The Arts

In this unit you will learn to dance and make music! In dance, you will explore the five elements of dance (body, space, time, energy and relationship), make body shapes that send messages, turn everyday movements into dance, and join moves into dance phrases inspired by songs, stories and poems. In music, you will keep a steady beat, clap and read rhythms with ta and ti-ti, explore high and low, loud and soft, and fast and slow, sing in unison, play home-made instruments and compose your own short songs. You will also discover music and dance in your own life and from many cultures, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions, and learn to watch and listen with respect.

You will need a little open space and some kitchen instruments (a pot, wooden spoons, a sealed shaker). Every lesson has hands-on activities, practice questions and a short quiz.

Curriculum expectations covered: Dance A1.1–A1.4, A2.1–A2.3, A3.1–A3.2; Music C1.1–C1.5, C2.1–C2.3, C3.1–C3.2 (The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: The Arts, 2009).

In this unit you will act and make art! In drama, you will pretend in role plays, step in and out of role, build on other people's ideas, show characters with your face, body and voice, and retell stories with simple props, costume pieces and sound effects for your family. In visual arts, you will explore the elements of design (line, shape, colour and texture), mix primary colours to make secondary colours, make rubbings, paintings, collages and sculptures about your own life, use contrast to make the important part stand out, and talk about art using "I see, I think, I feel, I wonder." You will also find drama and art in your community and learn about stories and art from many communities, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, with respect.

You will need paper, crayons, washable paint (red, yellow and blue), glue, playdough or clay, and a box of simple props. Every lesson has hands-on activities, practice questions and a short quiz.

Curriculum expectations covered: Drama B1.1–B1.4, B2.1–B2.3, B3.1–B3.2; Visual Arts D1.1–D1.4, D2.1–D2.4, D3.1–D3.2 (The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: The Arts, 2009).