Using Digital Photography to Promote Powerful Literacy

Students choose a vocabulary word from the current unit of study. Then they photograph something that demonstrates the meaning of the word. For example, one student chose the word parallel and laid two pencils on the floor parallel to each other and photographed them. While he was laying the pencils on the carpet he said, "Hey the lines in the carpet are parallel too!" I knew that he truly comprehended the word parallel. The students print out their pictures and explain to the class why the items they photographed demonstrate the meaning of the word. I have seen this method of learning vocabulary prove successful in all subject areas.