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Learning Outcomes
LEARNING OUTCOMES
ONTARIO CURRICULUM OUTCOMES GRADES 5-8
The program meets the Overall Expectations for Grades 5-8 of the Visual Arts section of the Ontario Curriculum (1998) as follows: Students create two pictures that communicate their personal ideas (thoughts, feelings, experiences) using oil pastels and cartridge paper (we do not use wet media, as the students take their pictures from the studio into the gallery space); Students are instructed in principles of design (colour, shapes, balance, proportion, unity, variety, rhythm), and use these concepts in discussing the pictures in the exhibition in the NPCC gallery and their own pictures; the discussions are in small groups (no more than eight per group) led by an artist-teacher; Students discuss how the expressive qualities of the elements and principles of design are used to affect the viewer in the pictures they look at in the gallery and in their own pictures and those of their classmates; Students learn vocabulary and terminology appropriate to their grade level. In particular they learn the difference between abstraction and realism, and the power of colours to express feelings.
BEYOND THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM The ECD program produces outcomes that greatly enhance the Visual Arts Curriculum. In addition to critical thinking, which the curriculum calls for, the ECD program teaches symbolic thinking. By complementing reason with the imagination, ECD provides a more holistic model for instruction.
1. That the imagination is a great discovery Discovering the power of the imagination to access authentic, meaningful experience is a primary goal of the program. Most students are unaware that they have an imagination and are amazed to discover how it opens up a world of ideas, images, and feelings. And that it makes art fun. When asked, What did you find out about your imagination? Grade five children replied: I found out I have one. It's huge. Very powerful. Very big. Very fun. It goes wako sometimes. Full of details. A great place to be. It's cool. Very creative. It's not right or wrong.
2. The imagination is powerful and surprising: It can take you anywhere. I found out how to go somewhere without moving. I could do things that I don't ever think about. Almost everything can be imagined. I never knew I can imagine like that. Your imagination has no limits. A million times better than TV. and video games. I have a great creative imagination and open mysterious and unknown doors. That once you really focus on something your imagination will start to open up. I have a very imaginative brain.
3. That everyones imagination is different. When several students sit in front of the same artwork and make pictures on the basis of that experience, they see how very different they all are and that there is no single interpretation of an image: I learned that everyone can have a different view of the same thing. For example D---, C--- and I all had a different impression of the picture. That everyone could imagine different stuff in the picture. That I could imagine different things that no one could in the picture. That your imagination could be different from the rest.
4. That the creative process is transformative The program takes students through two phases of the creative process that results in two original pictures. The move from the first to the second picture can often be very striking. The second picture is often complementary in subject matter, feeling, and tone to the first. Where the first picture may be confused, with feelings of sadness, loneliness, and even anger, the second picture is typically more focused, well balanced, detailed in design, and vivid with feelings of peace, home, and joy. Often they depict islands that are secret, safe havens, and places of refuge. There is often a transpersonal dimension, with the students expressing ideas that are very profound and mature: Grade 5 girl: Its a whole new world if you dont think of boundaries. There are not walls for art. A grade 5 boy wrote on the back of his first picture: Once upon a time there was a boy named Lucaleshish. He was diferent from other kids. He used to get bullied by a kid named Chris. He always beat on Lucaleshish and one day Lucaleshish ran away. The End. The second picture is a picture of an island or a big rock with trees on either side and many birds in the sky. On the back he wrote: A place you can stay. A place you can be when you are alone. A place youll be safe. A place you can grow.
5. That the first picture is surprising The students go into the studio to make the first picture and are surprised by what happens. Few have ever made a picture out of their own heads rather than copy something that they are looking at. Letting the creative imagination direct the process is a new experience for most children, as they are making art in a way that is relaxed, spontaneous, and exploratory in an atmosphere that is relaxed, quiet, peaceful, supportive, and non-competitive.
6. That its OK to take chances and make mistakes; you dont have to like what you make for it to be good. I learned about art is that anything you draw is OK and nobody could make mistakes. I learned that I should just draw whatever I think of and something good will come out. I also learned that if I make a mistake it would be easy to fix if I think of different ideas. I found out there is no wrong or right way to make art. That there can never be a right or wrong answer in art.
7. That the imagination puts you in touch with your feelings Considerable emphasis is placed on getting in touch with the feelings. I learned that art can be fun, it opens your imagination and sometimes can express feelings of you inside. I learned that art has a lot of feelings. Art can leave you cold, or warm, happy or sad, strong or weak just by looking at it. I learned that art can be wonderful when it comes from the heart. Grade 5 boy: I found out a lot of art comes from feelings and ideas that are put together. Grade 5 girl: I found out that I had a lot of feelings that I could share in my artwork. Grade 6 boy: My first drawing surprised me because it was expressing my feelings. Grade 7 boy: My first drawing brought out strong emotions. Grade 8 girl: My imagination is crazy but has a lot of feelings and that I have a lot of love. Grade 8 boy: I found out the place I should go in my imagination when I'm sad, mad.
8. That the imagination enables you to do things that are unique and you never thought you could do I learned that I imagine a lot of things and also when I used my imagination to draw the painting I couldnt believe what I could do. I learned that using your imagination you will be able to draw something unique.
