Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 18/01/2026
Subject: Art and Design
Lesson Topic: develop knowledge of skills and processes relevant to photography
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe camera components and their functions.
  • Explain the exposure triangle and how to balance aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
  • Apply compositional principles (rule of thirds, leading lines, framing) to create effective photographs.
  • Demonstrate proper lighting techniques and white‑balance adjustments.
  • Execute a digital workflow from RAW import to final export and evaluate work against IGCSE criteria.
Materials Needed:
  • Digital SLR or mirrorless camera (or DSLR)
  • Tripod
  • Memory cards
  • Laptop with image‑editing software (e.g., Photoshop or GIMP)
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Printed handouts of exposure triangle and composition rules
  • Reflectors/diffusers for lighting lab
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick showcase of striking photographs that illustrate varied lighting and composition, prompting students to consider what technical choices were made. Recall prior learning about basic camera parts and ask them to predict how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact. Explain that today’s success criteria are to demonstrate control of exposure, apply compositional rules, and produce a correctly edited image ready for the IGCSE portfolio.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students view a gallery of images and note observed differences in exposure and composition. (Check understanding)
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Review camera components, exposure triangle, and compositional principles using the projector.
  3. Hands‑on experiment (15’) – In pairs, students shoot a static subject using three aperture settings, keeping ISO constant, and adjust shutter speed to maintain exposure; record settings.
  4. Composition walk (15’) – Students move around the school grounds, capture images that demonstrate each compositional rule, and later share on the board.
  5. Lighting lab (10’) – Compare natural light at two times of day with a portable flash and diffuser; discuss the effect on mood and colour.
  6. Digital workflow drill (10’) – Import RAW files, rename, apply basic edits, export JPEGs; emphasize backup and metadata.
  7. Reflection & assessment (5’) – Students complete a brief self‑evaluation checklist against IGCSE criteria.
Conclusion:
Summarise how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together and how compositional choices shape visual impact. Students submit an exit ticket naming one technique they will use in their upcoming portfolio piece. For homework, they create a mood board and a shot list for a themed photographic series to be developed next week.