Also see Bygone Civilizations and Evolving Cultures
Kindergarten students learn about choice and unpredictable consequences and create butterflies in mixed media ~ artist Moojan Nazmi ~ PHOTO Kevin Arsenault
Chaos + The Butterfly Effect
Did you know that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas by creating tiny changes in the atmosphere that could accelerate, or even prevent, the tornado? How could we express that through the arts? Try this interdisciplinary STEAM idea using mixed media, story and dance to introduce a new science theory for human resilience. Adaptable to all grades ~ Pria Muzumdar + Moojan Nazmi ~
Artistic Process + Short Film
FLOW
Here we examine the universal presence of flow seen in successful natural and social organizations and chat about how these tree-like structures have core strength, are rooted with organic branches or split patterns that can adapt to environmental conditions. We can compare tree branching to our circulatory system, rivers, etc., and then to other social organization schematics such as families, schools, networks, communities and neighbourhoods. We can create a collaborative social system inspired by how nature ebbs and flows. Artwork is mixed media with colourful illustrations and paint. Conceived and led by visual artists and designers Pria Muzumdar and can include dance with Mariposa In The Schools choreographers Sarina Condello and Bailey Davis ~ Adaptable to all grades.
Global Garden Story Quilt (En/Fr)
Create a narrative quilt of varied world designs in textile, embroidery, sequins, beads, yarn, pencils and markers with Mosa Neshama McNeilly. This is a very special one day per class art project on cultural understandings, diversity and inclusion. Students map connections among each other by researching their personal histories and finding parallels. Each child shares a treasured object from home and features a portrait of the object as an encoded symbol in the quilt. Through stitching and knotting students describe routes between their quilt squares. Reflection focuses on individual and group discovery of the ecology of cultural diversity, mirroring the web of biodiversity in our ecosystem, while highlighting equity as critical to wellness. Ideal as a graduating legacy gift. Adaptable to all grades.
A Growth Mindset
Happy students learn better, deeper and quicker. It’s the most powerful way to create sustainable resilience and responsibility. Based on the theory that we all have these remarkable elastic brains, students are encouraged to research a notion, understanding or theory beyond their current skill set or self-expectation and map it in a most exciting way. Equipped with the belief that mistakes are essential to learning, student tackle a complex notion through an infographic, narrative installation, sculpture or new media art piece. This is a have fun collaborative project of self-awareness and cognitive stretching! Adaptable to all grades ~ Pria Muzumdar + Allycia Uccello
Artistic Process + Short Film
Humanity – How our virtues keep us well
Wellbeing is a scientific name for happiness. Each positive character trait is a strength reflected in attitudes and behaviours and so helps to instill wellbeing. Artists, educators and students collaborate on a visual art, mixed or new media or sculpture project as expression of their personal and group understandings of the TDSB character traits or virtues – PERSEVERANCE, KINDNESS, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, FAIRNESS, TEAMWORK, HONESTY AND RESPONSIBILITY. One can throw in LOYALTY for good measure!!! Or how about LOVE OF LEARNING and TRANSCENDENCE. There is no end to what kind of positive psychology vocabulary we can build and incorporate as our own. Adaptable to all grades ~ Sandra Iskandar, Pria Muzumdar, Mark Stoddart + Allycia Uccello ~ Short Film
Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of North America were given the great gift of human understanding in Seven Teachings of the Sacred Grandfathers, oral traditions that form the foundation of their spirituality. Each teaching is represented by an animal and honours one of the basic virtues to a full and healthy life. This program brings Mariposa In The Schools Ojibwa storytelling Esther Osche into the classroom with visual artist and sculptor Charmaine Lurch from Inner City Angels. Young students learn about balance and harmony through these remarkable tales and practice a visual interpretation of each. Ideal for grades 3 to 6 ~ Esther Osche (in collaboration with Mariposa In The Schools) + Charmaine Lurch ~
Artistic Process + Short Film