Digital Documenters

Students in Grade 2 study community components and characteristics, as well as local history. Grade 2 students at Columbus Elementary use an inquiry process to guide their study of social studies concepts such as transportation, communication, government, businesses and jobs. Students present key ideas and research findings in a poster session titled “Appleton: Then & Now,” as a culminating experience. Access to digital cameras would enhance student engagement in their study of their community by allowing them to apply their understanding of broad social studies concepts in collecting evidence of community components in their neighborhoods and homes and to synthesize their information in the designing and composing of their tri-fold posters.

The objectives of the project include:
1. Providing every student with the opportunity to use a digital camera to gather images that demonstrate their understanding of key community characteristics.
2. Increasing student awareness of the technical aspects of digital photography.
3. Providing opportunities for parent involvement with student learning through a camera checkout program for families and parent attendance at the student poster session.
4. Expanding the student use of the digital cameras into other content areas.