FINE ARTS COUNCIL
of the Alberta Teachers' Association
PD & RESOURCES
CLASSROOM RESOURCES.
Check back here for resources developed and shared by your Fine Arts Council.
Ensemble Building in the Drama Classroom
by Drama Rep, Molly Danko (March.2024)
A few weeks ago, I got to venture down to Calgary to present at the Calgary City Teachers’ Convention! I had the absolute joy of playing with a group of 25 Drama teachers from around the city. It warmed my heart and inspired me to see what incredible teachers their students get to learn from, and to hear everyone sharing ideas and activities that work in their classes. My session was ‘Ensemble Building in the Drama Classroom’- a crucial part of any Drama class. So, whether you have just begun a new term, or you are in need of some ensemble exercises, here are some of my favorites from the session. Chair Zombie Space Junk Counting in the Dark Group Juggle Stop Go Jump Clap Lily Pads Silent Lines
March 2024 Music Updates
by Music Rep, Amanda Clark (March.2024)
This month was full of exciting presentations! I was so glad to meet so many of you at NCTCA, ESTCA and GETCA. Thanks for attending my presentations. I hope they were helpful for you. If you have any feedback or questions feel free to email me at music@fineartsata.ca
The Transformative Power of Collaborative Art Projects
by Art Rep Izabella Orzelski (Feb.2024)
Art projects within the school environment play a pivotal role in shaping not just the aesthetics of the campus but also the sense of community among students, teachers, and staff. When executed collaboratively, these projects forge bonds of mutual respect and camaraderie, contributing to a vibrant school culture. As an art teacher, I have witnessed the profound impact of such initiatives, mainly when students, student teachers and art teachers come together to create lasting pieces of art that become a testament to the shared experiences within the school. One such transformative project was a large-scale mosaic in our school's foyer.
Edmonton Inter-School Dance Fest
by Dance Rep, Victoria Reid (Feb.2024)
What is the Inter-School Dance Fest? The purpose of the Inter-School Dance Fest was to bring together Dance students from various High Schools to take workshops, meet each other, build community and have fun! What were some highlights of this conference?
Drama Feature: Artstrek
by Drama Rep, Molly Danko (Feb.2024)
When I was in high school, I had the incredible opportunity to go to my first sleepaway camp. In early July I piled into my parents' car with too many bags in tow and drove down to Red Deer for a week at Artstrek. As a theatre kid, it was one of the best weeks of my life! Artstrek was filled with kids like me- Kids that loved theatre and wanted to learn as much as they could. From the moment my 'super' welcomed me into my dorm, I felt at home. The week flew by with full days of classes- acting, singing, mask work, tech, design, devising, etc.- themed games, and activities each night, themed warmups every morning, and of course many snack breaks and time to get to know all my new classmates. Each summer the students at Artstrek get to study a different play and work on it through different theatrical lenses. The first year I went, we studied Catalyst Theatre's production of Frankenstein, and I was hooked from the moment we started reading the play. As a 16 year old kid, Artstrek opened my eyes to so many new aspects of theatre I had never considered
Music Article
by Music Rep, Amanda Clark (Feb.2024)
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Hello Friends, It has been so long since I have written to you. Since I last wrote to you I have presented at both Beginning Teachers Conferences. It was wonderful to meet some of you there! If you are looking to meet me in person I will be presenting at NCTCA, Endless Sky and GETCA teacher conventions this month. I look forward to seeing some of you there. I would be happy to answer questions that you have related to the Fine Arts Council, music or even just to say “hi”. I would like to say a big thank you to those who joined us online for our PD session “Culturally Responsive Teaching”. It was a great start to Black History Month. If you are looking for more PD in that area I would look out for more presentations by Janice Pinnock, she was a very engaging speaker. This month I have highlighted a number of books for Black History Month. Click on the article link below to see the full list and the ideas.
Resilience Project, Inktober
by Art Rep Darrin Wilson (Oct.2023)
One of the better resources I have found for integrating more holistic learning opportunities in our classrooms is the Resilience Project. While I am the type that likes to have a physical copy of the resources I use in class – and at $50, it is a bargain to buy – the website provides the cards for free and a teaching guide as a convenient PDF. Each of the 50 art cards pertain to 50 different female Indigenous artists with guiding questions that help you and your students dissect and explore the artists’ respective works. They also supply clear learning outcomes that connect to each task, making this a truly comprehensive set that can be easily integrated into your regular teaching time. From this series, I wanted to highlight one task that I developed that expands on what has already been created for this set. And while I do explore the themes and ideas the artist has outlined in her work, I never appropriate or encourage students to appropriate the work being showcased. Below, you will find the links to the artist’s work and her artist’s statement, as well as supplemental resources that you may find useful while exploring her work. Finally, I have a brief description of what I did in my classroom in case any of you would like to expand on what has already been provided in the Resilience Project set.
Choreography Starters
by Dance Rep, Victoria Reid (Oct.2023)
Hello Dance Educators! Welcome back! I hope your startup has been wonderful! Now that we are in the swing of things, I thought I would share an awesome and easy way I incorporate choreography practice into my dance classes, by using Choreography Starters. Choreography Starters Background This is an exercise that I just recently started integrating into my dance classes. It is something I developed after many years of watching students struggle with the overwhelming panic when they had to begin a piece of choreography. No matter how much we explored improvisation and planned out our choreography there were still so many moments of students freezing and stressing, not knowing how and where to begin and feeling so overwhelmed before finally diving into their choreography. My goal was to adapt my practice for students to engage in more “off the cuff,” low stakes choreography exploration, so they could build more confidence and practice, so that when they did begin choreography for a summative project or performance, they had the vigor and assurance to start.
Kickstarting Your Year
by Generalist Rep, Izabella Orzelski (Oct.2023)
Igniting Creativity: A Guide for Art Teachers to Kickstart a Remarkable School Year Stepping into the shoes of an art teacher as the school year begins can be an exhilarating yet challenging experience. Every year ushers in a fresh canvas of opportunities and obstacles, shaping the artistic minds of our students. While each classroom may have its unique dynamics, there are foundational strategies that can set the stage for a successful and enriching academic journey. Picture this: a room filled with eager young minds, blank canvases waiting to be transformed, and a teacher poised to inspire. The first step towards creating an extraordinary art classroom is not just introducing yourself but creating a captivating introduction that goes beyond a mere name and title. I personally opt for a visually engaging PowerPoint presentation that showcases images relevant to the subject matter I'll be teaching. Whether you're a visual artist or not, sharing your own artistic creations can be a powerful way to connect with your students on a personal level.
ATA RESOURCES.
Have you checked out the ATA Collection of curated resources? Lessons and ideas are available across subject areas and grade levels. Click to read more: ATA LibGuides Curricular Resources