Welcome to Cycle One of the Professional Learning Module for the implementation of the revised Ontario curriculum document, The Arts, Grades 1-8, 2009.  In this cycle you will be uncovering the foundations and importance of the Arts in the curriculum.

The following on-line activities are the foundation for further professional development which could take place at your school during staff meetings, divisional meetings and during professional development days.

Activity One: Reflection

“Since arts experiences offer other modes and ways of experiencing and learning, children will have opportunities to think and feel as they explore, problem solve, express, interpret and evaluate the process and the results.  To watch a child completely engaged in an arts experience is to recognize that the brain is on, driven by the aesthetic and emotional imperative to make meaning, to say something, to represent what matters."

The Arts Go to School

David Booth and Masayuki Hachiya, eds.

(Pembroke Publishers, 2004) p.15

 In your classroom, under what conditions have you witnessed a child “completely engaged in an arts experience”?  If you like, you are welcome to share your response on our discussion board. To do so, click here.

Activity Two:  Arts in Education

To expand your knowledge of Arts in education, take our on-line quiz. To begin,

click here.

 Activity Three:   Professional Reading

To learn more about Arts in Education, visit the ministry website. To begin, read pages 3-10 as you click here.

Congratulations! You have completed Cycle One of this Professional Learning Module.

For a summary of the Key Learnings, click here.