9. That the Exercise in Exploring is a learning experience The exercise for exploring is a learning experience: I learned how you could travel through the picture, absorbing and learning. My imagination made pictures with adventures. . . It signaled that I wanted to explore.
10. That the artwork expresses the individual student Expressing and sharing the thoughts and feelings that arise from these experiences helps students realize that their images are personal and unique. Bringing images from the deeper levels of the personality into conscious awareness and expressing them in an artwork gives the student a sense of being affirmed and mirrored as a whole person: Grade 5 boy: I found out I know more than I knew I knew. Grade 6 boy: This picture represents myself and what I life. Grade 7 boy: I found out I used all the elements and texture to make my imagination come true in my artwork. Grade 7 girl: I never thought my imagination was so deep. I found out my artwork symbolizes me. Grade 8 girls: I didnt know that my first drawing was going to have so many human qualities in it. I found out that my ideas are really good and if I look into them I will be good.
11. That you dont have to be good at art to enjoy it That if I try very hard at what I am doing I could do it. You could come up with something from nothing. That it shows even the worst person can do art. You dont have to be really good at it, just have to work hard. That if I take time at drawing I will probably do well. Sometimes you can draw good even if you think it looks bad. I found out that even if youre not happy with your art, someone else is.
12. That doing art improves self-esteem Even though some people didnt like my art I thought it was with my imagination a good drawing. I learned there is all kinds of art, messy and neat, rough and plain, etc. I also learned to not care about my art, the way it looked and be proud of my work. It turned out to be excellent Im nice and my drawing is nice. I learned that I could do anything I put my mind to.
13. That the program encourages creative writing The students are required to write on the backs of their pictures. We ask them to write single words, or poems, or stories that tell what their picture is about. Students who resist writing, find that they are making up poems and stories. Many students are surprised by how easily their ideas flow out in words as in visual images. Grade 5 My first drawing surprised me because I didnt know I was a poet. I found out I got some talent when it comes to story writing and poetry and expressing my feelings using colours and shapes.
14. That if you practice and keep trying you will get better at art and understanding images The program helps students to take ownership of the learning process: I learned that you have to have patient [sic] and lots of lots of curiosity and much imagination. That anything can happen and anything you imagine will always come true for yourself. It takes pashants and practys to make a master of art. That its all up to you, that it never ends, to never stop thinking. I found out you have to keep practicing to do better. That you imagination is really important. There are exercises to help it. It takes time to understand images: Sometimes you cant understand the picture right away, but once you look at it for a while you can understand it. That you look at art and find a picture that calls you, that you really have to imagine really hard. I never knew art was this hard but my work is what Im proud of. I learned about art that its all up to you and you never have to stop. I learned that my imagination never ends and that to never stop thinking.
15. That working on ones own in a relaxed, supportive, quiet environment is beneficial Many students say how much they enjoy the relaxed, peaceful, unstressful ambience and the ability to work quietly on their own. Teachers are surprised by the success of students (including ADD and special needs students) who normally are resistant to writing and/or drawing. One said, I never knew I could write poems so fast. You have to be unstressful so that you can draw. You also have to keep your mind thinking. I think art is more relaxing than anything else. I liked it because we had a chance to sit by ourselfs and think. We had the chance to seat by ourselfs and think, act, feel, draw different.
16. That sharing in the groups helps one learn about others When they gather in small groups, they are usually very shy to show what they have made. The leader says that when we make a picture its a gift we are making of something of ourselves to others. This usually breaks the ice and they are keen to participate. In the feedback, quite a few students comment on how the program made them feel connected, and they liked when we discussed our paintings and feelings and we get to know each other better.
17. That meeting real artists is exciting The students meet artist whose work is in the current show at the NPCC. The artists talk about their work and tell how they came to be artists, where they studied, how they decide on the subject matter for their art, and the techniques they use. When possible, the artists invite the students into the studios in the NPCC to see rug-making, print-making, etc. Many students remark on how exciting it is to meet actual artists. Grade 5: I got to meet a real life artist.
FEEDBACK FROM QUESTIONNAIRES
The students filled out a questionnaire at the end of the program with the following questions. A selection of answers is provided here from the classes in 2004:
Did your first drawing surprise you? Grade 4 Yes. Because it was not going to turn out this way. Yes. Because I didnt know what it would finish up like. Yes. Because usually I do normal drawing I dont do abstract that much but now I like it. Grade 5 Yes. Because I never knew I could do art that good. Yes. Because a lot of people really liked it. Yes. Because it was my first time at art gallery doing my own picture. Grade 6 I draw better than I thought. I didnt know I could do work like that. Yes. Because it was very powerful. Yes. Because I never knew I could draw good. Yes. Because I did not know I could. Yes. Because I never really really liked my art before. Yes. I didnt really think it would be accepted as nice, or make a poem up for it. Yes. It surprised me because I did to do something different than the picture from the gallery. Yes. Because I never knew that I could be artistic. Grade 7 Yes. Because it was very colourful and it scared me! Yes. Because I didnt know that thats what I would come up with. Yes. Because I didnt like it. Grade 8 Yes. I didnt know how free I could be with my drawings and what would happen if I did different things. Yes. I thought it would turn out better. Yes. Because I didnt know I could draw abstract.
