The Arts · Grade 6

Active learning ideas

Art and Social Change: Cultural Identity

Active learning works for this topic because students need to see, discuss, and create with artworks that carry cultural weight. Students engage directly with symbols, narratives, and personal stories, which helps them move beyond abstract ideas to concrete understanding. This hands-on approach builds empathy and critical thinking as they connect art to identity and heritage in meaningful ways.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• VA:Cn11.1.6a
• VA:Cr1.1.6a

• 35–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Gallery Walk
• 35 min · Pairs

Gallery Walk: Identity Artworks

Display 8-10 reproductions of artists' works on cultural identity. Students walk in pairs, noting symbols, colors, and narratives on sticky notes. Regroup to share findings and connect to key questions.

Analyze how artists use their work to affirm cultural identity.

Facilitation Tip

During the Gallery Walk, arrange artworks around the room and assign small groups to rotate every 3 minutes, ensuring all students contribute observations.

What to look for

Present students with two artworks that explore cultural identity. Ask: 'How do these artists use different visual strategies, like color or symbolism, to express their cultural identity? Which artwork do you find more effective in communicating its message, and why?'

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Jigsaw
• 50 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Heritage Focus

Assign small groups one artist (e.g., Skawennati, Lawren Harris). Groups research and present how the artist's work preserves heritage. Class jigsaw assembles full picture through rotation and discussion.

Explain how art can preserve and transmit cultural heritage.

Facilitation Tip

For the Artist Research Jigsaw, assign each group a different artist and provide guiding questions to focus their analysis on cultural identity and heritage.

What to look for

Provide students with a worksheet featuring a single artwork. Ask them to identify one symbol or element in the artwork and write 2-3 sentences explaining how it relates to the artist's cultural identity or heritage.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Socratic Seminar
• 45 min · Pairs

Identity Collage Creation: Personal Narratives

Provide magazines, fabrics, and drawing materials. Students select elements representing their cultural identity and heritage, then assemble collages. Pairs exchange for feedback before final presentation.

Construct an artwork that reflects aspects of your own cultural identity.

Facilitation Tip

In Identity Collage Creation, model brainstorming personal symbols first, then provide mixed-media supplies so students can blend traditional and modern elements.

What to look for

After students have begun creating their own artworks, have them participate in a 'gallery walk'. Students provide feedback to a partner using a simple rubric: 'Does the artwork clearly reflect an aspect of their cultural identity? Is one symbol or element used effectively to communicate this?'

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Socratic Seminar
• 40 min · Whole Class

Class Curation: Social Change Exhibit

Students vote on standout artworks from collages. Whole class curates a digital or physical exhibit with artist statements explaining identity themes. Host a walkthrough with reflections.

Analyze how artists use their work to affirm cultural identity.

Facilitation Tip

For Class Curation, give students a curation checklist with criteria like visual impact, clarity of message, and cultural authenticity to guide their selections.

What to look for

Present students with two artworks that explore cultural identity. Ask: 'How do these artists use different visual strategies, like color or symbolism, to express their cultural identity? Which artwork do you find more effective in communicating its message, and why?'

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should emphasize that cultural identity is fluid and personal, not static or monolithic. Avoid framing this as a history lesson; instead, focus on how artists use visual language to express lived experiences. Research shows that when students create their own representations, they better understand how symbols carry meaning across cultures. Keep discussions student-centered, encouraging them to share their own interpretations before introducing formal analysis.

Successful learning looks like students confidently discussing how visual elements in artworks reflect cultural identity. They should articulate personal connections in their own creations and evaluate how different artists blend tradition with contemporary issues. By the end, students can explain the role of art in affirming identity and sparking social change.

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Gallery Walk, watch for students assuming cultural identity art must show traditional objects only.

  Redirect students by pointing out modern elements in the artworks, such as contemporary clothing paired with traditional symbols, and ask them to explain how these combinations reflect evolving heritage.

• During Identity Collage Creation, watch for students believing only famous artists can address social change through art.

  Have students compare their collages to those of professional artists during the Gallery Walk, highlighting how personal stories can carry just as much power as historical narratives.

• During Class Curation, watch for students assuming cultural identity is the same for everyone in a community.

  Use the curation checklist to prompt students to select artworks that highlight diverse perspectives, then facilitate a discussion where they explain how each piece reflects a unique personal narrative.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Gallery Walk
• Jigsaw
• Socratic Seminar