use these question starters: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
Step 4: Research
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You can choose to research the photograph based on:
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Questions brought to mind by the photograph
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Inferences as to where you think the photograph was taken
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An inspiration from the photograph
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Bonus: Check out the photograph above in Google Earth to learn where it was taken.
Architecture Photograph #2
Bonus: Check out the photograph above in Google Earth to learn where it was taken.