CREE CALENDAR – Shapes, Patterns, Cycles

Students will be able to:

• illustrate a month from the traditional Mushkegowuk Cree calendar;
• demonstrate an understanding of the changes, cycles and patterns that occur in nature through words and images;
• draw/paint geometric and organic shapes;
• create the illusion of depth in space using size;
• connect personal life experiences to their artworks.

Have students:

• explore other First Nations' traditional calendars;
• create a photo collage to illustrate another month in the Cree calendar;
• go for a nature walk to observe the natural environment, and to make some sketches or take photos;
• write a story about one of the images they drew, photo they took, or a natural object that captured their curiosity.

1. Prior to this lesson download images from the Internet, or find images in books or magazines of a variety of plants and animals, e.g., moose, geese, rabbits, frogs, eagles in Ontario.
   Rabbit
   Moose
   Canada Goose
   Eagle
   Frog
2. Download the PDF, Thirteen Moons Curriculum, by the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition, 2010.
3. Download images by George Littlechild, Canadian First Nations artist.
4. Prior to this lesson have students experiment in their sketchbooks with geometric shapes, using a pencil and ruler.
   - Encourage students to expore colour and contrast by filling in the shapes with a variety of colours.
5. Locate a map of Ontario that students can refer to.
   - Discuss the communities located along the western side of the James Bay coast.
   - Create a mind map of the types of animals and plants you might find in this area of Ontario.
6. Discuss and define organic shapes, and have students draw a variety of organic shapes from the class mind map.

1.  Introduce students to the artist, George Littlechild.
   - view a variety of George Littlechild's paintings
   - focus on how he created his background, e.g., using colour and geometric shapes
   - discuss how the backgrounds in his paintings communicate ideas and feelings
2. Use a circle as a symbol to discuss the four seasons and how they change in a cycle, creating a pattern.
3. Ask students to describe other patterns they see in nature.
4. Explain that the Mushkegowuk Cree people of the James Bay region have six seasons:
   - spring
   - blooming earth or break-up
   - summer 
   - fall 
   - freeze-up
   - winter
5. Add the two new seasons to the circle.
6. Show students where the Mushkegowuk Cree People of the James Bay Lowlands live.
7. Explain that traditionally First Nations People have used the moon as a way of understanding the passing of time.
   - each moon cycle is similiar to a calendar month
8. Share the 'Moons of the Cree Year' on page 18 of the Thirteen Moons Curriculum with the students.
9. Introduce the challenge.

1. Once all the artworks are complete ask students to bring their artworks into a large circle.
2. Invite each student to share how they made connections to the traditional Cree calendar month in their artwork.
3. During the circle discussion include references to:
   - contrast - how contrast draws attention to parts of the composition and moves the viewer's eye through the work
   - painting technique - how brushstrokes, texture, and application of paint affect the overall feeling of the work
   - shapes - how organic and geometric shapes communicate personal experiences of the artist
   - space - how the use of size and the placement of elements on the picture plane create the illusion of depth

1. Observe students as they work – exploring, experimenting, adding detail, thoughtful focus.
2. Listen to and observe students as they discuss the artworks – attentive listening, insightful contributions.
3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Download - Calendar_tracking.pdf)
4. Have students reflect on their own artworks in their sketchbooks. Ask students:
   - What worked well in you artwork? Why?
   - What would you change or do differently next time?
   - What connections did you make to the Cree Calendar from your own life experience?