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Big Ideas and Interdisciplinary Collaborations

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Interdisciplinary arts projects bring together artists from various disciplines and media to explore big ideas, challenge perceptions, discover new meaning and understanding of a topic all within the context of time and place, and relationships to events and to each other.

They begin with a Big Idea or question that inspires the artists, teachers, and students to build stories, songs, spoken word and dance that are then reflected in the visual art…or vice versa! These inquiry-based arts experiences lead to varied rich topics and engage students in a meaningful group creation resulting in remarkable visual art pieces, spoken word, song and musical compositions, and dance.

BIGIDEA3An inspiration for Big Ideas can come from stories, songs, poetry, proverbs and rhymes, great works of art, film and theatre, the spiritual and natural world, historical and current events, our community and world leaders. They are also integrated through cross-curricular subjects such as literacy and numeracy, geography, sciences, health and wellbeing, and character development. Students express their learning and creativity through various activities such as: songwriting and composition of sound scores, spoken word, and dance, together with beautiful works of art including murals, sculpture, installation, illustration, puppetry and mixed media. Each project leaves a legacy of learning along with a heightened awareness of the importance of the arts in our lives.

STEM to STEAM & Wellbeing

We are in an age of unprecedented rapid change and challenges, where traditional barriers are disappearing between disciplines, academia and industry, as well as between nations. The answers to tomorrow’s challenges cannot be found within one defined set of subjects or skill sets. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as artists and educators to provide our young people with the tools and opportunities to develop the myriad of skills, knowledge areas and just as importantly with the resiliency they’ll need to thrive in tomorrow’s world as well as to support and encourage them to explore and experiment with ideas, concepts and talent as they pursue the paths that interest them and bring them joy throughout their life-time.

BIGIDEA6We believe that Big Idea learning opportunities and STEAM – the integration of the Arts into STEM including the arts from oral cultural traditions where learning is passed on from generation to generation communally through story, song, dance or theatre, also provides a wider and more diverse context for all learning.

The following are a few examples of Big Ideas with MITS programs that link to various strands of the Curriculum that include STEM, Social Studies, Geography, History, Healthy Living and Wellbeing including Character Development and Social Justice topics that can be used to:

  • Introduce a unit of study
  • Provide a wider context for understanding concepts and transferring learning to other topics and experiences
  • Serve as inspiration for interdisciplinary creative arts project incorporating song writing, spoken word, dance and visual art for students to explore and express their learning

We would be delighted to discuss how we can assist you in bringing your Big Ideas and topics to your classroom. If you are looking for ideas – we invite you to visit SUCCESS STORIES for examples of past interdisciplinary projects.

BIG Idea – Identity 

In the introduction to Oral and Written Narratives and Cultural Diversity: Interdisciplinary Approaches editors Francisco Cota Fagundes and Irene Maria F. Blayer state that storytelling is ubiquitous, and identity remains central to our sense of selfhood and community – from family to clan to ethnic group to nation. Storytelling informs the most remote and current oral traditions and the most recent literary and visual narratives. In its myriad manifestations, storytelling is a singularly privileged vehical and tool for the search, construction, negation, and expression of personal as well as collective identity. (Fagunes and Blayer 2007)

Our Stories – with Mariella Bertelli, Rita Cox, Marylyn Peringer, Esther Oshche, Itah Sadu, Dan Yashinsky

Family stories and memories are the primary link to the DNA of our personal identity and the stories that have been passed on from generation to generation in the form of folk tales, legends and myths form our collective identity. MITS master storytellers bring their vast repertoire of stories to illustrate the concept of how our personal and collective stories form our identity as much as the cells that make up our physical selves.

 

Grades JK to 8 | 45-60 minute performance for up to 150 students or classroom visits

The Circle of Life: Traditional Ojibwa Legends And Stories with Esther Osche 

First Nations, Inuit, and Metis cultures have long passed on knowledge from generation to generation through oral traditions, including storytelling. Storytelling is a traditional method used to teach about cultural beliefs, values, customs, rituals, history, practices, relationships, and ways of life.

Ojibwa storyteller and Manitoulin Island resident, Esther Osche shares the history of the Ojibwa with stories about the connections between humans, animals, thunder beings, water and wind spirits in an authentic experience that incorporates drum and song. And for grades 7 to 8, Esther is also available for presentation regarding the history of Aboriginal Treaties and the military alliances between the Ojibwa, French and English, including many current and contemporary Aboriginal issues. Limited Availability.

