Learning Through The Arts

From Arts in Guelph- May/June, 2003

by Anna Contini

Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) is an innovative program that combines the skills of local artists with core curriculum teaching. Unlike other fine arts programs, it does not focus exclusively on teaching youngsters one discipline, but rather uses the arts as a tool to teach subjects such as math, science, language and social studies. The goal of the program is to help students learn in non-traditional ways while encouraging the development of the whole child. LTTA was initiated by the Royal Conservatory of Music as a pilot project with the Toronto District School Board eight years ago. The program quickly expanded across Canada and internationally. Now LTTA is about to make its debut in Guelph.

George Doros is the Learning Through the Arts Regional Program Manager. He says that a number of schools in the Guelph area have expressed interest in the program. The program establishes long-term partnerships between teachers and specially trained artist-educators who serve as catalysts for change within the school. Some examples of LTTA activities include learning history through role playing, multiplication through songwriting, geometry through visual arts, social studies through storytelling and language arts through global percussion. Doros relays a further example of a singer/songwriter who used music to demonstrate the scientific concepts of translucent, transparent and opaque.

To ensure the success of the program, teachers and artists must work closely together as planning is essential, says Doros.

It has long since been shown that the arts can be a valuable teaching tool. The LTTA program recognizes that all children learn differently and therefore presents information in a variety of creative ways. Teachers and students alike have benefited greatly from this innovative program. In the next year LTTA will expand to include at least one school in all 72 school boards in Ontario. Given that this community is a hotbed of talented local artists LTTA will undoubtedly be a great fit!

For more information on Learning Through the Arts please contact George Doros, Niagara Catholic District School Board, (905)735-0247, ext. 118 or visit http://www.ltta.ca.