Field Trip: Musee Beaux Arts

I took my students in the “Modified” and “CASP” program to the Musee Beaux Arts to participate in the “Sensory Based Explorations of the Museum” program.

I tied the programming into the curriculum that I have been teaching at school. We made connections between a large sculpture of a head to the lesson on face proportions that I had taught at school. Students made observational sketches.

In class, we have also been learning about the Colour Wheel and had the chance to look through various coloured lenses at huge towering sculptures at the MBAM.

We contemplated shape and pattern later on, observing a large powder coated steel sculpture and making our own geometrical formations with the magnet toys provided by the MBAM in the sensory supplies pack.

Students practiced life skills such as taking a school bus, walking with the group, not touching the art, moving from one room to another, self-soothing using headphones & fidget toys. For many students, this was their first museum/gallery experience. Overall, they were very excited!

You can find out more about this valuable programming for learners on the Autism Spectrum at the links below:

https://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/activities/a-sensational-supply-pack-for-a-sensory-based-exploration-of-the-museum/
https://mhrc.emsb.qc.ca/inspirations/articles/mmfa-presents-supplies-pack-for-families-of-autistic-children

Textiles: Tie Dye!

How can I begin to describe teaching and learning from my students at REACH? Learning about what teaching to people with disabilities is all about has been a huge eye opener.

First thing that comes to mind is how invisible this demographic of people is in our society. If you grew up neurotypical, and you went to neurotypical school and then maybe even on to higher education…you’ve probably had a similar experience as I have had: achieve good marks, explore in your 20s, find a career in your 30s…etc etc. There isn’t really much taught about what can be learned when we slow the pace down. What is it like to just pause and consider…maybe even support…someone else’s experience of living in the world?

Our education system is too often “go, go, go” …”achieve achieve achieve”. This year of teaching has taught me the value of slowing down…appreciating the mini achievements…give my students time to adapt to new situations…let them teach me how to teach.

The photos below are of the final art project of the 2023-2024 school year that I did with my secondary students at REACH school in Saint Lambert. Good ole’ fashioned Tie Dye!

Visual Arts Centre: Ceramics

In 2024, I started teaching part-time at the Visual Arts Centre in Westmount, Quebec. All students in this course are adult learners and come to the course with a diverse range of ceramic skill from novice to experienced artists.

In the photo gallery below, you will find a variety of images of my own teaching demos including: Pinch Pots, Stamp carving, Relief additions/ carving, Cylinder seal stamps, Maiolica glaze testing as well as some selected student works.

With permission, I have shared photos of student works in progress as examples of some of the hand building projects that I have supervised. The vase and cutwork lampshade are by Sophie Gosti (@sophiegosti), and the rocking horse is by Stéfanie Meesen (@atelier.meesen).

You can find out more about the Visual Arts Centre by following this link:
https://www.visualartscentre.ca/

Cyanotype: Name Plates Project

I developed and taught this lesson in Cyanotypes for my students in the “Modified” program in Quebec.
In this project, students chose their own pieces of plants to expose on cotton fabric which had been painted with the photo sensitive Cyanotype solution. Students then chose letters from the wooden alphabet tiles laid out for them. Students in this group have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum & Downs Syndrome.

* Student names have been blocked from visibility to protect their identity from publication, with the exception of my own name, Claire. *

Drawing: Self Portraits Project

This is a project I developed and taught to a group of Secondary level students in the “Modified” curriculum in Quebec. Students in this group have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum & Downs Syndrome.

The lesson was carried out over the course of 3-4 classes. In the first class, I lead students through a step-by step breakdown of how to draw facial proportions. This sketch was used as a first draft before drawing on the larger poster board. Next, students chose colours that represented their eye, skin, and hair colour. Finally, I introduced the concept of a “background” and students used rulers to map out a simple horizontal stripe background and chose colours for each stripe.

I think this was the most rewarding project I taught all year. I loved seeing how my students chose to represent themselves. Some chose to hilight their new facial hair, while others drew themselves donning the same accessories of a beloved cartoon character.

Much is put upon these students by society, taking away their agency and voice, so there it is powerful to witness my students through their own eyes and their own hands.

* All images are of student work, and are published anonymously to protect student identity. *

Collage: Eric Carle Themed Project

I developed and taught this lesson to a group of students in the “Modified” curriculum in Quebec. Students in this program have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum and Downs Syndrome.

In this project, I taught students about the life cycle of a caterpillar into a butterfly. First, I showed students the animated short story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, then I drew student’s attention to the textures used in the collage work of artist and author, Eric Carle. Next, students painted sheets of paper with a variety of media and techniques including watercolour, print making, stamping, sponge painting etc. Finally, I presented students with the outline of a butterfly and students ripped up pieces of painted paper and glued them to the template to create the final collaged image.

* All images in the gallery below are of student work. Students names have been removed to protect identity. *

Print: Prints with Everyday Objects

I developed and taught this lesson for my students in the “CASP” program in Quebec. Students in this group have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum and are non-verbal.

