Teaching Strategy
Help students interpret an image by “framing” smaller portions of the image and analyzing them.
Published:
At a Glance
Teaching Strategy
Language
English — US
Subject
- English & Language Arts
- History
- Social Studies
Grade
6–12
Overview
What Is the Crop It Strategy?
In a Crop It activity, students use cropping tools to frame a portion of an image and then discuss their choice with classmates. This strategy requires students to notice, identify, and respond to specific portions of an image before interpreting the image’s overall meaning and impact. It’s an effective way to help students look closely at and analyze images.
Lesson Plans
How to Use the Crop It Strategy
To prepare for this activity, you will need to identify an image that you would like students to analyze and then make a copy of the image for each student. You will also need to create cropping tools for students to use, or have students create them. Each tool consists of two L-shaped strips of paper (cut from the border of a blank sheet of 8 ½ x 11-inch paper). During the activity, students will use the two L-shaped strips to create a rectangle shape, pushing the corners together or pulling them apart to change its size. Each student should have two cropping tools to work with.
To conduct the activity, ask students to look at each image closely. Call out a series of prompts, beginning with some of the suggestions below, and give students time in between to use their cropping tools to frame a portion of the image independently and then discuss their choice with a classmate or small group. Follow these suggestions with prompts of your own specific to the topic of the lesson or unit:
- Identify the part of the image that first caught your eye.
- Identify a part of the image that shows what this image is about.
- Identify a part of the image that shows a tension, problem, or dilemma.
As you reach the end of the prompts for each image, you might also ask students to write and explain a new title or caption for the image.
Finish the activity by having students reflect in their journals about the process. You can use this prompt or a similar one: How did looking closely at small portions of the image help to deepen your understanding of its meaning and impact?
Example
In this Crop It activity, students framed portions of an illustrationwhile studying the Reconstruction Era.
Credit:
Facing History and Ourselves
You might also be interested in…
Activity
SaveMood Meter
This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.
Activity
SaveOur Names and Our Place in the World
Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.
Activity
SaveEmoji Emotions
Students use emojis to practice sharing what they are feeling while building empathy for their classmates.
Activity
SaveThree Good Things
Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.
Activity
SaveSlow Down with The Slowdown
Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.
Activity
SaveTake a Stand
Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.
Activity
SaveAppreciation, Apology, Aha
Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.
Activity
SaveClosing Challenge
Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.
More Like This Teaching Resources Learning & Events
Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.
Professional Learning
Exploring ELA Text Selection with Julia Torres
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.
Professional Learning
Working for Justice, Equity and Civic Agency in Our Schools: A Conversation with Clint Smith
On-Demand
Virtual
Issues of equity and education have long existed in our country and continue to manifest today. How can writing and the power of one's voice help us respond to these disparities? Listen to writer and educator, Dr. Clint Smith, where we hear his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.
Professional Learning
Centering Student Voices to Build Community and Agency
On-Demand
Virtual
Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life,a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.
More Like This View Upcoming Events View On-Demand Events
Using the strategies from Facing History is almost like an awakening.
— Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif