Picture Frame

Picture Frame Description of the strategy Picture Frame

The strategy

Pupils are given an image which is related to a specific topic. The image is placed in a picture frame with questions which can be answered individually or in a group of pupils (resource 1). This activity is useful to get pupils to critically reflect on an image. It is a flexible method that can be used to evaluate preconceptions, to think of potential causes, or to stimulate discussion. As such it can be used in conjunction with many other strategies and is particularly useful to start a lesson off, or to summarize different perspectives at the end of a lesson.

Example (of the strategy in action)

The thematic question is: Is Europe a place where people think that family is important? The lesson focus is: Is Europe a place where people think the same about family?

1 The class is divided in several groups of four members. 2 Introduce the topic: Is Europe a place where people think that family is important? 3 Each group is given a different picture of a family in a European country. They place the im- age in the picture frame.

Task: 4 Pupils are given five minutes during which time they individually and silently look at the im- age and try to give answers to the questions. 5 After five minutes the pupils share their answers with their group. 6 After 5 minutes every group writes down the answers on which all members agree.

7 The teacher can then use a power point presentation to show every picture to the class. Ex- plain where each picture was taken.

Task: 8 Can the pupils tell from the picture if family is found important in that particularly country? Which ‘evidence’ gives the picture for this opinion? 9 Show the map: Family important in life. http://www.atlasofeuropeanvalues.eu/kaart.php? lang=en Task: How important do is family in the countries where the pictures were taken? Are there differences or similarities between the countries? Is there a pattern? What could explain the differences?

Debriefing questions a) Do the pictures correspond with the map? Does the picture differ from the map or is it compli- mentary? b) Do the pictures show how a family should be? c) Are the pictures and the map reliable sources to show how important family is in European countries?

Debriefing questions a) How did you make your choice? What was the main argument to skip one or two of the countries? b) When you looked at the map, were there any surprises? c) What information would help you to make a more valid decision? Picture Frame

Why is it a good method to use? Images can be powerful resources in lessons. Too often they are used as an illustration and not as a source of information. Pictures are not objective but show certain values and have a message. They are also perceived from a specific cultural context which can differ from other European countries. This strategy encourages pupils to think critically about the information which is shown in pictures and in the maps of Europe.

Why does it work with the maps? The map in the Atlas of European Values shows the average of the importance of family in various European countries. The map does not show what family means for individuals. By relating the photos to the map, pupils become aware of the gap between the information on the map and what family can mean in daily life existence.

Resource 1 What can you see? What can you tell from this picture?

Place picture here

What does the picture not show? What question would you like to ask? This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.