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Viewfinder: same view, different picture

Make a PLA viewfinder: a frame with an 8 × 6 cm window and two interchangeable masks. Use it to look at the same classroom view in landscape, portrait, square and a narrow sliding portrait frame. Trace two chosen frames on paper, sketch them, mark the focal point and visually heavier side, predict the effect of narrowing from the left, and test it with a mask.

Age
11–13 years
Length
approx. 45 min
Level
Easy
Where you teach
School
Purpose
Educational
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. Frame with an 8 × 6 cm window
  2. Two masks and end of pen work
  3. Same view: landscape and portrait
  4. Masks: choose frames A and B
  5. Trace frames on paper
  6. Sketches: where is the focal point?
  7. Predict and test

What gets built

After the lesson, pupils understand that a picture involves a choice: the same view framed differently creates a different composition. They can choose the format (landscape, portrait or square) and frame position to suit what they want to show. They explain that framing changes the focal point and balance by deciding what is in the picture, how much space it occupies and where it lies: centrally, near an edge or cut off by an edge.

What it practises
  • framing a view and choosing a picture format: landscape, portrait or square; identifying the focal point and compositional balance
  • a compositional sketch from observation within a chosen outline
  • predicting the effect of a framing change and testing it with the model
  • following a 1:1 template with a straight 3D pen strand

Success criteria
  • Pupils show on their own sketches how the focal point (D) or visually heavier side changed between frames A and B of the same view.
  • Pupils explain the change through framing: what entered or left, occupied more space or moved nearer the centre or edge.
  • The prediction on sketch A (a line 2 cm from the left edge) is tested with a mask, and pupils say whether it matched.
  • Pupils say what the viewfinder does not change: objects, light and viewpoint.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
navy blue (dark, saturated)
Also
EDUstick 2.0 3D pen with stand: 1 per pupil, Transparent work mat: 1 per pupil, W1 template (A4 printout at 100 %): 1 per pupil, A4 paper: 1 sheet per pupil, Pencil: 1 per pupil, Ruler: 1 per pupil or pair

Files

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Version cfad693c-f9a5-4636-aff5-3955bfaf7503 Updated 2026-10-13

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