Arts Infused Learning: A Portfolio

Arts Infused Learning Program 2012

These are some photos of one of the school programs I took part in last year.
An Arts Infused Learning program serves as a great example of how art and
movement can truly be incorporated into any school curriculum.

Here is an article about this program that was published in the Canmore Leader:

Arts Infused Learning at Elizabeth Rummel

If someone was looking to gain a better understanding of what exactly the Canadian Rockies Public Schools' policy of "Inspiring Hearts and Minds" was all about, a recent pilot project for Grade 4 students at Elizabeth Rummel School might have been the perfect place for them to go.

The Arts-Infused Learning program brought artists and artisans from around the community into the school to help teach small groups of Grade 4 students in a discipline of their own choosing.

Kathleen Matheson, a music teacher at Elizabeth Rummel, said in addition to giving students the chance to experiment with different subject from what they were normally taught, the program also gave them the chance to learn from professionals and engage with successful people from their own community who they might not normally get to meet.

"They made connections with adults and had real relationships with real people, and you never know the affect that's going to have," she said. "But I think they were treated as adults and got to make choices about what they learned and how they learned and what they created, and I think they really respect that and I think they've grown from the experience."

Over four one-hour sessions, Matheson said the students developed an understanding and appreciation for the subjects they studied.

In photography for example, they experimented with portraiture, sports photography and photojournalism. Scriptwriters worked with two published authors to discover that the same subject material can yield very different results, and those who chose drama explored emotion and character development.

As for the students, the response to the program was overwhelmingly positive.

"You're learning, and instead of reading it in a book or hearing your teacher say it, you can experience it," said Pranavi Thota.

Grade 4 girls

"Dance Your Name"

Movement Map - Practice

Movement Map - On Stage

Drama with Joe Bembridge