Practical & Applied Arts

Dawn Kuppenbender, Superintendent of Learning (La Ronge Central Office) Email: [email protected]


The Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) are an integral part of the K-12 program of studies and play a significant role in developing the potential of all students.

The Practical and Applied Arts courses contribute to attaining the Goals of Education for Saskatchewan, specifically by:
 
  • Enhancing the quality of personal life.
  • Providing a balance of theory and practice.
  • Developing appropriate attitudes for lifelong learning.
  • Incorporating and enhancing the Common Essential Learnings including the acquisition and development of generic and specific entry-level employability skills which include academic skills, personal management skills, and teamwork skills.
  • Supporting career development principles by providing opportunities for career awareness, career exploration, and experience, as students begin selecting career pathways.
  • Applying and enhancing knowledge, skills, and principles developed through a multi-disciplinary approach to education.
  • Understanding the way technology supports and constrains personal and societal endeavors and how it is shaping culture and society.
 
The overall aim of Practical and Applied Arts is to reinforce essential theory and practice, and to apply a variety of skills in context. The goals describe the types of skills. The outcomes/ foundational objectives of each set of curriculum guidelines describe the context(s).

PAA courses will provide important learning opportunities for all students to learn and apply technical knowledge as well as improve technology, planning, personal, and teamwork skills.

The instruction of Practical and Applied Arts is a key component for NLSD schools.
 

Middle Years PAA (grade 7-9)

A middle year PAA Course is to be sensitive to NLSD values and culture and a course that can be successfully delivered within some of the challenges at some NLSD school settings. A few of these challenges might be: the access to equipment and resources, multi-grades and the planning time to create individual lessons for each grade level.

The provincial guidelines for PAA Survey Courses state: “the application of the Adaptive Dimension encourages teachers to adapt curriculum topics and materials instruction and learning environment to address diverse needs of students.” Thus, the rationale for a middle year NLSD PAA Survey Course is to meet time allotment requirements and align with the NLSD environment.

NLSD PAA Survey course modules have been outlined for certain grades to provide a level of consistency in PAA programming in NLSD schools, but also the need for flexibility to accommodate the various NLSD environments.