Critical Literacy of War Imagery

Purpose:To position students to critically

analyze historical and contemporary images of war for their persuasive

intent

Demo lesson #1 - Images

What was it?

When was it?

Where was it?

Who was involved?

How did it conclude?

Battle of Princeton

What was the role that artists played in “nation building” during the American Revolution?

Debriefing Question:

Go to this link:

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwpcam/cwcam1.html

Directions:Read the activity: (1) The Case of Confused Identity

Key Questions: 1) What was the photographer doing to

photographs that was staged? 2) What was the intent of the photographer in

staging the photographs?

Civil War Activity: Does the Camera Ever Lie?

1) What was the photographer doing to photographs that was staged?

2) What was the intent of the photographer in staging the photographs?

3) What role did photographers play in nation-building during the Civil War?

Debriefing Questions

What is happening in this image?What is the photographers’ intent?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/wDeashington/27coffins.html

In three sentences, explain what this article was about.

Read this article:“Defense Chief Lifts Ban on Pictures of Coffins”

What role do photographers play in nation-building during our current wars?

Iraq/Afghanistan Debriefing Question:

Find 4 photographs taken from contemporary American war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Write a paragraph for each photograph that answers these questions: 1) “What was the intent of the photographer

with taking this image?” 2) “Do you agree with the photographer’s

perspective with this image? Explain.”

Project Assignment

Construction of Knowledge – construct new knowledge to solve problems

Disciplined Inquiry – investigative exploration that led to elaborate conversation

Value Beyond School – academic knowledge that can be practically used in life

How does this lesson rank?