ABORIGINAL ARTISTS /
Exploring artistic expression in First
Peoples cultures
Level: Secondary 5
Pedagogical Intent: The activity is aimed at exploring the artistic expressions of Canada’s First Peoples through research work.
Task Description:
As a first step, the teacher will quiz the students about Aboriginal art. This will
be followed by an introduction to Frank Polson, an Algonquin artist from the
Témiscamingue Winneway community. Next, the teacher will present a list of
Aboriginal artists and artisans (singers, actors, painters, sculptors) and the students
will be asked to conduct a team research project on one of the artists. Finally, they will
form subgroups and take turns discussing their findings.
Cultural References: Aboriginal artists
Teaching Strategies:
Collaborative learning
secondary
Short version of the learning activity
The students research the subject and write a text respecting the various
aspects to be covered. (Teacher’s requirements)
Long version of the learning activity
The students research the subject and write a text respecting the various
aspects to be covered. (Teacher’s requirements)
They form subgroups and take turns discussing their findings.
5
Activity Evaluation sheet
School : _________________________________________________________________________
Title of activity : ____________________________________________________
Number of students: ___________________________________________________________
Very interesting
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Very
unsatisfactory
Please give your appreciation using the following scale:
Activity appropriate to the age group
4
3
2
1
Clarity of explanations
4
3
2
1
Activity content
4
3
2
1
Prescribed time vs. actual time
4
3
2
1
Ease of use
4
3
2
1
General appreciation (teacher)
4
3
2
1
Students’ appreciation (in your opinion)
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
Level of interest to redo this activity in the future
Relevancy of activity in relation to the pedagogical
intent
secondary
5
What went well:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Problem(s) met, if any:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Suggestions or recommendations to improve the activity:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Suggestions or recommendations to improve the Gabriel-Commanda Educational Kit:_____________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your participation in this project!
To print: USB key / Evaluation sheet
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY PLANNING
Level: Secondary 5
Lesson planning
ABORIGINAL ARTISTS
Time: 15 minutes
Material:
- Interactive board
Conduct
Ask the students if they know any Aboriginal artists (actor, musician, painter, sculptor).
Next, show them a painting by Frank Polson on the interactive board. Ask them what they see in this
artwork (See PowerPoint, slide 2)
Give them a good number of facts about the artist and show them his photo (See PowerPoint, slide 3)
Frank Polson is an Algonquin painter and sculptor from the Long Point First Nation in Winneway,
Témiscamingue. For the past 17 years, he has devoted his time to developing a style that is
contemporary yet also respects his Aboriginal tradition. His paintings represent memories of days and
nights spent with his father on traplines under spectacular sunsets. Frank Polson’s “Woodland” style
acrylic works are colourful and dynamic. His artwork has been sold worldwide and exhibited in many
Canadian and European galleries.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY PLANNING
Level: Secondary 5
Achievement of learning outcomes
ABORIGINAL ARTISTS
Time: 45 minutes
Material:
- Computer
- Internet connexion
- Pencil
- Paper
- Interactive board
Conduct
1. Tell the students that they will form teams to do research work. Ask them to choose a personality from
your list. (See PowerPoint, slide 4)
2.Once they have selected an artist, tell them about the research criteria. They will be required to
present their work in discussion subgroups.
• Artist’s name
• Artist’s picture
• Photos of the artists’ artworks or titles of songs/films/books
• Short biography
• From what nation does the artist come from?
• What does the artist tell us about his culture?
• What does the artist tell us about the history of the First Peoples?
• What is the artist’s contribution through his/her artwork?
3. Give the students time to conduct an Internet search and organise the information.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY PLANNING
Level: Secondary 5
Reflective sharing and integration of learning
ABORIGINAL ARTISTS
Time: 20 minutes
Material:
- Paper
- Pencils
Conduct
Invite the students to discuss their research findings in three subgroups.
Each team takes turn in shortly explaining the interesting aspects of their research to the other group
members while showing the artist’s photo and work. Rotate the teams every 5 minutes.