How to properly bracket with a Nikon D40?

I have a bracketing assignment for a photography (beginners) class.
' 1. You must use the manual exposure mode on your camera
2. A tripod is a must since you might be working with slow shutter speeds, and since the only thing changing should be the exposure and not the composition.
3. Choosing a scene with consistent lighting will render the most accurate results.

Select 2 different scenes and compose an interesting image with consistent lighting using your camera on tripod. Using manual mode take a photo with the MIE, +.3,+.7 and +1 full stop and -.3, -.7 and -1 full stop (7 photos total per scene). For one of the scenes use the aperture to bracket the exposure and for the second scene adjust the shutter speeds. '

I sort of understand this. But "For one of the scenes use the aperture to bracket the exposure and for the second scene adjust the shutter speeds" is not very clear to me.
Do I go to "A" and adjust the exposure, then switch to "M" to take the photo- same with "S"? Or do I always stay in "M"?

You should stay in full manual mode if that is what is required…

for the scene where you need to use varying apertures, leave the shutter speed and iso the same while changing the aperture. You will need to do some playing around to get the ev values needed but it shouldn't be too difficult.also, focus to infinity if your lens has the ability because changing the aperture might change the depth of field.

for the scene where shutter speed changes you do the same thing except change the shutter speed instead of the aperture or f-stop.

i had a d40 a while ago but i can't remember if that camera has an auto bracketing tool you could use… If it does, then your job just got a lot easier.

hope that helped.

' 1. You must use the manual exposure mode on your camera

Yes, you have to stay in M mode.

You meter the scene and then take one picture one stop overexsposed and one stop underexsposed. The whole idea of the assignment is to make sure you know what a full stop is.

Lets say you meter 1/500th, ISO 400, f/8;
you then take a picture at
1/500th, ISO 400, f/11
1/500th, ISO 400, f/5.6

and then

1/1000th, ISO 400, f/8
1/250th, ISO 400, f/8

The camera will need to Stay on M.

First of all find the correct exposure on your light meter then change the aperture setting by holding down the exp comp button (+/-) and rotating the thumbwhee. You will notice as you do this the "F number" will change. Each change take a shot.

Then again find the correct exposure using your light meter and change the shutter speed using just the thumb wheel alone.

ON a side note bracketing works best using the shutter as changing the f number will effect the DOP and the image will look very different.