Explorer third grade teachers and students teamed up with Outside the Lens, a local community arts organization, and the Tunahaki Foundation orphanage in Tanzania for a year-long study of photography and culture. Projects integrated science, literacy, social studies, and art, using photography as a catalyst for written and verbal expression. Outside the Lens photographers taught in Explorer classrooms once a week, and Explorer teachers extended the study through projects, discussions, and field trips. Students exchanged letters, poetry, and photography with children from Tanzania. Explorer students exhibited portfolios of photography and writing for parents, students and community members.

Here I Am. Students reflected on family memories to create stories about their lives.

Picture a Story. After studying legends from different cultures, students used photojournalism techniques to create their own legend about an animal from the San Diego Zoo.

Picture My Planet. Students studied famous nature photographers, explored nature in San Diego, captured it on film, and wrote haiku poems inspired by their photographs.

Picture Me, Picture You. Students shared letters, poetry and photography with children from the Tunahaki Foundation orphanage in Tanzania.

Picture Me, Picture You. Tanzanian children respond to letters and photography from Explorer Elementary students.

Pieces of Me. Students explored the idea of identity through writing and by photographing the “best part” of themselves.

Pieces of Me. Exhibition at Explorer Elementary.