Writing About Photographs: Responding to the Art of Dorothea Lange

K–12 Resource: Writing

Discover the story in a photograph of children, and then write your own story about it

Title

Pledge of Allegiance, Raphael Weill Elementary School, San Francisco

Artist/Maker

Dorothea Lange (American, 1895 - 1965)

Date

negative April 20, 1942; print about 1960s

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 34 × 25.6 cm (13 3/8 × 10 1/16 in.) Sheet: 35.2 × 27.9 cm (13 7/8 × 11 in.) Mat: 71 × 55.9 cm (27 15/16 × 22 in.)

Place

San Francisco, California, United States

Object Type

Print Photograph

Credit Line

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2000.50.16

About

Learning Objectives

In this activity, you will:

  • describe a photograph by Dorothea Lange
  • write a story inspired by what you discovered about the photograph

Time

  • 30 – 60 mins

Materials Needed

  • Paper
  • Pencils

Assignment

Be a Photo Detective

Look closely at the photograph by Dorothea Lange for at least 2 minutes. Let your eyes wander all around the image. Then answer the following questions.

  • What do you see, think, and feel when you look at the photograph?
  • How would you describe the setting in the photograph?
  • How would you describe the facial expressions of the people?
  • How would you describe the body language of the people?
  • What do you think the people might be thinking?
  • What do you think the photograph is about? Why?
  • What response do you think Lange wanted you to have when you looked at this picture?

Write a Story About the Photograph

Step 1: List What You See

Make a list of everything you notice in the photograph using nouns (people, places, things) and adjectives (describing words). For example: “tired girl” or “worn jacket.”

Step 2: Ask Questions

Write down questions you have about the photograph. What questions would you ask Dorothea Lange if you could meet her? You might wonder about:

  • Who are these people?
  • Where are they?
  • What are they doing?

Step 3: Share Your Reaction

Write your responses to the following questions.

  • What is the mood or message of the photograph?
  • Do you like it or not? Why?
  • What might be the theme? (Examples: hardship, patriotism, school, daily life, family, hope)
Optional Activity

Learn more about this photograph by reading Explore Pledge of Allegiance, Raphael Weill Elementary School, San Francisco.

Step 4: Create Your Story

Now write a story about the photograph! It should be about 1–2 paragraphs. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Imagine you are one of the people in the photo. Write from that person’s point of view. What are you feeling? What happened that day?

  • Describe what you see happening in the photograph. Who are the people? Where are they? What are they doing?

  • Tell the whole story. What might have happened just before this photo was taken? What might happen next?

Related Materials

  1. Meet Dorothea Lange

    Reading

    A black-and-white photograph of a mother looking into the distance, head poised on chin, as two children lean into her, backs to the camera.

    (Grade 3–5 version) Learn about the photographer who took powerful pictures of Americans living through one of the hardest times in United States history

  2. Explore Pledge of Allegiance, Raphael Weill Elementary School, San Francisco

    Close Looking

    (Grade 3–5 version) Read to learn more about Dorothea Lange’s photograph of children in San Francisco, California taken in 1942

  3. Picture Timeline: Dorothea Lange

    Reading

    Photograph of a woman holding a camera sitting on top of a car.

    Read about American photographer Dorothea Lange, then make a timeline to show key moments in her life

  4. Explore Dust Bowl Refugees Reach a “Promised Land”—California

    Close Looking

    Read about a photograph of farmers leaving their home to find a new life in California in the 1930s

  5. Explore Human Erosion in California (Migrant Mother)

    Close Looking

    A black-and-white photograph of a mother looking into the distance, head poised on chin, as two children lean into her, backs to the camera.

    (Grade 3–5 version) Read to learn more about Dorothea Lange’s famous photograph

Extensions

  • Read your story out loud to a classmate, family member, or friend.
  • Illustrate the story. Consider showing details not pictured in the photograph, such as what might have happened before or after.

Related Standards

Credits and Licensing

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