“Susan Degres is best known for her pioneering technique of capturing the movement of water by immersing photographic paper directly into rivers or shorelines. Recently she has begun working in the studio combining analog and digital techniques to create new forms and perspectives hitherto impossible to capture. Her practice reflects the work of the earliest pioneers of photography but is also contemporary in its experimentation and awareness of both conceptual and environmental issues.” more info here…
I really like the experimental aspect of photo grams. The focus of this lesson is more experimental and less on product. The students are introduced to the light sensitive paper and instructed to find objects for shadow making. The exposed paper will mimic water and turn blue and objects will create white. For the smaller students who will struggle with abstract concepts I can still use the water theme; I would include the idea that we are looking into an aquarium. We would make small flat fish out of play doh to use in the tanks.
A side note, I think speed would be an issue with small children since the composition takes time and the paper is sensitive. I had Linna set up the whole composition on top of the clear plastic in the sunny spot. Then I slid the paper under the clear plastic to expose it. This way the 3-D composition stays put.
I loved your idea of creating fish tanks! I borrowed it for my stencil fish and was inspired to go out and find plants to be at the bottom of his tank. I think most people associate the color blue with water or the sky. It could be interesting to expand the prompt to allow for students to create an underwater world or a sky high city. You could have two groups in the classroom brainstorming what types of things they would find in each place and what types of materials they can use.