The focus of this lesson was to improve fine motor skill by controlling the movement of the roller and the ball. The activity was also engaging on a sensory level for these students by virtue of the textures on the bubble wrap and paint. In this lesson, we practiced repetitive rolling motions with bubble wrapped cylinders and styrofoam balls dipped in paint.

* Student names have been blocked from visibility to protect their identity from publication *

Frottage: Textures Project

I developed and taught this lesson on textures and “Frottage” print-making for students in the “Modified” and “CASP” program in Quebec. Students in this group have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum & Downs Syndrome.

In this project, I started by discussing what various textures feel like: Rough/ Bumpy/ Smooth/ Squishy etc. We then went on a walk outside and went on a scavenger hunt for these various textures. With each texture, students felt and described (if verbal). I then instructed students how to use a crayon on its’ side to capture the texture below on a paper. I also encouraged students to use two colours for a contrasting effect, teaching them about the colour wheel. Each student had a stapled booklet and clipboard to travel around with.

* Student names and faces are not represented in the photos below in order to protect their identity *

Painting: Abstract Art & Colour

I developed and taught this lesson in Abstract Painting and Colour for my students in the “CASP” program in Quebec. Students in this group are non-verbal and have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum.

In this project, students indicated which colours they wanted to use and painted them on the canvas in their own unique fashion. Teacher discussed how different colours evoke different feelings and sensations. For example: Red/Hot/Angry, Blue/Cold/Sad, Orange/Warm/Happy, Yellow/Warm/Excited. While students painted, we watched slow motion flowers in bloom on the SmartBoard with instrumental music to encourage a calm atmosphere.

* Student names have been blocked from visibility to protect their identity from publication, with the exception of my own name, Claire. *

Photography: MultiMedia

I have always loved photography as an art form and as a way to document and re-contextualize our memories / experiences.

In 2021, I had the pleasure of teaching a 100% contract for the school year as a MultiMedia Art teacher.

Below, you will find some of my own images that I have used as Demos to teach different concepts such as:
perspective, depth, composition, photo collage, digital photo editing, graphic design & illustration etc.

As I look back on my teaching career so far, it is nice to compile a selection of teaching demos to use again or build off of for the next time.

Simple Sewing: Paper Sculptures

I developed and taught this lesson to groups of students in the “Modified” and “CASP” curriculum in Quebec. Students in this program have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum and Downs Syndrome.

This project focused on developing the following skills: Colour identification and sequence in a spectrum, Sewing/ Fine motor skills, following a repeated sequence of actions.

* All images in the gallery below are of student work. Students names have been removed to protect identity. *

Collage: Springtime Insects

I designed and taught these lessons for my students in the “CASP” program in Quebec. Students in this program have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum and Downs Syndrome.

In this lesson, I started by discussing the change of seasons from winter to spring. We watched a video about insects that fly in the air and insects that crawl on the ground. Using paper plates, I mapped out the areas to paint with a sharpie and had students paint within the lines. I then lead students to decorate the plates with scrunched up tissue papers and glue. Bodies and wings were cut out by students, following a template, and testing their scissor skills. Some students used a modified type of scissors that are easier to use with limited motor function.

* Student names have not been included in order to protect students’ identity *

Weaving: Over/Under

I developed and taught this lesson to a group of students in the “Modified” curriculum in Quebec. Students in this program have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum and Downs Syndrome.

The focus of this project was to develop sequencing and how to follow a repeated pattern of actions.

Before teaching this lesson, I had given students exercises in pattern and repeating patterns through shapes on a grid. For the project, students had to cut their strips of paper, practicing cutting skills with scissors. Some students used a modified pair of scissors designed for limited motor ability. Students practiced weaving over and under with highly contrasted colours of paper strips.

* Student names have not been included in order to protect students’ identity *

Pointillism: Fall Leaves Project

I developed and taught this lesson for my students in the “Modified” program in Quebec. Students in this group have disabilities ranging on the Autism Spectrum and Downs Syndrome.

In this lesson, I presented students with the concept of Pointillism through presenting the famous Pointillist work by GEORGES SEURAT, UN DIMANCHE APRÈS-MIDI À L'ÎLE DE LA GRANDE JATTE, 1884-86.

I showed students a zoomed-in version of the painting and asked students to describe what it looked like from up close versus from far away, changing our perspective.

I then moved into a discussion of our current surroundings in the fall and the changing leaf colours. We identified some of the colours found in fall leaves. Finally, students traced their hand for the tree shape and used Q-Tips dipped in paint to dab a pointillist-type image of a fall tree.

Summer: Kids in Clay

This is a 1 day workshop that I designed and lead in the summer of 2023 at the Chester Arts Centre in Nova Scotia, Canada.

If you are curious to learn more about the Chester Arts Centre, follow the link below:
https://www.chesterartcentre.ca/