Lenses•lenses are ways of seeing the world•in the arts they are referred to as perspectives•in English they are referred to as points of view

Lenses - continued

•They are extensively used by •the media•business•the entertainment industry•and even government

•to manipulate our way of thinking

Consider these versions of the same picture.   

•Which one makes you feel most comfortable? Why?•Which one makes you feel least comfortable? Why?

Lenses - continued

•to understand point of view, think of the lenses on a camera

some make things clearer, others give close-ups, some give wide angles etc. 

Lenses - continued

•the types of lenses through which you look affect your view of the world•in reality we filter things through the lenses of our values, beliefs, prejudices, knowledge, experience etc.• • 

Look at this picture.

How would he be viewed through the eyes of

•a child who just received his first skateboard for his birthday?

How would he be viewed through the eyes of

•a local small business owner

How would he be viewed through the eyes of

•an elderly grandmother who lives across the road

How would he be viewed through the eyes of

•his own father

Consider this picture

Identify two opposing perspectives about this photo.

What might make people have those opposing perspectives?

Consider this picture

•Think of the people who would pass this man during the day. •Each of those people will see him through the lens of their own experience, values and beliefs.

How many different perspectives can you think of?

Try it on your own!

 

Step 1: Choose one of the following questions.  1. Should religion be taught in

schools?2. Should students be required to

listen to "O Canada" each morning?

3. Should there be a 50% tax on junk food?

4. Should students be forbidden from having jobs while they are still in school?

 

Step 2: Create a graphic organizer showing opposing sides of the topic. Do not take a side.

Step 3: Find facts, statistics and examples that help support each side.

Yes No

1 – Choose a question2 – Make a comparison

chart3 – Find supporting facts

Should religion be taught in schools?

Should students be required to listen to "O Canada" each morning?

Should there be a 50% tax on junk food?

Should students be forbidden from having jobs while they are still in school?