Michelle's Maple Tree
Meditations on Montessori and Contemplations on Children.
Friday, October 6, 2023
Exploring the Mi'kmaw Sacred Teachings
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Celebrating Mi'kmaq Artists: Alan Syliboy
Alan Syliboy
Alan still lives and works in Millbrook, NS, where he was born and raised. He creates his art in his studio in Truro, NS."
Friday, June 9, 2023
Celebrating Pride Month at Maple Tree: June 2023
Celebrating Pride Month: June 2023
Rainbow Art in the Classroom
Books That Celebrate Diversity and Pride
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Artist Study: Nova Scotia's Maud Lewis
Maude Lewis
Maude Lewis was a Canadian folk artist known for her brightly colored paintings of rural life and nature. Born in 1903 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Lewis lived with a physical disability that made it difficult for her to walk or use her hands. Despite these challenges, she developed a passion for painting and became one of Canada's most beloved artists.
Lewis began painting at a young age, using materials such as cardboard and other found objects as canvases. She developed a unique style characterized by bold, vibrant colors and simple, whimsical compositions. Her paintings often depicted rural scenes, such as farmhouses, animals, and landscapes, and were inspired by her love of nature and her life in rural Nova Scotia.
Lewis's art gained recognition in the 1960s, when a collector discovered her work and began selling it in galleries throughout Canada. Despite her newfound success, Lewis remained humble and continued to live a simple life, selling her paintings for only a few dollars each.
Today, Lewis's art is celebrated for its unique vision of rural life and its bright, joyful colors. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is included in the collections of major art galleries throughout Canada.
In addition to her artistic achievements, Lewis is also remembered for her perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite her physical challenges and a difficult life, she found joy and beauty in the world around her and expressed this through her art. Her story is a testament to the power of creativity and the human spirit, and continues to inspire people of all ages today.
In conclusion, Maude Lewis was a Canadian folk artist whose vibrant paintings of rural life and nature continue to captivate audiences today. Her unique style and joyful approach to art have made her one of Canada's most beloved artists, and her story is a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance. Lewis's legacy lives on, inspiring new generations of artists and art lovers alike.
When we started our artist study, we spoke about Maud and the challenges she faced with her disability. She had a hard time using her hands and walking, but that didn't stop Maud from creating beautiful paintings that depicted bright and joyful scenes. Just because someone looks different from us, doesn't mean they have to live a different life, they can also express creativity and create something beautiful. Studying artists like Maud Lewis is one of the many ways we're looking to celebrate diversity at Maple Tree to create a more inclusive community inside and outside our school walls.
To start our Maud Lewis adventure, we chose to depict a classic Nova Scotia scene: the clock tower at Citadel Hill.
Children traced the shape of the clock tower, and added the small details such as windows, doors and of course the clock. We added beautiful bright colours just like Maud.
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Celebrating Black Artists: Black History Month

Creating abstract art allows children to take risks and experiment with new forms of self-expression, which can help build their confidence and self-esteem. When children are given the space to explore and experiment with abstract art, they can feel proud of their creations and gain a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, abstract art often requires children to use their hands and fingers in new ways, helping them to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This can be especially important for children who are still learning to control their movements and dexterity.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Exploring Indigenous Art-Truth and Reconciliation Day
How can we recognize Truth and Reconciliation with children? By celebrating the Indigenous People in our communities.
Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity to honour the trauma and healing experienced by residential school survivors and “to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” (Government of British Columbia, 2021).
Starting a dialogue about the relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people is an important part of Truth and Reconciliation,
In the Front Room of Maple Tree, we have started a special project focusing on local Indigenous artist: Darren Julian. "Darren Julian is a First Nation Mi’kmaq artist originally from Afton, Nova Scotia. He now lives in Wagmatcook, Cape Breton. Inspired by his late father who was also an artist, Darren started drawing at a young age. Since these early years he has been improving all aspects of his work with paints, and other artistic mediums. Mr. Julian is an entirely self-taught artist, who continues to explore the Mi’kmaq culture and the beautiful land that surrounds him"(Down To Earth Art Gallery).
For this project, I invite children into the front room where they can see a picture of the artist, and some of his works. We speak about Mr.Julain and the community he lives in, as well as the types of things he likes to paint. I ask the children what they see when they look at his work.
H said: "I see my mommy (pointing to the bear figure) and my daddy (pointing to the figure of the man)"
R said: "I see people looking at themselves in a mirror"
M asked me: "It's your turn, what do you think is happening here?"