Indigenous Artist Benjamin Chee Chee: Canada Goose Art Project

 

                                              

Truth and Reconciliation Day, observed on September 30, is a day for Canadians to reflect on the history and lasting impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous Peoples. In schools, it is often marked with learning activities that emphasize the importance of listening to survivors’ stories, acknowledging past harms, and committing to building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Students may wear orange shirts to honour survivors and those who never returned. The day focuses on raising awareness, fostering empathy, and encouraging ongoing action toward reconciliation.

In my Grade 10 homeroom, we explored the work of Benjamin Chee Chee, an Ojibwe artist from Temagami, Ontario, known for his graceful line drawings of birds and animals that reflect his connection to nature. After learning about his life and contributions to Canadian art, students tried to recreate one of his elegant Canada goose pieces using Sharpies and pencil crayons, which gave them a hands-on way to appreciate his style and artistic voice.

Looking at his work, I was mesmerized by the simplicity, the gracefulness and flow. 

I was inspired by THIS lesson on the Runde's Room website. 

                                      

                                     

Grade 10 students used their laptops to look up images of Chee Chee's work. They copied one of his geese onto cardstock in pencil. Then they traced over the lines with sharpies. 

Some finished artworks- my kids really enjoyed this project, even the 'non-artists' were really happy with their drawings!

Compass Rose Magazine Collage

 

This collage project was a really good freebie I found HERE. 

This is a great lesson for when you need Substitute Teacher like I did last week. 

The project is simple enough for someone not trained in Art to teach, yet engaging enough to keep the kids interested and working the entire class. 

It also reinforces good cutting and gluing skills.

I left this lesson for both my Grade 4-6 class as well as my Grade 7-9 class.

You simply need old magazines, scissors, Sharpies and glue sticks.

See my previous post about this lesson HERE.

Grade 7-9 compasses:

Grade 4-6 compasses

Imaginary Mixed Media Flower Paintings

This is a gorgeous lesson based on French/Canadian artist Sandrine Pelissier who lives in Vancouver, BC.  Students started off by looking at her flower paintings on her website HERE.

She has instructional books on how to create there- check it out HERE.

Here is the description from her website: 

Forgo reference photos and discover a more organic and joyful way of painting! With its friendly step-by-step format, Painting Imaginary Flowers features a simple, three-stage approach to creating flowers only you can make…

Drop in color (ink, watercolor or fluid acrylics) to create abstract backgrounds full of beautiful textures and “blooms.”

Just like spotting shapes in the clouds, search for shapes in your background that suggest blossoms and leaves. Paint around them and watch the flowers emerge!

Add patterns in pen to create a lovely, faux collage effect.

With plenty of mixed-media techniques throughout for building up luscious texture and color, even beginners can achieve happy results.

We used 9 x 11" heavy white paper. Students used the wet on wet technique to add drops of colour to their painting is a freestyle way.

Then they drew a vase in any shape and added flowers and leaves.

Paint the negative space with white paint. 

Use acrylics and paint pens to add colour to the vase and flowers and then add patterns. 

Grade 7-9 artworks!

 I love how they turned out!!

 

Winding One-Point Perspective Drawings

 

This is a lesson that has been floating around the art blogs for some time. I originally saw the lesson on the now defunct the Waunakee Community School District website, by art teacher Sophie Wagner-Marx. She had some great student examples and a handout posted- thanks Sophie!!

 

 This is a great lesson in both one-point perspective and creativity.

See all the steps I previously posted about HERE.

These are 12 x 18". Students used media of their choice to colour them.

Grade 7-9 finishes artworks: