3. The Rule of Thirds in Photography

Author:

Maxim Bulanov

For the lesson series:
Can a single photograph capture the multidimensional essence of STEM in our school?
This question challenges students to consider the complexity of STEM and whether a single image can effectively encapsulate the various dimensions of these subjects within their school.

For this lesson:
How does the rule of thirds help us express and capture the multidimensional essence of STEM in our school?

Grade Level

5th - 6th

Subjects

Arts/Visual Arts/Material Arts

Duration

70 minutes

Mode

Face-to-Face

Learning Objectives

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the rule of thirds in photography by accurately identifying and analyzing its application in at least five different photographs.
Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the rule of thirds in photography through active engagement with visual examples and practical application.

Instructional Rationale

How will you access students’ prior knowledge and incorporate that into the lesson?

This lesson is designed to tap into students’ prior knowledge and incorporate it into the learning process by allowing them to share photos they find appealing. By showcasing their own photographs in a PowerPoint presentation, students can actively engage with the content and draw upon their subjective experiences.

How does the lesson support student learning of the content in a meaningful way?

The lesson supports student learning in a meaningful way by fostering the development of aesthetics and critical thinking skills. By exploring the rule of thirds in photography, students can cultivate an understanding of composition and apply it to various aspects of their lives, such as creating well-organized posters or infographics.

How are you integrating UDL (multiple means of engagement, representation, and action & expression) into your lesson?

To address the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the lesson integrates multiple means of engagement, representation, and action & expression. Visual explanations of the rule of thirds, supported by digital slides and handouts with examples, cater to different learning styles. Also, students can work with physical grid models and digital apps to apply the rule of thirds to their photos. By presenting their sorting or written tables, students can express their understanding and demonstrate their learning outcomes.

What evidence do you have that you are connecting teaching to the CRP tenets (academic success, cultural competence and critical consciousness)?

The lesson connects teaching to the tenets of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP) through various elements. Students are encouraged to search for photographs in internet databases, allowing for cultural representation in the curriculum materials and resources. Peer collaboration and group work practices foster cultural competence. Furthermore, the integration of technology and digital tools in the lesson enhances student engagement and aligns with the ever-evolving digital landscape of the 21st century.

How are you using technology to enhance and enrich the lesson?

Technology is utilized to enhance and enrich the lesson through various means. The creation of slides, use of photo-apps, and search engines allow for visual representations and exploration of the rule of thirds. Also, incorporating technology enables students to participate in activities like voting for the most appealing photo, and promoting active engagement and interaction.

Assessments

Formative assessment:

1. Class discussions: Students actively participate in discussions, share their observations, and provide thoughtful analysis of how the rule of thirds is applied in photographs.
2. Observation and feedback: Teacher observation of students’ engagement, understanding, and application of the rule of thirds during class activities. Providing constructive feedback to support further growth and understanding.

The purpose of class discussion is to observe students’ understanding of the rule of thirds and the level of their engagement in the discussion.
Observation and feedback are to observe the way students apply the rule of thirds and their ability to recognize the rule of thirds in daily life.

Materials & Resources

Rulers
Pens, pencils, or sharpies
Slides with examples, highlighting diverse cultures
Slides for students to upload their photos
Laptops with a Photo editing app and search engine.
Samples of tracing paper
Printed photos representing diverse cultural backgrounds
Printed observation tables
Assessment Rubric

Procedures & Implementation

Introduction (10 min)

Engage students by providing magazines with visually captivating photographs, so students can choose one or two photos to cut from the magazine (optional: scan and add to the PowerPoint slide) and discuss what makes them visually appealing.
Next step might be to ask the students to search the internet for more examples of appealing photographs or to provide their own personal photos. Invite students to share in small groups. This will allow students to engage more and share their perspectives.
Introduce the concept of the rule of thirds as a compositional technique and explain its significance in photography. Show the slides about the rule and provide printed examples of the rule application.

Student Handouts:

The rule of thirds examples and practice

Additional question: Where do you see the rule of thirds in real life outside of photography?

Drawing the Grid (20 min)

Distribute tracing paper and instruct students to draw a grid on it, dividing it into nine equal sections using straight lines.
Explain how this grid represents the rule of thirds and its application in photography composition.
Encourage students to pay attention to the intersections of the grid lines.

Student Handouts:

The rule of thirds examples and practice.pdf

Applying the Grid (30 min)

Provide printed versions of various photographs for each student or for small groups.
Instruct students to overlay their grid on the photographs and analyze the composition. Use the data table template to write down the observations.
Facilitate a discussion where students share their observations on how the subjects are positioned in relation to the grid lines and intersections. Students can demonstrate the results of their learning by presenting their sorting or the written tables.
Encourage critical thinking by asking students to identify different composition techniques employed in the photographs.

Student Handouts:

Conclusion and Reflection (10 min)

Summarize the key learnings from the lesson, emphasizing the importance of the rules of thirds in photography composition.
Provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their understanding of the principles of photography and how they can apply them in their future projects.

Standards & Indicators

From the Indiana Academic Standards Science: Grade 5

PS1.A: Structure and properties of matter.
5-PS2-1: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions.

References

Broz, M. (2023, April 18). Rule of Thirds: What is it and how to break it? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://photutorial.com/rule-of-thirds/
Composition: Rule of Thirds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzx1kZUb5SM
De Brabandere, S. Compelling Compositions: Rule of Thirds & Golden Mean. Science Buddies. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/compelling-compositions-do-masters-follow-rules
How to Use the Rule of Thirds in Your Photos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bvfqwq22jI
Understanding the Rule of Thirds | Adobe Design Principles Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v3wt__ZHWQ

Trajectory

Acknowledged

Engages in discussions and activities around representative diversity and individual differences without grappling with structural oppressions. Culture is externalized and the focus is on the abstract. Minor discomfort may be felt and tensions are largely avoided.

Throughlines

Empowering Families and Communities

Families and community members are key stakeholders in determining the ways materials and resources are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all students.

Standards

Social Justice

Identity 4 - Students will express pride, confidence and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people.

Diversity 8 - Students will respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and will exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way.

ISTE NETS

Knowledge Constructor 3c - Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.

Global Collaborator 7c - Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.

3. The Rule of Thirds in Photography

Learning Objectives

Instructional Rationale

Assessments

Materials & Resources

Procedures & Implementation

Introduction (10 min)

Drawing the Grid (20 min)

Applying the Grid (30 min)

Conclusion and Reflection (10 min)

Standards & Indicators

References

Trajectory

Acknowledged

Throughlines

Empowering Families and Communities

Standards

Social Justice

ISTE NETS

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