Top tips: Zoom In, Zoom Out activities
Our popular Zoom In, Zoom Out activities are sure to engage your class! Read our tips on how to get the most from this visually engaging activity.
Zoom In, Zoom Out activities consist of a series of linked images that start close up and pull back until the whole image is revealed. They're often familiar objects that children are likely to have seen before (although not at this level of zoom!) but sometimes they are completely unfamiliar objects and children have to call on all of their real-world learning to work out what it might be. Encourage your pupils to think carefully about each image at each stage before the final image is revealed. Try and discourage them from shouting out random guesses, as tempting as it is!
How to run Zoom In Zoom Out activities
1. Explain to the class they will be zooming in and out of some images – going in close and stepping back slowly. Let them know that the activity isn't about random guesses and you'll be asking them to think carefully about each image before you move on to the next step.
2. Open the classroom view and show the first image up on the screen. Ask the class what they notice about the image? Does it remind them of anything they've seen before? What might it be and why?
3. Tell the class you're going to zoom out on the image. Explain that it means they will be able to see more of the object, but less of the detail, because it's not as close-up.
4. Show the next image. Ask them to describe:
- colours
- shapes
- textures
Have they changed their minds about what the image is? What do they think the image is now – and why? Keep zooming out, asking questions at each image.
5. Did they work out what they were looking at? What gave them a clue? Zoom back to the image when they figured it out. How did they know? It can be illuminating for the children to write what they think the object is on a sticky note or piece of paper after each image. They might be surprised how much their opinions changed. You could use this in a floor book or a working wall to track progress.
Discuss how much the class knows about the object that has been revealed. Did they notice anything about the object today that they had never seen before? Why?
Image credits:
Frame 1-2 by Hans Braxmeier via Pixabay, CC0
Frame 3-6 by Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay, CC0
Frame 7 by Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay, CC0
Thumbnail: Soap Bubble by Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay, CC0