A fun way in might be to make different sized window frames with pupils in your class, painting and decorating them in bright colours. Maybe after trying this activity, you’ll develop a whole collection of ‘window frames’ that you’ll be able to use in your lessons across the year. Many teachers go on to make smaller 'windows’ to use with picture books to help pupils focus on the details in an illustration.
Activity
- Provide a selection of ‘window frames’ either cardboard, old picture frames, photo frames etc.
- Encourage the children to hold their frame in different positions focusing on different parts of the room. What do you notice or observe through your window? Can you find specific things through your window? E.g. something very small, something blue, something man made, something that is part of the natural world, a letter, a number.
- Provide children with cameras or drawing materials and ask them to record their favourite view through their win dow – what do they like about it? You could also use natural materials to create scenes within your windows or take photographs.
- Do you have any questions about what you see?
- Does it remind you of anything else?
- What was the most interesting thing you noticed?
Reflection
- Do children display any dominant patterns/themes?
- E.g. did they focus on faces/feet, or on tiny details/patterns?
Go Further
Introduce the wordless book Windows by Jeannie Baker and explore how the view outside our windows changes over time. Use time-lapse photography through a window to explore how the environment changes and our impact.
Inquisitive: Wondering & Questioning
This supports students to think of different kinds of questions, provokes curiosity about a topic and starts to develop deeper discussions.
