Tipi Clay + History Program (Paired Experience)

Division: II

Location: Visual Art Studios and Musée Héritage Museum at St. Albert Place, St. Albert Place, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert, AB. (view on Google Maps)

Duration: 3.5 Hours (half day experience)

Volunteers: 4–6 recommended

Activity at Museum:

Students explore the role of mobility and seasonality in understanding the mîkiwahp (tipi/teepee) as a home for the Plains Cree.

Activity at Visual Art Studios:

Students apply their learning by creating a three-dimensional clay sculpture of a Tipi on a circular piece of land. Techniques include cutting, coiling, impressing and assembling clay.

  • Grade 3 Social: Time and Place: Cree First Nations
  • Grade 3 Social: Systems: Availability of natural resources
  • Grade 3 Social: Citizenship: Quality of Life
  • Grade 3 Science: Matter: Cree First Nations interact with natural materials
  • Grade 3 Science: Energy: Cree First Nations use simple machine to move objects
  • Grade 3 Science: Earth Systems: Interconnectedness of human activity and land stewardship
  • Grade 3 Science: Living Systems: Cree First Nations knowledge of plants and animals
  • Grade 3 Art: Use art to express feelings and ideas; look closely and focus on improvement
  • Grade 4 Science: Earth Systems: interconnectedness of Earth's systems
  • Grade 4 Science: Earth Systems: laws of nature and land management
  • Grade 4 Art: Develop realistic treatments, refine form, express feelings and ideas

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Teacher Feedback

My students loved the field trip. There is a good mix of teaching about the history and hands-on activities.

Holy Cross SchoolGr 2, “My School – Past and Present” at Little White School and “Work and Play” at St. Albert Grain Elevators

Perfect project to complement our learning in Science.

Wild Rose SchoolGr 3, “Metamorphosis” clay program - Art Gallery of St. Albert, St Albert Place Studios

The presentation was engaging and informative. It fit in wonderfully with our kindergarten curriculum and was a positive and meaningful experience for my students.

Windsor Park SchoolKinder, “I Belong” in-school Museum program

These were valuable and engaging programs for the students. They enjoyed learning a new skill and at the river lots they were encouraged to think critically and reflect carefully.

Leo Nickerson SchoolGr 5, “Learning from the Land” at the River Lots

My students loved it and couldn't wait to go home and show their creations!

Ecole HillgroveGr 5, “Needle Felted Owl” – Art Gallery of St. Albert, St Albert Place Studios

This program was fantastic. The students loved the opportunity to be in council chambers.

Albert Lacombe SchoolGr 6, “History of Local Government” Museum program

I have done clay projects with you for as long as I can remember. Once again, everything was AMAZING! We have a new grade partner this year who had never been, and she absolutely loved it! The instructors are always excellent, They explain and guide the students in manageable chunks to make it easy for the kids to follow along. I love that you allow extra parents to come and assist. I especially like that the projects are always connected to the curriculum! Thanks again.

Bishop David MotiukGr 3, “Nunavut Kayaks” Clay Program

The Peru and Indigenous Peoples of Canada program perfectly connected Gr 3 Social Studies content with some Gr 4 Social Studies content. We had lots to talk about after.

Lynnwood SchoolGr 3/4, “Peru and the Aboriginal People of Canada” Museum program

The instructor was amazing. She engaged the students in the Métis culture. The activity was hands on and informative.

St. Edmund SchoolGr 4 “Metis Contemporary Beading” Gallery Indigenous In-School Program

Amazing program with a knowledgeable instructor who engaged my students and me too! Thanks so much for offering this field trip.

Connections for LearningGr 3 “Tipi As Home” – Museum Program