Task Description: As a first step, the teacher will quiz the students about Aboriginal art. This will be followed by an introduction to Frank Polson, an Algonquin artist from the Témiscamingue Winneway community. Next, the teacher will present a list of Aboriginal artists and artisans (singers, actors, painters, sculptors) and the students will be asked to conduct a team research project on one of the artists. Finally, they will form subgroups and take turns discussing their findings.

ABORIGINAL ARTISTS /Exploring artistic expression in First Peoples cultures

Level: Secondary 5

Pedagogical Intent: The activity is aimed at exploring the artistic expres-sions of Canada’s First Peoples through research work.

Teaching Strategies:Collaborative learning Short version of the learning activity The students research the subject and write a text respecting the various aspects to be covered. (Teacher’s requirements)Long version of the learning activity The students research the subject and write a text respecting the various aspects to be covered. (Teacher’s requirements) They form subgroups and take turns discussing their findings.

Cultural References: Aboriginal artists

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Activity Evaluation sheetSchool : _________________________________________________________________________Title of activity : ____________________________________________________Number of students: ___________________________________________________________

Please give your appreciation using the following scale:

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Activity appropriate to the age group 4 3 2 1Clarity of explanations 4 3 2 1Activity content 4 3 2 1Prescribed time vs. actual time 4 3 2 1Ease of use 4 3 2 1General appreciation (teacher) 4 3 2 1Students’ appreciation (in your opinion) 4 3 2 1Level of interest to redo this activity in the future

4 3 2 1

Relevancy of activity in relation to the pedagogical intent 4 3 2 1

What went well:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Problem(s) met, if any:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Suggestions or recommendations to improve the activity:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Suggestions or recommendations to improve the Gabriel-Commanda Educational Kit:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your participation in this project!

To print: USB key / Evaluation sheetseco

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITY PLANNING Level: Secondary 5

Lesson planningABORIGINAL ARTISTSTime: 15 minutes

Material:- Interactive board

Conduct

Ask the students if they know any Aboriginal artists (actor, musician, painter, sculptor).

Next, show them a painting by Frank Polson on the interactive board. Ask them what they see in this artwork (See PowerPoint, slide 2)

Give them a good number of facts about the artist and show them his photo (See PowerPoint, slide 3)

Frank Polson is an Algonquin painter and sculptor from the Long Point First Nation in Winneway, Témiscamingue. For the past 17 years, he has devoted his time to developing a style that is contemporary yet also respects his Aboriginal tradition. His paintings represent memories of days and nights spent with his father on traplines under spectacular sunsets. Frank Polson’s “Woodland” style acrylic works are colourful and dynamic. His artwork has been sold worldwide and exhibited in many Canadian and European galleries.

Achievement of learning outcomesABORIGINAL ARTISTSTime: 45 minutes

Material:- Computer- Internet connexion - Pencil- Paper- Interactive board

Conduct

1. Tell the students that they will form teams to do research work. Ask them to choose a personality from your list. (See PowerPoint, slide 4)

2. Once they have selected an artist, tell them about the research criteria. They will be required to present their work in discussion subgroups.

• Artist’s name • Artist’s picture •Photosoftheartists’artworksortitlesofsongs/films/books • Short biography • From what nation does the artist come from? • What does the artist tell us about his culture? • What does the artist tell us about the history of the First Peoples? • What is the artist’s contribution through his/her artwork?

3. Give the students time to conduct an Internet search and organise the information.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY PLANNING Level: Secondary 5

Reflective sharing and integration of learningABORIGINAL ARTISTS Time: 20 minutes

Material:- Paper- Pencils

Conduct

Invitethestudentstodiscusstheirresearchfindingsinthreesubgroups.

Each team takes turn in shortly explaining the interesting aspects of their research to the other group members while showing the artist’s photo and work. Rotate the teams every 5 minutes.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY PLANNING Level: Secondary 5