Grades 3 to 8 | 2 classes/session | maximum 3 sessions/day

Six String Nation with Jowi Taylor 

Award winning journalist and radio producer Jowi Taylor invites students and teachers to become citizens of the Six String Nation and witness, through story and images, the creation of the Voyageur, the remarkable guitar crafted from over 60 pieces of Canada’s heritage and history that serves as an allegory to the big question – what makes us a nation?

Grades 4 to 8 | multimedia 45 minute multi-media presentation

Who Am I ? Spoken Word with Sheniz Janmohamed

“My heart lies in Africa/My spirit thrives in Canada/ My soul dreams of India” Sheniz speaks to her multicultural background, performing pieces that highlight the various cultures and traditions that make her who she is while providing an opportunity for students to reflect upon and celebrate their own diverse backgrounds and find strength in diversity. Following the performance, students can take part in a 5-day residency leading to a student showcase where students are given the opportunity to write and recite their own spoken word pieces reflecting on their learning of Identity while learning the art of recitation, gesture and delivery.

Grades 7,8 | spoken word | 45-60 minute performance with up to 150 students and 6-day series with introductory performance plus 4, 75-90 minute sessions per class culminating in student performance

Who Am I ? Dub Poetry with Michael St.George *limited availability

Students are first introduced to Dub Poetry, the contemporary spoken word art form originating in Jamaica with roots in the African oral tradition of the griots that inspires perceptive lyrics reflecting political, social and humanitarian elements and is driven by the captivating cadence of the reggae beat. Students then learn to collectively compose and perform their own dub poetry piece about their knowledge and impressions about Identity.

Grades 7,8 | dub poetry | 6-day series with introductory performance plus 4, 75-90 minute sessions per class culminating in student performance

BIG Idea – Stewardship & Sustainability 

The Earth We Share: Storytelling with Dan Yashinsky, Mariella Bertelli, Esther Oshe, Rita Cox, Marylyn Peringer 

Storytellers illustrate the concepts of stewardship and sustainability in allegory garnered from family tales, folk tales, parables, legends, and myths from around the world.

Grades K to 8 | 2 classes/session | 45-60 minute performance maximum audience 150, or classroom sessions maximum 2 classes/session

STEAM Life Systems
Biodiversity g.6
Interactions in the Environment g.7
Earth & Space
Water Systems g.8
Geography
Physical Patterns Changing World & Natural Resources Around the World g.7

The Nature of Poetry – Spoken Word with Sheniz Janmohamed

In this collective poetry writing exercise, students step into the natural world to discover and be inspired by local ecosystems and then work together to weave poetic phrases into a cohesive performance piece. Access to a natural setting such as a meadow, garden, pond, park or forested area is required.

Grades 6 to 8 | from 2-4, half-days per class culminating in student performance |One class per session

STEAM Life Systems
Biodiversity g.6
Interactions in the Environment g.7
Earth & Space
Daily Seasonal Changes g.1
Air Water in Environment g. 2
Soils in Environment g.3
Rocks Minerals g. 4
Conservation Energy Resources g.5
Heat in Environment g.7
Water Systems g.8

Water and the Earth – music and song with Chris Rawlings

From puddles to pebbles, oceans to mountains, children are surrounded by rocks and water no matter where on the earth they live. Drawing on both original and traditional songs, students sing along with Chris as they learn about the changes that occur when the forces of nature are applied to rocks and water, the significance of water on our ecosystems and ultimately our wellbeing.

Grades K to 8 | performance with up to 350 as duo

STEAM Life Systems
Needs Characteristics of Living Things g.1, Growth Changes in Animals/Plants g.2, 3, Habitats & Communities g. 4 Earth & Space
Daily Seasonal Changes g. 1,
Heritage Identity
Changing Families Community Traditions g.2

All The Seasons – music and songs with Ken Whiteley

Whether an overview of the year or a specific season, students discover the cycles, patterns and rhythms of the natural world and their influence on our cultural celebrations through musical genres of folk, calypso and the blues.

