K-12

*ESL Learn Language Through Art Making

ESL

Teachers of ESL have become increasingly interested in the role that student-created images play in language learning: eliminating inhibitions and improving confidence, involvement and productivity. The wonderful experience of making an art object increases language retention and vocabulary for the new English student, as the process of acquiring language comes naturally to students who are involved in activities where they can find meaning, purpose and creativity within a studio context.

Choose a studio class and indicate whether your students are Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. Each class will practice the 5 levels of language learning : Reading, Writing, Speaking, Vocabulary, and Listening. You will receive a pre-visit and post-visit package which includes activities to stimulate ESL learning skills before and after the students visit Harbourfront Centre.

K-8
HALF DAY FULL DAY

ESL Clay Mask NEW!

ESL

Using a variety of hand-building techniques, students create their own 3-dimensional mask! Explore the history and use of the mask from a diversity of cultures through form, pattern, and texture.

• Discuss the physical properties and many uses of clay
• Create a mask which explores issues of identity and perspective within the students life
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with clay
• Learn and practice six levels of ESL throughout the programme

Grades K-4 (half day)
Grades 4-8 (full day)

Curriculum Connexions:
ESL curriculum
Visual Arts (Grades 1-8)
Heritage and Citizenship (Grade 5)

9-12
FULL DAY

ESL Clay Mask NEW!

ESL

Using a variety of hand-building techniques, students create their own 3-dimensional mask!

• Discover the history and the use of the mask as it relates to diverse cultures while exploring form, pattern, and texture.
• Discuss the physical properties and many uses of clay
• Explore issues of identity and perspective within the student’s life.
• Learn to use terminology & vocabulary specific to working with art materials

Curriculum Connections:
ESL
Visual Arts

9-12
FULL DAY

ESL Contemporary Clay Vessels NEW!

ESL

Explore the world of contemporary ceramic clay vessels:

• Visit the Ceramic Studio for an inside look at what's being produced right here at Harbourfront Centre
• Draw inspiration from traditional and contemporary hieroglyphs and other cultural iconography
• Design and create clay vessels with etched surfaces using hand-building techniques
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with art materials

Curriculum Connections:
ESL
Visual Arts

1-3
HALF DAY

ESL Discover The Waterfront Community NEW!

ESL, Urban Studies

Explore Toronto’s exciting (and growing) lakeside urban community!

• Consider the social and physical needs of residents in the area
• Observe the different ways people travel around an urban community and the wide range of occupations and service providers in the waterfront community
• Compare and distinguish features of urban and rural communities and investigate the interaction between the waterfront community and the environment
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to urban studies
• Learn and practice six levels English language skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Social Studies: The Local Community (Grade 1)
Social Studies: Features of Communities (Grade 2)
Social Studies: Urban and Rural Communities (Grade 3)

5-8
FULL DAY

ESL Government Exploration NEW!

ESL

See government in action! Experience life inside Toronto’s City Halls and Ontario’s provincial justice system, then discover the historical roots of these institutions on a fascinating walk through downtown Toronto.

• Attend a court in session at “Old City Hall” then meet with a Provincial Court Judge who will answer your questions!
• Learn about government in the days of the Old Town of York and compare it to how the City of Toronto is governed today
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to government exploration
• Learn and practice six levels English language skills throughout the programme
• Discuss reasons for democratic decision-making and the responsibility of informed citizens

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Social Studies: Aspects of Citizenship and Government in Canada (Grade 5)

9-12
FULL DAY

ESL Government Exploration NEW!

ESL

Take a fascinating walk through downtown Toronto and see government in action!

• Compare the Old Town of York to how the City of Toronto is governed today
• Discuss reasons for democratic decision-making and the responsibilities of informed citizens
• Attend a court in session, then meet with a Provincial Court Judge who will answer questions

Curriculum Connections:
ESL
Visual Arts
History
Law
Urban Studies

9-12
FULL DAY

ESL Our City NEW!

ESL

Gather data for your chosen research assignment on an explorative journey of Toronto’s Central Business District.

• See Toronto’s architectural heritage and its vision for the future
• Discuss architectural and design elements that make a structure distinctive
• View T.D Bank’s corporate art collection! Exclusive access!

Curriculum connections:
ESL
Visual Arts
History
Law
Urban Studies

7-8
FULL DAY

ESL Our City: Toronto NEW!

ESL

Gather data for your students chosen research assignment on an explorative journey of Toronto’s Central Business District and uncover the fascinating structures that make up Toronto’s Downtown.

• Gain insight into Toronto’s architectural heritage and its vision for the future.
• Discuss architectural and design elements that make a structure distinctive.
• Investigate the link between public art and architecture.
• Gain exclusive access to the 54th floor of the Mies Van Der Rohe T.D Centre and in this famous boardroom view some of the art pieces held in T.D banks corporate collection!
• Other places of interest include: The Royal York Hotel, B.C.E place and City Halls
• Learn and practice six levels English language skills throughout the programme
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to urban exploration

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Patterns in Human Geography (Grade 8)
Social Sciences and Humanities: Visual Arts (Grade 8)

9-12
FULL DAY

ESL Paper Mask NEW!

