Arts Alive in the Classroom

by Sherron Burns

Creative thinking – in terms of idea creativity – is not a mystical talent. It is a skill that can be practised and nurtured. – Edward de Bono

Reading Symbols and Big Ideas:
A Big Idea in Arts Education is that the arts are a language of expression that incorporates symbols and metaphor. Thank you to Chris Kent, arts educator at McLurg High School in Wilkie, for designing this great new logo. The symbols for the four arts strands are quite abstract and open to interpretation. What do they mean to you? How might students interpret the symbols? There are some great resources available to support your teaching in this particular area:

• The Teaching Channel – a video of a model lesson for  “Values & Virtues: Symbolism in Art (there are quite a few good resources on this site)
• Jerry Didur’s artwork “Bugattis at Pikes Peak”, on the AsrtSask website addresses symbols and Pop art styles.
• LSKY unit plans:
  •  gr 6 Symbolism (visual art)
  • gr 7 Beat Goes On (music)
  • gr 8 Character Masks (drama)
  • gr 8 Monsters (4 strands)
  • gr 7 Say it Through Dance (dance)
  • gr 9 Show Don’t Tell (drama)
  • gr 9 Change the World (4 strands)
  • gr 9 Problem Solving Portraits (visual)

The LSKY Arts & Learning Committee has spent a lot of time thinking about the big ideas and ways to approach outcomes, assessing the learning for each. You can find the complete work – both video and unit pdf’s – on the online Ministry curriculum site for Teacher Resources. Congratulations to our teacher leaders, your work is recognized by the province and our division: Kali Weber, Chris Kent, Jackie Kroczynski, Sarah Ficko, Kelly Waters, Shannon MacFarlane and Crystal Gilbert.

 LIVE Arts is a free Sask program that brings artists into your classroom via broadcasts. To see the whole schedule and to register your class visit the LIVE Arts website.  Puppeteer, Tamara Unroe is presenting Shadow Play in Unity Nov. 6th & 7th for grades 5 – 8 if you’d like to tune in.

Overview: This session will give students the opportunity to participate in a live broadcast with visual artist/ dumpster diver/ shadow puppeteer Tamara Unroe. They will explore visually and metaphorically the dynamics, of light and shadow. They will build a shadow puppet, and learn to manipulate it in an improv style.
Ask the ARTIST: You can connect with the artist during the broadcast through a virtual classroom, go to: http://connect.edonline.sk.ca/liveartsed/

Lots of exciting teaching and learning going on our classrooms including teacher research into engagement/writing/arts, visiting artist programs and collaborations. If you have an idea, or would like some support, please be in touch.