Max and Felix are frogs of many talents. But Felix, a photographer, has trouble capturing that "perfect" picture. Can you relate? Here's a classroom writing activity that's good any time of year, though it's especially good at the beginning as an ice-breaker.

Materials:

Disposable Cameras (1 for each child or 1 per "team")

Construction Paper (for album)

What you do:

A) Have your students photograph various class activities. Compile these into a class album with each photo captioned by the student(s) who took the pictures. Think about doing this as a parents' night activity.

B) Use cameras with teams during the first week of school as an ice-breaker. Part of the photographic assignment should include capturing photos of each member of the team, as well as some of their first school activities. The photos are then developed at an overnight processor. On Monday of the 2nd week of school, the students compile their albums. Captions should include general information: who, what, when, where, and why. Also, they should reveal something interesting, unusual, or unique about each team member. By Wednesday, each team should be ready to "introduce" fellow team members to the rest of the class.