ESL

Explore the rich history and tradition of mask-making in many different cultures- students use their imagination to create their own mask!

• Through paper sculpture techniques, create a life-sized mask- explore and experiment with 3-dimensional forms.
• Learn and use terminology & vocabulary specific to working with art materials.

Available through Harbourfront Centre and as an In-School Programme

Curriculum Connections
ESL
Visual Arts

4-8
FULL DAY

ESL Paper Mask NEW!

ESL, In-School Programmes

Also available as an in school programme!
Explore the rich history and tradition of mask-making in many different cultures; students use their imagination to create their own mask.

• Discover the rich history of mask-making around the world from a range of cultures, from the past into the present day
• Using paper sculpture techniques, create a life-sized mask
• Explore and experiment with 3-dimensional forms
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with paper masks
• Learn and practice six levels ESL skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Visual Arts (Grades 4-8)
Heritage and Citizenship: cultural history & use of masks (Grades 5-6)

K-3
HALF DAY

ESL Rod Puppets NEW!

ESL, In-School Programmes, Performing Arts

Calling all young puppeteers! Discover the history of rod puppets and puppet-making from around the world. Create a one-of-a-kind two faced Rod-Puppet using wooden spoons and a variety of materials like wool, buttons, feathers, and patterned fabrics.

• Students use their imagination to create facial expressions and personality in their puppet through a variety of materials
• Participate in puppetry activities involving movement, expression and sound, with their new puppet
• Use techniques of collage in creating their unique puppet
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with rod puppets
• Learn and practice six levels ESL skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Visual Arts (Grades 1 – 3)
Drama (Grades 1 – 3)
Oral and Visual Communication (Grades 1 – 3)

4-8
FULL DAY

ESL Shadow Puppets NEW!

ESL, Performing Arts

Explore the ancient art of shadow puppetry and its South-East Asian cultural roots in this fascinating programme. Design and make a shadow puppet based on stories and fables and learn how to animate the puppet for a play.

• Reinterpret a fable as a contemporary story relevant to students’ lives and experiences
• Design silhouette shadow puppet characters, props, and scenery for the play
• Perform a play and tell a story with the new puppet
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with shadow puppets
• Learn and practice six levels ESL skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Visual Arts (Grades 4 – 8)
Drama (Grades 4 – 8)

9-12
FULL DAY

ESL The Artist Book NEW!

ESL

Pair this programme with a reading at YoungIFOA or ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers

Discover the rich art of books and contemporary bookmaking!

• Learn to use vocabulary specific to the books arts, and contemporary interpretations of the book as an art object
• Design, construct, and decorate your own hand-made accordion art book (with a hidden spine section)-perfect for journaling, sketching or writing

Curriculum connections:
ESL
Visual Arts

1-3
HALF DAY FULL DAY

ESL The Artist Book: Hand Made Accordion Books NEW!

ESL, Literary and Book Arts

Grades 1 – 3 (half day)
Full day option: pair this programme with a reading at YoungIFOA or ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers or Miss Lou’s Room Museum Experience
Using contemporary book artist methods, students create their own hand-bound book-perfect for journaling or making a storybook back in the classroom.

• Discover the rich art of contemporary bookmaking
• Learn and use vocabulary specific to the books arts
• Students design, construct, and decorate their own book using the accordion method
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with artist books
• Learn and practice five levels English language skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
English: Reading and writing (Grades 1 – 3)
Visual Arts (Grades 1 – 3).

4-8
HALF DAY FULL DAY

ESL The Artist Book: The Hidden Spine Book NEW!

ESL, Literary and Book Arts

Full day option: pair this programme with a reading at YoungIFOA or ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers
Using contemporary interpretations of the book as an art object create your own hand-made art book-perfect for journaling or making a storybook back in the classroom.

• Discover the rich art of contemporary bookmaking and book arts
• Learn and use vocabulary specific to the books arts
• Design, construct, and decorate an accordion book with a hidden spine section
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with artist books
• Learn and practice six levels English language skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Heritage and Citizenship: History of books (Grade 5)
Oral and Visual Communication (Grades 4 – 8)

K-3
HALF DAY

ESL The Painted Face NEW!

ESL

In this programme students will learn the history of the painted face in hunting, ritual and celebration, finding inspiration in a myriad of world cultures and traditions. Using pattern, students will create their own self-portrait inspired by their own unique visual language.

• Experiment with a variety of painting techniques
• Learn to develop symbols and shapes to express individuality
• Discuss grade appropriate colour theory concepts and terminology
• Use a variety of mediums within on piece (markers, paint, pastel)
• Learn to use terminology and vocabulary specific to working with paint
• Learn and practice six levels English language skills throughout the programme

Curriculum connections:
ESL curriculum
Visual Arts (Grades K-3)

Programmes: