Judge the Better or the Best Picture: Landform Region
Purpose:
To apply prior knowledge of landform regions.
To help students establish criteria to determine what image best represents a landform region.
To practice reading visuals to support literacy.
Bridging:
Teach about what makes a quality photograph.
Insure a knowledge of criteria building and criteria-based decision making.
Instructions:
1. Engage the Learner
a. Explain to students that Canadian Geographic needs our help for the next issue of their magazine.
They intend to have a photo essay depicting the diversity of Canada’s landform regions.
2. Identify the Criteria
a. Using a photograph from a newspaper lead a class discussion to determine what makes an effective
photograph. Establish a set of criteria such as:
i. Clarity
ii. Accurate in what is depicted
iii. Relevant
b. Ask the class, “With the criteria we just set, is this a good picture? How could it be made better?”
3. Begin the Task
a. Lead the class through a quick review of Canada’s landform regions, identifying key visual
characteristics. (ie. “When you think about the Western Cordillera what visual images come to mind”)
b. Place the students in groups and give students the task of using the set criteria to determine the best
(1) photograph for each of Canada’s landform regions. Provide students with a set of photographs
(from magazines, calendars, postcards, etc). Ideally each set of photographs will have at least 3 or 4
photographs representing each landform region.
c. Teacher supports groups as they work to apply the criteria to the photographs. Can ask supporting
questions such as:
- Why do you think this picture represents the Western Cordillera?
- Could that picture represent a different landform region?
- Does that picture represent something unique in the region?
- Why not that photograph?
d. Students display their choices. Provide an opportunity for students to challenge and defend how
they used the criteria to select photographs.
Tool Enrichment Supplement
A) Students can choose their own photos to:
a. Make a calendar of landform regions
b. Select an iconic photograph for your community
B) Differentiate process based on interest:
a. Pictures can be group based on:
i. Farming in different regions in Canada
ii. Economic activities in different regions in Canada
iii. Tourist activities in different regions in Canada