Getting to know the arts is a vital component of any young person’s learning. In order for us to share the AGNS collection, and to reach out into our community, we have developed a series of art curriculum resource kits. These kits have been designed for early childhood educators throughout the province; we are confident that they will be helpful in your classroom. The kits include a text manual and a multitude of resources. The intent of the kits is to inspire you. Feel free to adapt the lessons. We hope some centres will develop their own teaching resources for the arts using the kits as a guide. We also want to hear from you. Please tell us about your extension ideas, the comments from the children, and your suggestions for additions and modifications to the kits.
Each lesson consists of information about a specific aspect of art making as related to an art work in the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The reproductions of the various art works have been chosen to reflect the overall topic of the Kit. Although the lessons are sequentially numbered, you may choose to start with the lesson which best suits the children's needs and interests. This is also true of the activities which follow each lesson. Please select lessons and activities that are most appropriate for your group.
Colour
This Kit explores the diverse world of colour in art. Children are introduced to different ways that artists can use the elements of colour in their art work. The Colour manual, designed to be a flexible and adaptable guide for your use, includes several thematic lessons.
Line and Texture
This Kit explores the use of Line and texture in art. Children are introduced to different ways that artists can use the elements of line and texture in their art work. This manual, designed to be a flexible and adaptable guide for your use, includes several thematic lessons.
Sculpture
The Sculpture Kit explores the three dimensional world of sculpture. Children will be introduced to the elements of sculpture and learn about a variety of materials, tools and techniques artists use to make sculptural works. This manual, designed to be a flexible and adaptable guide for your use, includes several thematic lessons. (Kit # 2: Line and Texture is a good follow-up to the Sculpture Kit, as the concept of texture, introduced in the Sculpture Kit, is explored in detail.)
Shapes
This Kit explores the use of shapes in art. Children are introduced to different ways that artists can use shapes as elements in their art work. This manual, designed to be a flexible and adaptable guide for your use, includes several thematic lessons.
NEW - Art and the Senses
Art and the Senses is the latest art kit developed by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in conjunction with the Department of Community Services and the early childhood education community. This kit explores how the senses help us understand more about our world and how artists apply this to their art work. This kit includes activities that can be adapted for children with various learning needs.
The manuals provide enough background for those who may not have
training or experience with the arts or art education to deliver
enriched art activities. For those who do have experience, please feel
free to adapt and enhance the material.
The manual is a guide offering four lessons that explore the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch. Your five senses play an important role in your daily life. Every moment in your life, you use at least one of your five senses. You see, hear, smell, taste and touch in order to adapt to a new environment. The five senses are important for everyone and the art activities in this manual will enrich all children’s sensory experiences.