Grades JK to 4 | performance with up to 150 or classroom session

STEAM Life Systems
Needs Characteristics of Living Things g.1, Growth Changes iHabitats & Communities g. 4, Biodiversity g. 6
Structures & Mechanisms Movement
g.2, Strong Stable Structures g. 3, Flight g.6, Form & Function g. 7
Earth & Space
Daily Seasonal Changes g. 1
Social Justice Issues
climate change, extinction, inequity Healthy Living
Healthy Eating Wellbeing
Teamwork, Cooperation and Collaboration, Perseverance, Respect and Integrity

Bees That Dance – with Sarina Condello and Bailey Davis 

Through creative movement students explore the collaborative nature of honey bees, how they communicate, travel and interact. Students learn basic elements of choreography and improvisation to express their learning as well as their thoughts and feelings about bees demonstrating an increased kinesthetic, spatial, and rhythmic skills and effort awareness.

Grades JK to 8 | 5 day series with 4, 45-60 minute sessions per class culminating in a student showcase |One class per session | maximum 4 sessions per day

 

Bees that Sing and Tell – Bees Knees with Kathy Reid Naiman and Erika Jagaer 

Songs, stories, finger-plays, silly rhymes, tongue twisters and chants introducing young children to the importance of bees in a world that is becoming harder for the bees to thrive. Learn about bee anatomy, beekeepers, the different kinds and colours of honey, the amount of honey a bee produces, the different types of bees, and their social aspect.

Grades JK to 3 | 1 class/session – maximum 3 sessions/day or performance – maximum 100

STEAM Structures & Mechanisms
Material Objects Everyday
Structures g. Movement g.2 1
Force Causing Movement g.3
Social Justice Issues
climate change, extinction, inequity Healthy Living
Healthy Eating Wellbeing
Teamwork, Cooperation and Collaboration, Perseverance, Respect and Integrity

Musical Mystery Machines – music and song with Ken Whiteley

Award winning songwriter, Ken Whiteley, leads students in an interactive sing-along that develops and reinforces the themes, concepts and vocabulary of simple machines. From a definition of work, through force, incline planes and gears, young students will have a great time and the concepts and vocabulary will stick in a new way. This material, designed in conjunction with Mariposa In The Schools as an interactive support for the primary curriculum in science, was nominated for a Juno award and received an American Library Assocation’s Notable Recording Award. Complimentary recording and Teacher Resource material available.

Grades 1 to 3 | 2 class/session

STEAM Earth & Space
Space g.6
Heritage & Identity
Early Societies g. 4
Wellbeing – Character Development
Transcendence

Tales for a Starry Night – storytelling with Marylyn Peringer

Tales for a Starry Night – storytelling with Marylyn Peringer Listen to stories of the ancient science of astronomy and conventional knowledge of celestial phenomena. Students hear legends of the stars and constellations in world cultures, including those of early civilizations.

Grades 2 to 8 | performance maximum audience 150 or classroom sessions maximum 2 classes per session

STEAM Mathematical Processes
Representing and Communicating g. JK-SK

The Numbers Rhumba with Kathy Reid Naiman 

Kathy accompanies students on dulcimer and guitar as they participate in familiar and not-so-familiar rhymes, finger plays and songs to enhance numeracy.

Grades JK and SK, 150 as performance or as 1 class/session, maximum 3 sessions/day

BIG Idea – Living Well

 

STEAM Life Systems
Needs Characteristics of Living Things g. 1
Growth Changes in Plants g. 2
Healthy Living
Health Concepts, Healthy Choices, Connections for Healthy Living

Yum, Yum! A Celebration Of Food In Song – music and song with Ken Whiteley

Ken is serving up a fun and exciting mix of musical styles in a menu full of food facts and concepts about healthy eating and healthy living! Through music and song, students celebrate the wonder of planting a seed and watching it grow, appreciate how food gets from farm to plate, understand how our food choices can make both ourselves and society healthier as well as learn about the food groups and the science of eating.

Grades JK to 3, 4 to 8, 150 performance or 2 classes/session, maximum 3 sessions/day

Wellbeing & Character Development
Courage, Empathy, Respect, Justice, Integrity, Fairness, Transcendence
Heritage & Identity
Our Changing Roles Responsibilities g.1 Role of Gov’t Responsible Citizenship g. 5

Better With A Song with Ken Whiteley

Students come to understand how music can influence and propel positive change today with Ken’s rich repertoire of songs from the labour, civil rights, peace and environmental movements.

Grades 3 to 8, 9 to 12, 150 performance or 2 classes per session, maximum 2 sessions/day

BIG Idea – Our Home & Native Land

COMING SOON…..

BIG Idea – From Whence We Came

COMING SOON…..

 

 

 

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