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Pass the Picture

Context for this Strategy

Number of Players: 
4+
Space: 
Limited Space
Materials: 

Print outs of 4-6 compelling images or graphs showing different (and even conflicting views) on a single topic or theme. It may be helpful to choose images with repeating colors, symbols, or themes.

Age Group: 
Upper Elementary/Primary
Middle School/Secondary
High School/Secondary
What is it and Why Use It?: 

Pass the Picture helps students engage in close observations of visual texts to form conclusions and reconcile multiple viewpoints. This is a great strategy to promote empathy, critical thinking, and questioning because it examines a single issue or concept from multiple vantage points asking students to think through an issue from many different angles. 

Directions: 

Get into groups of 4-6 and identify an elbow partner to work with. Each pair should select 1 image from the print outs they want to start with. They will share a single image and have 1-2 minutes to discuss their observations using a format we call DAR-Describe, Analyze, Relate. After pairs have had time to discuss the first image the instructor says “Pass the picture”  alerting students to pass the image to the next pair clockwise and receive a fresh image. Once every pair has examined each image individually the small group (of 4-6) lays images out in the center of the circle look at the collection and discuss how they relate to one another.

Reflection: 
  • What unites all of these images? Are there issues or themes they are exploring? 
  • What is each artist’s perspective? How do you know?
  • What stories are being told? Which perspectives are being left out? 
  • What other information would you like to know?
Possible Side-Coaching: 

If students make assumptions about images ask them to cite the visual supporting evidence to back up their claims.

Possible Variations/Applications: 
  • Social Studies: Examine how different stakeholders viewed historical events differently by providing images showing multiple sides of events and conflicts
  • Literacy: Preview images from a text, or assemble images that ask students to find themes relevant to an upcoming unit
  • Math: Look at charts and graphs that may be misleading to think through how we might critically look at information we are given
Source Citations: 

Austin Independent School District. (n.d.). Creative learning initiative: Visual art module. www.austinisd.org/cli