Analyzing photographs using Magic Eye

This activity will use a "Magic Eye" to help students analyze photographs of people. A Magic Eye is a half-sheet of construction paper or card stock that has a hole about 2 1/2 inches in diameter cut from the center. By using the Magic Eye, students will have an opportunity to more carefully examine photographs by focusing on smaller sections of an image.

Adapted by Pauline S. Johnson

Adapted from the National Archives and Records Administration Photo Analysis Sheet.

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Tobacco bag stringing: Elementary activity two

This activity for grades 3–6 will teach students how examining photographs can help them to better understand the past. This activity can be used as an introduction to looking at primary source photographs.

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• Ecuador: A study of population: In this lesson, students will create population pyramid graphs and analyze photographs to investigate population in Ecuador. Students will draw on this analysis to make predictions about how population issues will affect Ecuador's future. The lesson plan is designed to be adapted to the study of various countries.

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• Learn more about photographs.

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A Magic Eye is a half sheet of construction paper or card stock that has a hole about 2 1/2 inches in diameter cut from the center. The Magic Eye will help you analyze photographs of people in different times and places.

Follow the directions to better understand the photograph.

1. First, look carefully at the photograph for one minute. Now, pick up the Magic Eye and look through it at each part of the photograph. You should see things that you did not notice the first time.
2. Fill in the chart about your photograph.
   

   People	Things	Activities

3. Now, think about your photograph. What does it tell you about the way these people lived?
4. What questions about these people would you like to ask?