Creating a Mother’s Day Photo Journal

This is a great project for students who do not like to write. Supply each student with a disposable digital camera and have them photograph things that represent what their mom's mean to them. Photos will be printed out and made into a journal with captions for the pictures.

Each student will need a disposable digital camera. Other materials required will be scrapbook paper, photo mounts or photo safe glue, 3 hole punch, photo safe materials to decorate pages, decorative pens, cardboard, glue, string or twine, and scissors.

Explain the basis of a good photograph to the students. Composition, light source, how to direct the eye to the subject are all topics to discuss prior to the students taking pictures.

When describing what makes a good picture to the students, be sure to have examples of good and bad available for them to view. For example, a photograph where tree branches appear to be coming out of someone’s head, like antlers, is a good example of a poorly composed photo. Another example would be if the sun or light source was shining directly into the camera lens. Examples of good lighting are where the light source is behind the camera or diffused lighting is used.

Next, have the students come up with ideas of what Mother’s Day means to them. There is no right or wrong answer. The object of this lesson is to have the students use their creativity to show in non-written form how important their moms are to them.

Have the students make prints of all of their photos. Choose the 10-12 best ones. Best is a relative term. The photo should be of good quality and composition. However, the subject of the photograph is up to the student. Photos should be arranged in a logical order.

Next give each student 5-6 sheets of scrapbook paper. Students will use both sides of the paper for this project. They are to attach and arrange the photos on the pages. More than one photograph per page can be used in order to reduce the amount of scrapbook paper used. Decorative pens can be used to embellish the pages. Allow for space to punch holes in the scrapbook paper.

Cut 2 pieces of cardboard for each student. Each piece should be slightly larger than the scrapbook paper and both pieces of cardboard should be equal in size to each other. Cover the cardboard with additional scrapbook paper or cloth; be sure to punch 3 holes that will match up with the holes in the scrapbook paper. Students may write a note to their mother on the inside of the front or back cover.

Assemble the journal. Using string, twine or yarn; fold it in half and put one end through the top hole in the front cover and the other end through the bottom hole in the front cover. Bring both ends up through the middle hole in the back cover and up to the front. Tie the ends together and make a decorative knot or bow. Older students can do most of this on their own. Younger children will require some steps to be completed for them.