Finding the Fine Arts in the Generalist Teaching World

Mona Lisa is a fabulous resource for any and all art materials you need for your classroom. And...teachers get a special discount! It's located just off 17th Avenue downtown, which is also a great reason to check out the new restaurants and pubs in the area. See below for their upcoming sale at the end of April...

Grade 1/2 classes are painting to Music! It has been a great experience with these students, and it is still on the go. This project has also been an excellent link to the Colour unit in Science and our School Development Plan on Reading Comprehension. I expanded the project to really break down the pieces that put an abstract painting together, but this concept of painting could be done once a month, where students create a collection, choosing their most successful paintings for a gallery. 1. Talk about abstract painting - Discuss with students their definition of "abstract" and why people create abstract images. Note any specific vocabulary they use: expression, emotion. - Google a variety of abstract images, paying attention to lines, shapes, textures and colours - Give students time to free draw to music 2. Choose the music students are going to paint. - Because I wanted variety in the kinds of paintings, I chose the "William Tell Overture", whi...

The Calgary and Regional Fine Arts Council (CARFAC) is currently looking for new members. This organization is dedicated to providing fine arts professional development opportunities in Calgary and the surrounding area. Please email Aisha Ward at  atacarfac@gmail.com  for more information on becoming a member. Additionally, if you know of an artist who would like to get involved in offering sessions to adults in the areas of Art, Drama, Dance, Music and Integration, please email Aisha Ward at  atacarfac@gmail.com .

Join the Calgary and Regional Fine Arts Council (CARFAC) for their professional development opportunities in Calgary! The following sessions are $15 each, from 4:30-6:00pm at David Thompson Middle School and East Lake School in Chestermere. March 23rd - Metaphorical Masks with Jill Winters: create dramatic masks and learn how they can be an excellent start-of-year project to build your classroom community. April 5th - Self Portrait Bean Bag Puppets with Wendy Passmore: create your lucky doppleganger to practice self-reflection and sewing skills! April 5th - Introduction to Watercolour with Shannon Roy: bring painting into your classroom in a functional way. For more information and registration, please visit  CARFAC Arts Opportunities  website.