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feature I b y Jacquie M o r g a n Imagine learning science through dance, language arts through storytelling or math through music. That is w h a t many North Vancouver elementary school students will be doing this year. Learning Through The where they work on projects t h a t inspire rewarded by their experiences. "The highlight of my experience in this program was creativity, i m a g i n a t i o n , inventiveness a n d amazement. The program encourages f l e x i b l e thinking in students and brings about teacher discussions, collaborations and professional d e v e l o p m e n t . A r t i s t s attend professional development w o r k shops that prepare t h e m to w o r k in and their watching grade 7 students delve into the w o r k w i t h such enthusiasm," w r o t e one artist. Another artist working w i t h a group of Grade 2 / 3 students writes, "They were very enthusiastic about, and creative in making puppets. When it came time to do a presentation of the t w o stories they had been w o r k i n g on we had them in four groups. Each group listened well to the others and gave good constructive critiques." Arts, a program and philosophy teachers and practicing artists of all disciplines, form partnerships to teach required curriculum through an art form together in the classroom, has been at Westview and Monteray Elementary Schools for the past t w o years. In September 2002 Cove Cliff, Braemar and Norgate Elementary Schools introduced Learning grades 1 and 4. Through The Arts in the classroom w i t h t h e t e a c h e r s brainstorm on ways to adapt particular art form to the curriculum. Three d i f f e r e n t a r t i s t s w o r k in t h e c l a s s r o o m on particular curriculum items for three sessions each year. Challenged t o a d a p t their particular art f o r m to meet the Teachers learn new ways of integrating the arts into the curriculum w h i l e observing their students' g r o w t h and enthusiasm. A Grade 1 / 2 t e a c h e r w o r k i n g w i t h a musician o n the curriculum area of social and emotional development notes, curriculum, artists create exciting and Recognizing t h e r e are m u l t i p l e w a y s of knowing and learning, this program i n n o v a t i v e a c t i v i t i e s t e a c h e r s can t h e n apply to other areas o f learning. A unlocks t h e p o t e n t i a l o f m a n y s t u d e n t s w h o are o t h e r w i s e h a r d t o r e a c h . By creating a partnership b e t w e e n artist Grade 1 / 2 t e a c h e r w r i t e s , " M u s i c can be a p o w e r f u l m e d i u m f o r t e a c h i n g a curricular s t r a n d . " . " W h e n t h e a r t i s t played d i f f e r e n t selections of music on the piano, the students w e r e able t o articulate h o w these selections evoked certain feelings / moods. and teacher, students a n d teachers alike discover n e w w a y s o f l e a r n i n g while exploring h o w to do things that challenge a n d i n t e r e s t t h e m . Science class comes alive for students recreating tattle* * 0 w ; Their e x p l a n a t i o n s r e l a t i n g t o tempo, r h y t h m , pitch etc. w e r e impressive." snowflake patterns w i t h their bodies. History is f o r e v e r r e m e m b e r e d when Originally created by the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Learning Through The By incorporating the creative, visual, musical and spatial abilities of children in their learning experiences we acknowledge m a d e i n t o t h e lyrics f o r a r a p s o n g . Language Arts become fascinating or various ways of learning and bring the joy of success to more children. when puppet making, storytelling drama is involved. Arts is now in schools in major cities across Canada and has been introduced in New York, Sweden, Italy and the Yukon. Children Learning Through The Arts includes all come alive, and are enthusiastically What: Through How: M a k e a d o n a t i o n or sponsor a The Arts program Learning s t u d e n t s in l e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t are based in t h e arts. Teachers observe w i t h d r a w n or anxious students shine; in some i n s t a n c e s f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , as engaged when learning becomes a playful experience of wonderment! Artists sharing their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their particular art form are profoundly C o n t a c t J a c q u i e M o r g a n , Leo M a r s h a l l Curriculum Centre, 810 West 21st Street, N o r t h Vancouver, 604.903.4770 N o v e m b e r | D e c e m b e r