Drew helping with culture program

The grade 7, 8 amd 9 students at Bay d’Espoir Academy are involved with a hands-on learning experience as well know local artisan Clyde Drew will be teaching them the finer points of sculpturing and writing and recording music over the next little while.

Prncipal Conne Willcott said that the school was fortunate enough to receive a $4,000 grant through the department of Eduycation’s Cultural Conenctions Program which is sponsoring the program for the junior high classes.

The sculpting class will have the student learning to sculpt his or her own piece of artwork from exploring their cultural connections.

The music composition will involves them creating their own lyrics for a song piece accompanied with the melody and chord progressions to their own composition.  The students will then record these compositions using Mr. Drew`s recording technology. 

While the students will get to enjoy an ativity-based learning program, it’s going to be a busy schedule for all involved.

This class project covers several different curriculums such as language arts, social studies, and religion.  The students will be involved in writing and other ways of representing to extend learning, produce a range of writing forms, demonstrate a commitment of crafting pieces of writing and will be expected to examine the historical impact on beliefs, cultures and traditions.

The students will also be expected to examine the historical impact on beliefs, cultures and traditions.  They will demonstrate their understanding on how to find out about the past, an understanding of the Aboriginal people who lived in the 19th century, and understanding of the nature of culture on beliefs, cultures and traditions.

“This project will provide many benefits to the various partners in our learning community,” said Connie Willcott, Principal.  “Students will be given the opportunity to work in collaboration with other students on the project, in a creative manner.  They will develop a quality end product that they will be extremely proud of. In addition, they will be given the chance to showcase their pieces which is a great way to build confidence.”

Drew stated that he is very excited to be working with each class.

“Today we only touched on a small part of learning how to carve but they will learn more as they continue.  I think the students realized today in the sculpting class that it is not easy to carve but with someone to help guide them, maybe a few may go on to be carvers down the road, who knows,” stated Mr. Drew.

 Drew will share his techniques of sculpting and lead them through this artistic process. The final creation will be available after for the general public to view and hear. 

The students will have their own carvings to display and their own cd released for the public to view, and hear, through their local community channel. Parents/guardians will receive an invitation to view the showcasing of the students work during an afternoon fair. 

This project will be posted on the school’s web page, which will allow a global audience to view the student’s final product and gain an appreciation of the process.

Clyde Drew, living presently in St. Alban’s, grew up listening to the songs and stories of his people, the Mi’kmag nation, in and around his home community of Conne River.  

Clyde has recorded several cds and has a great rapport with the youth in the community and the students respect his work.  He often works with the school’s music program and in volunteering for Christmas concerts with his sound expertise.

Cultural Connections

In 2005, the Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation joined together to develop a provincial fine arts and cultural strategy for K-12 education in Newfoundland and Labrador called Cultural Connections.   This initiative aims to increase the presence of cultural content in the school curriculum and foster links between the arts and school communities. The goals of Cultural Connections aims to encourage and to develop foundation skills in music, theater, visual arts and creative writing, which may prepare them to aspire to professional training career opportunities in the fine performing arts. 

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, especially the younger population, will grow in their understanding and appreciation of the unique culture in Newfoundland and Labrador and will develop a critical awareness of the role in the arts in creating and reflecting their heritage.