Cultural Art Journey

Prerequisite:

Open to students entering grade(s): Reception 2 to Grade 2

Course Description:

Cultural Art Journey is an engaging and playful course that introduces students to diverse art forms from multiple countries. This course aims to broaden students' artistic horizons as well as improve their motor skills through projects related to these art forms. By exploring a variety of artistic traditions, students will gain a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and develop their artistic abilities.

Throughout the course, the class embarks on a journey into the world of traditional art forms. With open minds, students will explore countries such as Poland to learn about Wycinanki paper cutting, Indonesia to discover the enchanting world of Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry, and Egypt to understand the symbolism of their jewelry, among many others. Additionally, students will enjoy Dance Fridays, where they will immerse themselves in the rhythmic movements of Brazil's Capoeira or the lively Moorish dancing in England. Through music and movement, students will experience the joy of cultural expression.

Learner Outcomes:

Students will:

• Learn about the historical and cultural significance of each art form, deepening their understanding of global artistic traditions
• Develop their motor skills and refine their artistic techniques by working with different mediums and techniques
• Develop coordination, rhythm, and body awareness through dance, enhancing their physical abilities and fostering a deeper connection between movement and expression
• Learn to respect and celebrate diverse cultural expressions, fostering global awareness and empathy

Methodology:

The class will be structured around a mini-lesson each day where each art form and its country of origin are introduced. Following the mini-lesson, a related art project will be presented and demonstrated to the class as a model. The children will then proceed to do the project.

During class time, various stations will be set up for children to freely create art with their friends. Some of the options are Grain Art, Stamping (with recycled materials such as dried lemon slices, bottle caps, or toilet rolls) and Paper Snowflake Making. Kids may enjoy the stations on their own or in collaboration with others, creating an atmosphere that promotes friendship and encourages playful creativity.