Curricular Connections: Grades 5 to 8 – Art Contest

Curricular Connections: Grades 5 to 8

Contest Question | What role can I play in our democracy?

Defining Democracy

There is no single definition of democracy. It is a complex term that may be interpreted differently in different contexts. The following definition from the Canadian Library of Parliament may be a helpful starting point for students in Grades 5 to 8.

The word democracy describes a political system. In a democratic country, all eligible citizens have the right to participate, either directly or indirectly, in making the decisions that affect them. Canadian citizens normally elect someone to represent them in making decisions at the different levels of government. This is called representative democracy.

Big Ideas | Arts Education

    • Works of art influence and are influenced by the world around us (Arts Education 5).
    • Engaging in creative expression and experiences expands peoples sense of identity and community (Arts Education 6).
    • Experiencing art challenges our point of view and expands our understanding of others (Arts Education 7).
    • Artists often challenge the status quo and open us to new perspectives and experiences (Arts Education 8).

Additional creative inspiration can be drawn from:

Big Ideas | English Language Arts

    • Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens (English Language Arts: Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8).
    • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy (English Language Arts: Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8).
    • Developing our understanding of how language works allows us to use it purposefully (English Language Arts: Grade 6 and Grade 7).
    • Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world (English Language Arts: Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8).

Big Ideas | Social Studies

    • Canadian institutions and government reflect the challenge of our regional diversity (Social Studies 5).
    • Media sources can both positively and negatively affect our understanding of important events and issues (Social Studies 6).
    • Increasingly complex societies required new systems of laws and government (Social Studies 7).
    • Exploration, expansion, and colonization had varying consequences for different groups (Social Studies 8).