Leading Tone Arts Productions' new production entitled "Arising Phoenix" provides a novel and exciting experience for students in the area of art integration. The program is suitable to all levels of students in Ontario schools from Primary to Senior. However, to make the most of the experience, it is worthwhile spending some classroom time engaging in introductory activities that prepare the students for the performance. The activities included have been specifically designed to introduce students to the issues, both environmental and artistic that "Arising Phoenix" presents.
The activities have been divided into the four divisions i.e. Primary (Gr. 1, 2 & 3), Junior (Gr. 4, 5 & 6), Intermediate (Gr. 7 & 8), Intermediate (9 & 10) and Senior (Gr. 11 & 12). Each set of activities is linked to both general and specific expectations from the new curricula from the Ontario Ministry of Education. The curriculum expectations are listed separately and provide a direct link between the curriculum and the activities themselves. The curriculum documents used were: Language, Arts (Music, Visual Art, Drama and Dance), Science and Technology and Social Studies in the elementary activities and the equivalent documents for the secondary ones. At times the expectations may be paraphrased or shortened because of the particular activity. Nevertheless, teachers can certainly use the activities knowing that they are addressing the needs of the curriculum.
For each division all of the activities except for the last two are designed as preparatory activities and would be done prior to viewing "Arising Phoenix" or "Dragon Tango". The remaining two activities are designed as follow-up to the performance. It must be said that it is not necessary to complete all of the activities although teachers might decide to do so. In addition, the activities can be done in any order whatever as they are independent of each other.
All of the activities presented herein have been vetted by currently practising teachers of each division. It is hoped that these activities will not only prepare your students to actively participate in the performance of "Arising Phoenix" but will provide invaluable assistance in helping to you to achieve your curricular goals.
