High School
Student Assignment
Wichita Photo Archives

a. Selecting a Topic

Suggested Methods:

• Review the “Subject Categories” on the Search Page of the Wichita Photo Archives Web site for subjects of interest. 

• Submit keywords on the Search Page to test the availability of photographs for a subject of interest.

• Browse time periods on the Search Page to look for subjects of interest.

Example: Use keyword students and browse the array. Determine a topic such as: “Student life in the early- and mid-20^th century.”

b. Selecting Photographs
Further practice in observation and analysis

Select three or more photographs to illustrate your topic.

Example: Photographs shown here are two options for the topic above (“Student life in the early- and mid-20^th century”).

1900

1952

c. Researching the Topic

Develop the theme of your topic by researching any of the print, online, and field trip resources. 

Click these links to read/print these resource lists: Wichita History in Print | Wichita History Online | Wichita History in Real Life

d. Writing the Labels

You will write four types of labels for your exhibit.

1.   Title of exhibit: The primary label conveys some aspect of the theme of the exhibit; a brief headliner statement, question, or exclamation.

2.   Subtitle(s): The secondary label further defines the theme.  More than one subtitle may be necessary to help the viewer group the various elements of the display.

3.   Interpretive Text: Explanatory text is based on the research.  It narrates the theme, interprets the information in a social context, and draws a conclusion.  The text may be organized on one or more labels, interspersed with the photographs and headed by the subtitles.

4.   Photograph Caption with Credit: Captions accompany photographs or illustrations.  Include the following information as found in the metadata: Title, Creator, Date, and Repository.

Hint: If the given title is not quite relevant to the theme of the exhibit, create and substitute a new title using information found in the metadata description.

Metadata

Title/Object Name: Roosevelt Intermediate School
Creator: Unknown
Date Original: Circa 1952
Physical Details: 3.5 x 3 inches
Description: Classroom scene, Roosevelt Intermediate School, 2201 East Douglas Avenue. The student standing in front of the class is gesturing toward a large display entitled “World Wide Pen Pals.”
Keywords: Education, people, junior high, children, Wichita.
Subject: Wichita (Kan.) -- Pictorial works
Type: Photographic Contact Print
Collection Name:
Repository: Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
Date Digital: 2003
Identifier: wschm_H9-9.2.12

Photo Caption with Credit

Students listening to a presentation,
Roosevelt Intermediate School.
Circa 1952

From the collection of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

Content

1. Photographs must be selected to illustrate the theme.

2. Text:  Explains the theme and evidence supports the conclusion.

• Contains correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

• Follows style guidelines.  Specifically, avoid the passive voice.

No: “Communication was improved by the railroad.”
Yes: “The railroad improved communication.”

Hint: Helpful information is found in the following guidelines excerpted from “How an Entry is Judged” on the National History Day Contest website:  http://nationalhistoryday.org/02_contest/02.html

• Is the entry historically accurate?

• Does the entry provide analysis and interpretation of the historical data in addition to an accurate description? The entry should not simply recount facts but interpret them.

• Does the entry demonstrate an understanding of the historical context, i.e., the intellectual, physical, social, and cultural setting?

• Does the entry reflect historical perspective such as the causes and consequences of an event, for example, or the relationship of a local topic to larger events?

Format

1.  Placement of components:

Provides visual continuity.  Should have left-to-right or top-to-bottom-with-branches orientation that helps the story “flow.”  Do not overcrowd; separate the individual components with lots of “white space.”  Avoid placing items on angles except for occasional accent.

2.  Typeface:

• Select fonts that are appropriate to content and size of exhibit.  Limit the number of fonts to avoid chaotic appearance.               

• Select point sizes that are easily readable at the following distances:

Title: 20 feet
Subtitles: 10 feet
Text and Photo Caption: 4-6 feet

• Use special effects such as boldface, underline, italics, and WordArt sparingly for best dramatic effect. 

3.  Design Elements:

• Beware of “paint box syndrome” and choose a simple color scheme.  Integrate the colors or tones of the photographs in the design.  Use a few bold accents of color, shape, or texture to enhance a moderate, overall design.  White helps colors stand out.  Strong black with white provides drama.

Hint: Helpful information is found in these guidelines excerpted from “Clarity of Presentation” on the National History Day Contest website:  http://nationalhistoryday.org/02_contest/02.html

• Is the entry effective in communicating the significance of the topic?

• Are the title, sectional divisions, and main points easy to discern?

• Are photographs and images appropriate in terms of content and location?

• Is the overall project pleasing to the eye?

f. Presenting the Exhibit

Give an oral presentation of your exhibit. Explain what you learned about Wichita history and point out important features on your exhibit board.