Bata Shoe Museum

A field trip to the Bata Shoe Museum can enrich learning in almost any subject area! We offer a variety of programs for grades JK-12 with links to the Ontario curriculum. Why shoes? Although feet are the same around the world, what people choose to wear on their feet is incredibly diverse. It is in this diversity that some of the most interesting aspects of culture are revealed.

Guided Programs and Self-guided Visits Kindergarten Programs (50 minutes): Kindergarten programs include a gallery visit, plus a Hands-on Artefact Session where students get to handle and examine museum objects up close, and a try-on shoe session. Grade 1-8 Programs (60 minutes): Grade 1-8 programs include a gallery visit, plus a Hands-on Artefact Session where students get to handle and examine museum objects up close. Grade 9-12 Programs (60 minutes): Secondary level students participate in a 1 hour guided tour. Alternatively, teachers may request a 30 minute guided tour combined with a 30 minute Hands-on Artefact Session or How to Read a Shoe Session (see below for details). Grade-9-12 ESL Programs (60 minutes): These highly participatory tours engage students in conversation, encourage questions, and give learners an opportunity to practice their language skills. This program includes a gallery visit and a Hands-on Artefact Session.

Grades JK-8 Curriculum Connections
Kindergarten: Personal & Social Development; Language; Science & Technology; Visual Arts
Grade 1: Science and Technology (Understanding Structures and Mechanisms; Materials, objects, and everyday structures)
Grade 2: Social Science (Communities Around the World; Traditions and Celebrations)
Grade 4: Social Science (Early Civilizations) Grade 5: Social Science (First Peoples)
Grade 6: Visual Arts (Elements and Principles of Design)
Grade 7: Science and Technology (Structure and Function)
Grade 8: Visual Arts (Elements and Principles of Design)
*Visual Arts and First Peoples Programs may be requested for all grade levels

Grades 9-12 Curriculum Connections Grade 9-12 Subject Areas: Visual Arts, Native Studies, Fashion, IAPS (Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology), History

Customized Tours We will consider requests from teachers for customized programs based on other areas of study or units (i.e. language projects, Fairy Tales, etc.)

Hands-on Artefact Session: Who says you can’t touch at the Museum! Enhance your visit with multisensory and tactile experiences through our Hands-on program. Your students will get to examine objects up close while experienced guides explain the fascinating stories behind the shoes. Tactile experiences benefit kinesthetic learners, and help communicate key information to English Language Learners and those with low vision. Hands-on Artefact Sessions are available for all grades upon request.

How to Read a Shoe Session: In this 30 minute session, students are introduced to the concept of reading artefacts. While working in small groups, students learn to ask important questions and search for clues that reveal information about many aspects of the object. This session is ideal for grades 7-12.

Guided Add-on Program: Extend your visit to 90 minutes with our popular Paint-a-Clog workshop.  Each student receives a miniature clog imported from the Netherlands to decorate and take home. There is an additional charge of $7 per student for this option.

Full Day Programs Grades JK-12, Visual Arts Program: Combine your visit to the Bata Shoe Museum with a trip to the Gardiner Museum. Gain inspiration from the shoes at the Bata Shoe Museum in the morning, and then take your class to the Gardiner Museum in the afternoon to make a clay shoe. The Gardiner Museum is within walking distance of the Bata Shoe Museum: 111 Queen’s Park, just south of Bloor Street West. There is an additional charge of $9 per student for this option (total cost of $15 per student). To arrange the second part of this full-day program, call the Gardiner Museum at (416) 408-5064.

Self-guided Visits Self-guided visits with groups of 10 or more students are asked to book their visits in advance. Our education staff can make recommendations of approaches you can take with your class while visiting the museum. We recommend a maximum of 90 minutes for a self-guided visit.

School Program Rates 1 hour Guided Tours and Programs – $6/student Self-Guided Visits – $5/student Paint-a-Clog Workshop Add-on – $6/clog Accompanying teachers, education staff, attendants, bus driver, and five chaperones per class will receive complimentary admission.

Lunchroom School groups may reserve the use of the lunchroom at no added cost. The lunchroom allows seating for up to 48 people. Please reserve the lunchroom at the time of booking (subject to availability).

Exploring the Galleries We suggest allowing 30 minutes after your guided program for discovery of the rest of the museum. Teachers and chaperones are kindly asked to ensure that all students are adequately supervised while inside the museum and are following their museum manners.

How to Book a School Visit Email Andrea Field at education@batashoemuseum.ca with your school's name, phone number, grade, class size, preferred date and time of visit, if you require the use of the lunchroom, and any other relevant information. Guided programs are available from 10am-4pm Monday through Friday.