What did you find out about you and your artwork? Grade 4 I found that I am very talented. I found out that my artwork was very weird to me but the second picture I liked better. I learned that I like the way I made it. I figured out that me and my art is funny. Grade 5 They reflected on me. That I can be good at art if I take my time. I had a big imagination and it expressed my feelings. I have a lot of imagination. I could draw good if I try. Grade 6 It was really creative. It was about my imagination Grade 7 That art doesnt need to be a specific thing it can come from your imagination. It represented a part of me. That I use my imagination when I draw. That if you let your imagination loose you might just create something very nice. Grade 8 That I can do anything and to let my hand take over instead of my mind. That it can be whatever I want it to be. My work reflect my mood and personality. I found out a new method to start painting and that you can draw from your emotions. It can be very abstract.
What did you like about the gallery section? Grade 4 The beautiful paintings and structures. Everything because I have never been to a art museum and in a art gallery. Very sad pictures. Grade 5 That everyone shares their ideas. That the colours were beautiful and it was welcoming. The art is amazing. I like the part when the two artists decide their pictures. Grade 6 It was very nice and peaceful. I liked every single thing about. I love the paintings and sculptures. It was interesting because I saw very beautiful art pieces. You get to see cool and soothing pictures. About the time where we discuss our paintings and feelings and we get to know each other better. I like that I got to look at the artist that did my favorite picture. Grade 7 I did not like anything in the gallery because nothing really appealed to my taste. I liked the pictures with beaches. I found the gallery section very interesting especially the horses. Grade 8 I liked the different methods/styles that they had up. Many different types of art. Figuring out what each piece meant.
What did you like about the time in the studio? Grade 4 It was very professional to work in there. I liked because it is quiet and clean. That we got to draw and share pictures. Grade 5 Making the pictures. I enjoyed it a lot it was beautiful. That there was no school. Grade 6 I could express my feelings We got to draw from what we felt. The drawing and the quiet. It was awesome. Because I use my imagination. I liked it because we had a chance to sit by ourselfs and think. We had the chance to seat by ourselfs and think, act, feel, draw different. It was fun and exciting. Grade 7 To explore my mind to draw a picture. I liked the time in the studio because you can express your feelings. It was fun learning different ways to draw. Grade 8 I could try out different techniques and be original. It felt good to get my imagination out in pictures. I got to see and experiment with my imagination. We got a chance to express ourselves through the drawings.
Have your ideas about art changed? Grade 4 I thought art was boring but it is interesting. I never knew art could be fun to do. The second picture made me feel better. Grade 5 Yes. Because I have new and odd ideas. Yes. I never knew there was all these different kinds. Yes. I never knew it would be so interesting and fun. No. I dont like art. Yes. I never thought it was fun but now I realized Im good at it. Grade 6 Yes. Because the second time my artwork changed. Yes. Because I see art differently and imaginative. Yes. Ive always hated and stunk at art. Now I feel a little more confident. Yes. Because now I like my art. Yes. Because I am more creative. Yes. I thought it was more difficult. Yes. Because now I look at art at a whole different angle. Yes. Because I know how serious art is. No. Because I still do love art the way I always have a still stare at almost every painting I see. (I stare in astonishment!) Yes. I have more feeling now. Yes. I never liked art before but Im starting to like it. Yes. Because Ive never felt like this before. Yes. Because now I know that I should express my feelings when Im drawing something. Yes. I am opened up liking to look at art. Yes. I thought that it had to be good in order to be art but it doesnt. Yes. I thought art had to be perfect but now I know there is never a right or wrong answer. Yes. I always thought that I could never do it -- now I know that anyone can. Grade 7 Yes. That art can be anything you want it to be. Yes. It has given me another way to look at art. Yes. I learned more about the opposite colours. Yes. I thought art was just a boring hobby but now I might just take an interest in it. Yes. My ideas now are better and now I have more confidence. Grade 8 Yes. I have a new perspective on things in life. Yes. They explained about getting your imagination going. Yes. I know that there are different kinds of art and different colours and strategies. Yes. Its more interesting and art represents emotions. You can draw spontaneously on what you feel. There are secret meanings in paintings and everyone interprets something different from a painting. Yes. I know how I can draw with energy. No. Because I always liked art, all the different styles, but Ill take a closer look now.
Role of Parents and Teachers The Curriculum encourages the involvement of parents. When parents accompany the class to the NPCC they are invited to participate in the program. They join the groups and show and discuss their pictures along with the students. The Teachers also participate. Parents and Teachers are invited to bring their students to the Show of Pictures and Poems held at the end of the series of programs. The students are very proud to find their pictures hung on the walls of the NPCC and that the printed Catalogue contains the poems and stories keyed to the pictures. Grade 5: My Mom also came to the trip. We also got similar imagination. I wish I could go back to see the wonderful people of the Milkweed Collective. Kids that go to any school should have a chance to go to this wonderful field trip.
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